This presentation on snow removal and lighting on trails in Tysons was presented to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee on July 19, 2016.

1. A Fairfax County, VA, publication
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
Working for You!
Tysons Trails: Snow Removal and Lighting Discussion
Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee, July 19, 2016
July 2016

2. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Tysons Trails – Background and Importance
• The Silver Line was developed without permanent parking in
Tysons, although several property owners are and are
considering providing parking on a temporary basis;
• The Tysons Comprehensive Plan amendment that was adopted
by the Board in June 2010, envisions a more urban, walkable
community that is less auto-centric;
• New development located near Metrorail stations is expected
to achieve mode splits of 55% for non-single occupant auto
trips;
• Achieving these modal splits requires, among other things, a
robust network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
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3. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Tysons Trails – Background and Importance
• The Comprehensive Plan Amendment includes three new trails from
the neighborhoods adjacent to Tysons to the Metrorail stations in
Tysons:
– Vesper
– Ashgrove
– Scotts Run
• Since there are limited opportunities for residents of neighboring
communities to drive and park in Tysons, these trails will serve as
primary access;
• Unlike recreational trails, users will need to be able to use them
following significant snows to access the Metrorail stations and jobs
in Tysons;
• This demand for usage requires a different approach than the
County has taken in the past.
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4. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Objectives
• Describe scope of work to clear snow and provide lighting for
proposed Tysons trails: Vesper, Scotts Run and Ashgrove and
potentially other trails leading to Metrorail stations.
• Compare existing DPWES-Maintenance and Stormwater
Management Division (MSMD) and Capital Facilities priorities
and budget to the proposed trail scope of work
• Secure concurrence from Board on appropriate level of service
for:
– Vesper Trail in Tysons and future Tysons trails described herein
– Other trails leading to Metrorail stations countywide
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5. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Vesper Trail
• 10-foot wide, asphalt trail to be
completed and open to public by
September 2017;
• Vesper Trail connects neighborhoods
in Vienna to Spring Hill Road
Metrorail Station
• Approximately 2,100 feet long with
one bridge crossing of Old
Courthouse Spring Branch;
• Trail will be lit with standard Tysons
lights per the Tysons Urban Design
Guidelines;
• Lights are metered, and Dominion
Virginia Power does not maintain
them because trail is not adjacent to
roadway;
• Trail to be constructed on County
property beneath Dominion
transmission lines.
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6. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Vesper Trail – Proximity to Existing Neighborhoods
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7. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Vesper Trail Snow Removal Considerations
• Assume that pre-storm surface
treatment and continuous snow
removal are needed, similar to
high level of service assigned to
park and ride lots and other
facilities;
• Work will likely be contracted
out;
• Based on preliminary estimate,
snow removal cost will be
approximately $30,000
annually;
• Costs are based on an average
historical cost of $1.36 per
square foot of surface cleared.
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8. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Scotts Run Trail
• Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)
is managing design and
construction;
• Approximately 2,600 feet long with
two bridge crossings of Scotts Run;
• Trail connects Magarity Road to
Colshire Meadow Drive, near
McLean Metrorail Station;
• Trail will be lit with standard Tysons
lighting, also will be metered but not
maintained by Dominion;
• Snow removal cost estimate:
$36,000 per year;
• Tentative completion date in 2019;
• Bridges are labelled as red dots
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9. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Scotts Run Trail - Proximity to McLean Metrorail Station
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10. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Ashgrove Trail Extension
• Schedule is to open by 2019;
• FCPA will manage design and
construction;
• Agreement approved by Board on
June 7, 2016;
• Approximate length of trail
extension is 670 feet;
• Snow removal is assumed for the
new 670 feet section of trail,
estimated at $9,100 per year;
• Trail will be lit with standard Tysons
lighting along trail extension, also
will be metered but not
maintained by Dominion .
• Removing snow along existing trail
segment over old bridge may
require hand removal; that cost is
not factored in at this point.
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11. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Ashgrove Trail Extension – Proximity to Spring Hill Metrorail Station
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12. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Overall MSMD Snow Removal Operations
• Removes snow from County
facilities, excludes schools;
• Removes snow from 15 park &
ride lots and transit centers;
• Removes snow from about 24
miles of roads;
• Snow removal budget is $1.3M
per year;
• Estimated snow removal cost for
three Tysons trails is
approximately $75,000 per year;
• In FY 2015, MSMD spent $1.8 M
for snow removal;
• In FY 2016, spent $2.3 M.
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• Ongoing annual expense:
Ranges from $1.8M to $2.5M
to remove snow from all
County facilities, County
roads, and transit facilities.
• Removing snow from trails
will be a new responsibility.

13. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Overall DPWES Capital Facilities Lighting Operations
• Operates a countywide
streetlight program via contract
with Dominion and NOVEC for
public roadways;
• County-owned parking facilities
are also lit through program;
• Ongoing annual expense: $5,000
per year for Vesper Trail;
• Scotts Run and Ashgrove Trail
lighting maintenance costs are
not yet calculated;
• Overall streetlight operating
expense in FY16, $8.03 million;
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• Tysons standard streetlight
design is not deemed
standard per County’s
contract with Dominion.
• Further, lighting trails that
are not adjacent to roadways
will be a new responsibility
not covered by County’s
contract with Dominion.

14. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Assumptions and ongoing implementation issues
• Proposing that Vesper Trail
clearing be a pilot before
expanding clearing and lighting
to other trails in Tysons and rest
of County.
• County will store replacement
poles and fixtures.
• Clearing of trail will match
priority given to clearing
parking garages.
• County and VDOT crews may
not clear adjacent areas at
compatible times.
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• County clearing efforts
continue to require removal
of windrows.
• A cleared trail’s access to
Metro still relies on clearing
of sidewalks connecting
trailhead to station.
• If a snow clearing ordinance
is in effect, affected property
owners will clear snow with
varying promptness.

15. Tysons Trails: Snow Removal Discussion
Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Guidance discussion for other County locations
• Alternatives to discuss:
– Vesper Trail to Spring Hill Metrorail Station, Scotts Run Trail and
Ashgrove Trail can be pilots and inform decisions about subsequent
trail clearing and lighting efforts near other Metrorail stations.
– Other existing trails near Metrorail stations could be considered for
higher level of service following pilot project with Vesper, Scotts
Run, and Ashgrove Trails;
– Vesper, Scotts Run, and Ashgrove Trails can be cleared at a lower
level of service as determined by MSMD snow removal priorities,
also not be lit, meaning less expense but also less trail access
during heavier snowfalls.
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16. Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division (MSMD)
Questions and Discussion
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