Georgetown Pike Walkway Phase III & Phase IV

1. Georgetown Pike Walkway
Phase III & Phase IV
Citizen Information Meeting
March 22, 2017, 7PM to 9PM (Great Falls Library)
(Formal Presentation Starts at 7:30)
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2. Project Team
Mr. W. Todd Minnix, P.E., Chief, Transportation Design Division
Ms. Brook Khorashadi, P.E., Section Chief, Transportation Design Division
Mr. Bob Ayers, Project Manager, Transportation Design Division
Mr. Doug Miller, Environmental Specialist
Mr. Chris Wells, Bike/Ped Manager
___________________________________________________________
Supervisor John Foust, Dranesville District Supervisor
___________________________________________________________
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3. Meeting Schedule
Tonight’s Agenda
• Phase III – Presentation followed by Q&A
• Phase IV – Presentation followed by Q&A
• Return to display boards, one-on-one discussion,
individual questions
• Meeting Ends – 9:00PM
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4. Meeting Purpose
Tonight’s Purpose:
• Provide an overview for both Phase III and Phase IV projects
• Provide the public an update on on-going activities related to
both projects, current status, and next steps
• Solicit comments regarding what effect, if any, the proposed
facilities may have on historic resources
Tonight we will answer questions, but please submit all
comments in writing to enable them to be part of the public
record.
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5. Overview
Existing conditions:
• No continuous pedestrian facilities
• Phase I (Applewood Lane to Walker Road in Great
Falls Village)
• Phase II (Falls Chase Court to Utterback Store
Road)
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6. Overview
Proposed Improvements:
• Phase III will connect existing Phase II Pedestrian Facility to Falls
Bridge Lane
• Phase IV will connect Falls Bridge Lane to Seneca Road
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7. Phase III
Phase III - Project from Ex. Pedestrian
Facility to Falls Bridge Lane
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8. Phase III: Background
• Federally-funded project utilizing grants that were applied for by
Fairfax County on behalf of the Great Falls Trailblazers.
• Environmental documentation for the project was approved in 2010
for the overall Georgetown Pike Trail project.
• As a federally-funded project, all Fairfax County and VDOT design
standards, including ADA accessibility standards, must be met
• The design for Phase III, started in 2013, and development of final
design plans are pending resolution of project scope.
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9. Phase III: Concept Overview
Three conceptual alternatives were considered:
• Alternative #1: Shoulder Section
• Alternative #2: Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)
• Alternative #3: Curb & Gutter
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10. Phase III: Alt. #1 Shoulder Section
Alternative # 1 – Shoulder Section
• Requires construction of asphalt pedestrian facility in
existing trail easement located on private property.
• Design utilizes a standard buffer and the existing ditch to
separate pedestrians from traffic.
• Tree Loss = Approx. 60-70 trees. Extensive loss of
mature trees nearly eliminating visual screening between
adjacent property and Georgetown Pike.
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11. Phase III: Alt. #1 Shoulder Section
Alternative # 1 – Shoulder Section
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12. Phase III: Alt. #1 Shoulder Section
Alternative # 1 – Shoulder Section – Approx. Tree Loss
Approx. 60-70 Trees to be Removed – (“X” = Tree Loss)
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13. Phase III: Alt. #2 Avoidance
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Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance)
• Alternative requires construction of asphalt pedestrian
facilities on south side of Georgetown Pike
• Requires two unsignalized pedestrian crossings
(crosswalks) across Georgetown Pike
• It is anticipated that crosswalks would not meet VDOT
requirements for installation

14. Phase III: Alt. #2 Avoidance
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Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)

15. Phase III: Alt. #2 Avoidance
Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)
• Not feasible/Practical for Pedestrian Facility Users
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16. Phase III: Alt. #2 Avoidance
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Alternative # 2 – Crosswalk (Avoidance Alternative)
If crosswalks were installed, a similar installation could look like this:

17. Phase III: Alt. #3 Curb/Gutter Section
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Alternative # 3 – Curb & Gutter Section
• Curb & Gutter Section is least intrusive to property and
trees
• Facility will be 6’ wide asphalt
• Constructed within VDOT R/W
• Tree loss is minimized (approx.10-12 Trees)
 The County is soliciting public comments regarding potential
effects the design may have on historic resources.

