Project Overview

The purpose of this project is to develop a regional plan for a bicycle and trail network in Northern Virginia based on the existing jurisdictional plans, including Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Arlington County, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax. This regional network will include both on-road bicycle facilities such as paved shoulders and bike lanes, as well as off-road multi-use trails. The network plan will be developed primarily to serve the transportation needs of bicyclists and other trail users, with recreation and healthier lifestyles as ancillary benefits.

This study will draw upon local jurisdictions' plans for future bicycle and trail facilities along regionally significant corridors. The study team will also analyze other corridors needed to complete a regional network, or to close key gaps in the regional network, as identified during the course of the study. This project will include ongoing involvement of jurisdictional representatives through the Bikeway and Trail Network Study Workgroup.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL BIKEWAY AND TRAIL
NETWORK STUDY

Goal: Conduct an inventory of existing bikeways and trails in Northern Virginia and develop a regional network plan linking major activity centers to serve the transportation needs of bicyclists and trail users.

Schedule: Project to be completed October 2003.

Study Area: Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William, Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park, and all incorporated towns within.

Task I: Project Kick-off

1. Project kick off meeting of the Bikeway Network Study Workgroup, including VDOT staff, consultants, and jurisdictional representatives was held June 13, 2001.

2. First Public Information Meeting scheduled for July 31^st to provide project background, seek feedback and answer questions from the community.

Task II: Data Collection

1. Gather and compile information on existing and proposed bicycle and trail facilities throughout study area.

2. Review plans and programming documents to identify proposed and funded bicycle and trail facilities.

3. Field inspections of existing bikeway and trail facilities.

4. Bikeway Network Study Workgroup will review information collected, identify gaps in the regional bike network, and explore alternatives for eliminating gaps and identify major bike corridors.

Task III: Project Website

1. Project website was established in July, 2001 to provide general project information, announce upcoming meeting dates, enable visitors to view project maps on-line, and provide additional opportunities for people to submit comments.

2. Website to be updated monthly.

Task IV: Preliminary Network Planning

1. Preliminary recommendations will be provided identifying needed connections to create a regional network of bicycle and trail facilities including both off-road trails and on-road bikeways as well as related policy and/or spot improvements.

2. Identify any major obstacles to implementing preliminary recommendations.

Task V: Bicycle Travel Demand Analysis

Conduct an analysis of bicycle transportation potential of specific roadway and trail corridors (existing and proposed).

Task VI: Draft/Final Prioritized Network Plan and Report

1. Develop a prioritized regional bicycle and trail network plan for linking major activity centers in Northern Virginia.

2. Hold second public information meeting to present draft Network Plan and associated maps.

3. Prepare final report.

NOVA Regional Bikeway and Trail Network Study
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