County Approves $5.7M for Columbia Pike Improvements

The Arlington County Board on Saturday unanimously approved a $5.7 million contract to bury utility lines and construct street improvements along a portion of Columbia Pike.

The improvements are part of the second phase of the county's Columbia Pike Initiative, according to a news release. The affected portion of the Pike is between South Wakefield Street and Four Mile Run Drive.

Once utility lines are underground, Alexandria-based will begin building wider sidewalks, new lighting and bus shelters, and planting trees along the street.

Work is slated to begin in July and last through fall 2013.

“These street improvements bring us one step closer to realizing Arlington’s vision for an accessible, diverse and vibrant Columbia Pike,” Arlington County Board Chairwoman Mary Hynes said in a statement.