Fairfax, Va. – Plans for new lanes to ease traffic jams, bus rapid transit, and eventually a Metro expansion, are moving forward for the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
The Fairfax County Board now plans to vote in May to start environmental assessments and other input and planning processes to expand a stretch of Route 1 near Hybla Valley that is currently only four lanes. It would create a full corridor along Route 1 that is six lanes from the Beltway past Fort Belvoir to Prince William County.
The plan also includes bus rapid transit service by the mid 2020s, and major improvements for people who want to walk or bike in the area.
Some opponents on the board argue there should be less space for people on bikes or on foot to avoid impacting as many properties that abut Route 1. Some properties may not be impacted at all, while others could have just a few feet purchases by the county, and some others could be taken completely.
The board will also review the area’s development and zoning plans, likely to add increased density around new transit stations.
Eventually, a Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation plan unveiled in the fall calls for an extension of the Yellow Line from Huntington to Hybla Valley. Initially, that stretch would be covered by bus lanes like the rest of the corridor, which will eventually include buses that can zoom by traffic all the way to Woodbridge.
