Northern Vienna Trail Feasibility Study
The neighborhoods of northern Vienna are unique
because they are home to outstanding public places such as Wolf Trap
National Park, Meadowlark Botanical Garden, the W&OD and the
Cross-County Trails. A feasibility study was performed to determine whether
the community would benefit by making these places easier to reach by foot
or on a bike. This would be accomplished by connecting the bits and pieces
of sidewalks and trails which already exist into a continuous paved path
along Beulah Road from Abbotsford Road to Meadowlark Gardens. The Beulah
Road alignment is considered the first phase of a potential network of
trails which could potentially provide better access to Wolf Trap National
Park, the Barns of Wolf Trap, the W&OD Trail, the Fairfax County
Cross-County Trail, ten county parks, the town of Vienna, Tysons Corner,
and many local neighborhoods.
The Study Process
The study process was steered by a citizen
advisory committee appointed by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Catherine
Hudgins comprised of local residents living on or nearby the proposed trail
alignment. The committee followed guiding principles which emerged in an
introductory community meeting held in December of 2004. Those principles
are: to keep safety a paramount consideration, to have minimal impact on
the character of the neighborhood, and to be responsive to the concerns of
property owners and the community.
As part of the feasibility study, an opinion
questionnaire was mailed to 1800 residences in September 2005. In addition,
Fairfax County has surveyed property lines and McLean Police has conducted
a traffic speed analysis.
The Study Alignment
The alignment and nature of the proposed project
are in accordance with the Fairfax County Countywide Trails Plan which
specifies a 10 foot wide paved multi-purpose trial. However, as part of the
feasibility study, alternative dimensions and uses considered. The proposed
route was analyzed in four separate segments.
The study was funded by an $80,000 grant
(Transportation Enhancements grant) from the federal Transportation Equity
Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The balance of the grant, and a second
$80,000 Enhancements grant will fund construction of the 830' trail within
Segment C noted above at Meadowlark Gardens Botanical Park.
Links
Fairfax
County Comprehensive Plan - Area 2
Fairfax County
Countywide Trail Plan
Pedestrian and
Bicycle Information Center
Guidelines
for creating Walkable Communities
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