18. Phase III: Alt. #3 Curb/Gutter Section
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Alternative # 3 – Curb & Gutter Section

19. Phase III: Alt. #3 Curb/Gutter Section
Alternative # 3 – Curb/Gutter Section – Approx. Tree Loss
Approx. 10-12 Trees to be Removed – (“X” = Tree Loss)
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20. Phase III: Historic Resources
Historic Resource Concerns
• Although all alternatives are still under consideration, Fairfax County
DOT supports Alternative #3 (Curb & Gutter Section) for Phase III in
order to avoid impacting private property and to avoid significant tree
loss
• Georgetown Pike (GTP) is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places
• Concerns have been expressed that the installation of curb & gutter will
negatively affect the historic integrity of Georgetown Pike
Phase II
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21. Phase III: Context of Project
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Context of Project

22. Phase III: Historic Resources
• Due to federal funds on Phase III, an “Effect Determination”
from Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) is
required
oNo effect – No historic resources present
oNo adverse effect – Project impacts to historic properties do not
rise to the level of an adverse effect
oAdverse effect – An adverse effect is found when an undertaking
may alter, directly or indirectly, any of the characteristics of a
historic property that qualify the property for inclusion in the
National Register in a manner that would diminish "any of the
property's aspects of integrity“
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23. Phase III: Historic Resources
•FCDOT believes that alternative #3 is the best
option
BUT…
•Tonight we are seeking your input
•Public involvement is a strong component of the
decision making process
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24. Phase III: Historic Resources
Steps involved in assessing impacts
• Are historic properties present?
• What makes GTP historic?
o Very early engineered road – retains much of original design integrity
o Important early transportation corridor – early toll road & farm to
market road linking west to the new Federal City
o Listed on National Register of Historic Places
• Could project potentially affect resource?
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25. Phase III: Historic Resources
Completed steps
• Historic properties in vicinity of project have been identified
• Consulting parties have been identified
• Public Information Meeting being held tonight
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26. Phase III: Historic Resources
Next Steps
• Tonight – We are soliciting the community’s written feedback on this
issue by April 14, 2017. If desired, please submit a comment for the record
by using the comment sheet provided, email, or online form.
• VDHR is gatekeeper of historic resources in Virginia
• Based in part on public input, VDHR will assess impacts of project on
NRHP listed Georgetown Pike and make an effect determination
• This issue needs to be resolved before final design on Phase III can begin
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27. Phase III: Question/Answers
Questions about Phase III?
Reminder:
Please submit all comments in writing by April 14 in order for
them to be considered as part of the public record.
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28. Phase IV
Phase IV - Project from Falls Bridge Lane
to Seneca Road
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29. Phase IV: Background
• Locally Funded project
• Public pedestrian facility will meet all VDOT &
County standards for maintenance and for ADA
accessibility compliance.
• Facility will be maintained by Fairfax County
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30. Phase IV: Concept
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Concept Features:
• 6’ wide asphalt facility with standard buffer and existing
ditch
• This pedestrian facility will link Phases II and III to Seneca
Square and the existing asphalt trails along Leesburg Pike
• Intent is to minimize right-of-way impacts and tree loss

31. Phase IV: Concept (1 of 3)
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32. Phase IV: Concept (2 of 3)
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33. Phase IV: Concept (3 of 3)
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34. Phase IV: Question/Answers
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Questions about Phase IV?
Reminder:
Please submit all comments in writing by April 14 in order for
them to be considered as part of the public record.

35. Citizen Input
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Ways to Comment
• Fill out & submit a comment sheet tonight (Comment Box Provided)
• Comment section on project website:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/georgetownpiketrail.htm
• Email Douglas Miller: douglas.miller3@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Fill out and mail a comment sheet:
Douglas Miller
Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation
4050 Legato Road, Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22033
Submit written
comments by
April 14, 2017

36. Georgetown Pike Walkway
Phase III and Phase IV
Thank you!
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