ICYMI: Crystal City Is About To Lose A Street

Editor's note: This article was originally published earlier this week.

ARLINGTON, VA — A street in the heart of Crystal City faces demolition to make way for more development in this already densely packed part of Arlington.

The elevated portion of S. Clark Street between 12th and 20th streets has been targeted for demolition, and the Arlington County Board considered a $6.3 million contract for removing it over the weekend.

It's a major part of the Crystal City Sector Plan and the Crystal City Multimodal Transportation Study, according to the Arlington County website.

"[The South Clark-Bell Street Demolition project] will improve safety for all modes of transportation and will establish the long-term street grid for the north and south portions of Crystal City along with the 15th Street South/South Clark-Bell Street Realignment project," the site states. "The elevated portions of South Clark-Bell Street will be demolished north of 18th Street South. South of 18th Street South, new open space will be created in the existing roadway right-of-way and new sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting along U.S. Route 1 will be provided.

"The project will also establish new building pad development sites for redevelopment of Crystal City, with the necessary infrastructure to transform the U.S. Route 1 corridor in Crystal City on the east side," the site adds.

Under the plan, officials would also make traffic signal upgrades at 20th Street S. and Route 1.

Ardent Company LLC was the winning bidder on the project. Construction is set to begin this fall and finish by the summer of 2019.

Image via Arlington County.