Road Diet, More Proposals Near Vienna Metro The Focus Of Public Hearing

VIENNA, VA — Planned changes near the Vienna Metro station, including a road diet, will be discussed during an upcoming public hearing.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 17. at 7 p.m. on the design of planned changes. The changes are focused around the north side of the Metro station at Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard between Sutton Road and the ramp to westbound Interstate 66, and along Sutton Road between Blake Lane and Country Creek Road.

The project seeks to improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety, access and connectivity to the Vienna Metro station. The project is in the design phase. Construction is expected to start in summer 2024.

During the public hearing, VDOT and Fairfax County will share more information about the planned bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Interim improvements will include creating a two-way cycle track on eastbound Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard between Sutton Road and the Metro North Parking Lot entrance with restriping and barriers, adding a buffered bike lane on Sutton Road between Sutton Green Court and Country Creek Road, upgrading pedestrian signals, and installing related signs and pavement markings.

Final planned improvements will include the road diet along Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard from Sutton Road to the Metro North Parking Lot entrance. According to VDOT, a classic road diet involves changing a four-lane, undivided street to a three-lane street with two through lanes and a center, two-way left-turn lane and bike lanes or paved shoulders. This portion of Country Creek Road and Virginia Center Boulevard is undivided and has two lanes in each direction and additional turn lanes in some portions.

Additional final improvements planned by VDOT and Fairfax County include adding shared-use paths along Blake Lane and Sutton Road from the I-66 bridge to Country Creek Road; adding a separated two-way cycle track with adjacent sidewalk along Country Creek Road/Virginia Center Boulevard; consolidating and relocating of bus stops; realigning the I-66 westbound ramp to Country Creek Road; modifying traffic signals at the Sutton Road and Blake Lane intersection, Country Creek Road and the ramp from westbound I-66, and Country Creek Road and Vaden Drive intersection; and installing new pavement markings and signs.

Residents can learn more and provide feedback at the public hearing on the design. To register for the public hearing, visit virginiadot.org/ViennaMetroBikePed. To join with listen-only mode, listen-only mode, call 877-309-2074 with access code 302-267-074. Comments may also be provided by email to meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov, by voicemail to 703-259-1794., mailed to Mr. Zamir Mirza, Virginia Department of Transportation, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, or by in-person appointment. In-person appointments can be requested at VDOT’s Northern Virginia District Office at 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA by calling 703-259-1794.

In the case the public hearing has to be rescheduled, the alternate date is Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

See the project page for more information.