More Than 34 Miles in New Bicycle Lanes to Be Added in Fairfax

Fairfax County will get about 34.6 miles in new bicycle lanes or markings, as the Virginia Department of Transportation starts its summer paving program, according to a news release from the county.

See maps here.

These new facilities, on about 20 roads, will expand Fairfax County’s planned 1,130-mile bike network. Today, there are 353-miles in bike lanes, shared-use paths and trials, including about 55 miles of on-street facilities. The VDOT improvements move forward Fairfax County’s 10-year Bicycle Master Plan adopted last fall, according to the news release.

By mutual agreement, the state transportation agency and the county partner to identify, design, and implement bike projects as part of VDOT’s repaving program. This partnership is an important tactic outlined in the county’s bike plan.

As a result, many more bike lanes are being added. VDOT will add the greatest number of miles this year, about five times more than its previously greatest amount before the county’s bike plan existed.

VDOT says it plans to start work in June, and the improvements include:

• Slightly shifting or narrowing lanes to accommodate bike lanes
• Placing shared-lane markings, known as “sharrows,” on the road to help increase awareness of cyclist activity
• Several “road diets,” where in certain locations, a travel lane is replaced with elements such as left-turn lanes and bicycle lanes, which can help reduce speeding and increase safety for all users.

Specifically, the following improvements will be added:

• 4.8 miles of “sharrows”
• 19.4 miles of bike lanes
• 3.6 miles of buffered bike lanes
• 6.8 miles of climbing lanes

The approximately 20 projects will help link schools, business districts, Metro stations, government facilities, and areas in Tysons.

Fairfax’s bike plan calls for new facilities and infrastructure, including:

• On-road bike lanes, shared roadways, striped shoulders
• Shared-use paths
• Trails
• Bicycle and pedestrian bridges and overpasses
• Intersection improvements
• Trail access improvements
• Installing bike racks or secure parking at transit stations

Many on-road bike lanes called for in the plan can be created by reconfiguring existing road markings. Almost all of the county’s existing on-road lanes were installed at no cost through VDOT’s repaving projects, like the ones announced for this summer.

Fairfax County’s bike network will create a connected network that will allow bicyclists from age 8 to 80-plus to enjoy a safe, easy way to ride. To find routes available today, consult this online bike map or download the Bike Fairfax mobile app.

IMAGE courtesy of Fairfax County