The document summarizes a public hearing presentation for a proposed project to grade separate the W&OD Trail from Wiehle Avenue in Fairfax County, Virginia. The project aims to improve safety by eliminating conflicts between vehicles and trail users and allowing free-flowing traffic. The proposed design would raise the trail over Wiehle Avenue on a bridge and close the existing at-grade crossing. Dominion Virginia Power electrical lines would also be relocated as part of the project. Feedback was requested on bridge type, retaining wall finishes, medallions and other aesthetic elements. Anticipated project schedule was provided.

1. County of Fairfax, Virginia
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Design Public Hearing Presentation
for:
Wiehle Avenue at W&OD Trail
March 17, 2016

2. County of Fairfax, Virginia
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Location Map
Department of Transportation
PROJECT
SITE
WIEHLE-RESTON
METRO STATION

3. County of Fairfax, Virginia
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Existing Conditions
Department of Transportation
• W&OD Trail
– 10 ft. wide paved asphalt trail
– 10 ft. wide gravel/dirt trail
• Wiehle Ave (Urban Arterial)
– 24,000 AADT
– 2 NB lanes, grass median, 4
SB lanes
• At-Grade Crossing
– Crosswalk (75’ L x 40’ W)
– Pedestrian/Bicycle Signs

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Safety Concerns
Department of Transportation
• Crash Data
– 7 reported crashes from
June 2011 to June 2015
• Crash Types
– Vehicle vs. Vehicle
– Vehicle vs. Trail User
• Different Behaviors
– Cautious
– Confused
– Oblivious
– Careless
Is she
really
going?
Are they
going to
stop?

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• Safety Improvements
– Eliminate conflicts between vehicles and trail users
– Minimize vehicle rear-end crashes
• Free-Flow Traffic
– Alleviate sudden stops for vehicles traveling through
intersection
– Provide an uninterrupted route for trail users
• Public Enhancement
– Present viable options to the local community for their
input
– Adhere to the aesthetics and history of W&OD Trail
Purpose & Need
Department of Transportation

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Dominion Virginia Power (DVP)
Department of Transportation
Single-Circuit 230 kV Monopoles
Double-Circuit 230 kV Towers

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DVP Electrical Lines
• Initial Relocation Plan
– 5 to 6 concrete monopoles
– 15 ft. south (CL of poles)
• Guidelines for Design
– 25 ft. from conductor lines
– 25 ft. workspace around
poles
– 20 ft. through access for
maintenance vehicles
– 18 ft. maximum width for
structures
• Ongoing Coordination
Department of Transportation

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Underground Utilities
Department of Transportation
Water
Gas
Electric
AT&T, Cox, Comcast,
Verizon, L3, Zayo

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Proposed Trail Alignment
Department of Transportation
• Grade separate W&OD Trail over Wiehle
Avenue
• Merging paved trail with gravel trail for
bridge crossing
• W&OD Trail Profile
– 3% vertical grade vs. 5% vertical grade

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Design Details
Department of Transportation
• Access to Wiehle Avenue will be provided
• At-grade trail crossing at Wiehle Avenue
will be CLOSED
• Widen sidewalk along Wiehle Avenue
• Designed to follow DVP offset guidelines

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Typical Section
Department of Transportation
Trails merge to meet DVP structure
width requirements

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Bridge Typical Section
Department of Transportation

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Ongoing Studies
Vertical Grade
• 3% Vertical Grade
– Preferred grade per NVRPA
– Easier ride for bicyclists
– Bigger project footprint
– More impacts and higher costs
• 5% Vertical Grade
– Allowable grade per AASHTO
– Harder ride for bicyclists
– Smaller project footprint
– Less impacts and lower costs
• 4% Vertical Grade?
Other Items
• Wiehle Avenue Connection
– Prohibit mid-block crossing
– Evaluate crosswalk just north of
Sunset Hills Road
• Trail Merging
– Unite paved and gravel trails before
bridge
– Provide signing to trail users
• Drainage/SWM
– Provide closed drainage system to
collect storm runoff
– Consider water quality and quantity
Department of Transportation

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Maintenance of Traffic
Wiehle Avenue
• Road and Bridge
– Temporary traffic controls
– Off-peak hours
• Midday
• Nighttime
• Adjacent Sidewalk
– Bypass Options
– Detour Options
W&OD Trail
• Gravel Trail
– Permanent controls
– Prohibit use
• Paved Trail Open
– Leave open
– Safe from work areas
Department of Transportation

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Requested Feedback
• Bridge Type/Finish
• Retaining Wall Formliner Finish
• Medallion
• Other
Department of Transportation

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Prestressed Concrete
Department of Transportation

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Steel Girder
Department of Transportation

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Truss
Department of Transportation

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Truss
Department of Transportation

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• Retaining Wall
Formliner Finish
• Medallions
Aesthetic Options
Department of Transportation

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Anticipated Schedule
• Public Hearing – Winter 2016
• Environmental – Winter 2016
• Land Acquisition – Spring 2018
• Final Design – Winter 2018
• Utility Relocation – Summer 2019
• Construction – Winter 2021
Department of Transportation

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Questions
Department of Transportation