Walking, Biking, Transit, and Driving

Fairfax County Government maintains a large portfolio of transportation improvements across the county focused on safety, congestion relief, and multimodal mobility.

Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash

The projects aim to:

Improve traffic safety and congestion

Expand sidewalks, trails, and bike infrastructure

Enhance access to Metrorail stations and transit

Close missing pedestrian or bicycle network gaps

Support multimodal transportation rather than just vehicle traffic.

Major Types of Projects

Roadway and Intersection Improvements

These projects modify roads to improve traffic flow and safety. Examples include:

Balls Hill Road & Old Dominion Drive realignment (fixes skewed intersection)

Backlick Road / Industrial Road improvements (adds a left-turn lane and sidewalks)

Route 28 widening to reduce congestion and improve travel reliability. Key outcomes:

Better traffic signal operation

Reduced congestion

Safer intersections

Sidewalk and Pedestrian Projects

A large portion of FCDOT projects build or upgrade sidewalks and crossings.

Examples:

Chain Bridge Road sidewalk

Chesterbrook Road walkway

Sleepy Hollow Road sidewalk improvements

Little River Turnpike walkway Common improvements:

New sidewalks and curb ramps

Pedestrian signals and crosswalks

ADA accessibility upgrades

Bus stop improvements.

Bicycle and Shared-Use Trails

Several projects expand bike connectivity and shared paths.

Examples:

Cinder Bed Road bikeway connecting to a Metro station

Shreve Road shared-use path connecting to the W&OD Trail

Mason Neck shared-use path Goals:

Create continuous bike routes

Improve safety for cyclists

Link neighborhoods with transit and parks.

Metro Station Access Improvements

Some projects specifically improve access to the Washington Metro Silver Line stations.

Programs include:

Reston Metrorail Access Group (RMAG)

Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study (TMSAMS)

Pedestrian bridges, sidewalks, and bike routes around stations.

Corridor and Regional Initiatives

Larger efforts address entire corridors or regional connectivity.

Examples:

Embark Richmond Highway – long-term multimodal planning for the Route 1 corridor

Prosperity Avenue road diet – converts traffic lanes to protected bike lanes

Soapstone Connector – new road connection across the Dulles Toll Road.

Fairfax County’s transportation program is heavily focused on multimodal infrastructure, not just road expansion. Many projects fill sidewalk and bike network gaps, improve transit access, and make intersections safer while also addressing congestion in major corridors.