Local elected officials, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and other partner county agencies cut the ribbon to official open a new shared use path connecting several Herndon neighborhoods to the Innovation Center Metrorail Station on the Silver Line on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.

The Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project features a 1,459-foot shared use path and two pedestrian bridges - one of which is the longest pedestrian bridge in Fairfax County - providing a direct connection between the Metro station and nearby residential neighborhoods. This new trail decreases what once was a 2-3 mile walk or bike ride to just half a mile for residents.

"This could not be a better project to connect people to Metro," said Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman. "It is the type of project that that you want to see if you *don’t* have an option to ride the Metro. Because… those cars that you are driving down the road next to might not be there if people could get on the Metro and never have to get in their cars."

"This seamless shared use path makes access to the Silver Line much more practical, convenient and certainly opens up opportunities for getting around the entire region; saving a car trip; promoting healthy lifestyles and connecting neighbors," said FCDOT Project Manager Sonia Shahnaj.

For more information on the project, visit the Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project or watch the event video:

###