Project Background

In accordance to the Countywide Trails Plan, Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail Project completes missing segments of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail between Richmond Highway (Route 1) and Southwood Drive for a length of approximately two miles. The Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail provides a continuous facility for pedestrians and cyclists along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway from Route 1 to the Mount Vernon Estates.

The project constructed a 10 foot Shared Use Path within the missing segments, which includes a pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway bridge crossing Dogue Creek. In addition, this project improved pedestrian crossings by providing marked crosswalks and curb ramps approved by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and standards.

The project budget was $6.5M and funded locally.

Construction Updates and Project Milestones

The land acquisition for the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail project was completed in June 2021 with utility relocation completed by December 2021. Utility relocations including gas, electric, and communication lines were necessary to accommodate the proposed trail. The construction of the trail project started in February 2022.

Please note: Fairfax Water began their water main replacement project, along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, in June 2021. The Fairfax Water project was a separate project from the trail construction. Please contact Fairfax Water directly for information and questions about this project. 

Community Meetings

The first public meeting for the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail project was held on March 14, 2018, at Mount Vernon High School.

• Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail Public Information Meeting - March 14, 2018

Public comments were accepted through April 8, 2018 and feedback was incorporated into the design plans, including:

• A Pedestrian Study was conducted to review all unsignalized pedestrian crossings and identify the appropriate location and treatments for the crossings within the project limits.
• A trail separated from the roadway along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway is proposed between Grist Mill Road and Patton Boulevard.
• Relocation of the trail between Peartree Landing and Southwood Drive. The trail is now proposed on the north side of Mount Vernon Memorial Highway.
• A pedestrian-actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) is proposed for the pedestrian crossing on Mount Vernon Memorial Highway at Southwood Drive.

The next public meeting was held on December 9, 2019, 6:30 p.m., at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria. Presentation materials included:

• Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail Presentation - Dec. 9, 2019
• Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Pedestrian Bridge
• Presentation Board 1 (updated) - Grist Mill Woods Way to Fort Belvoir Walker's Gate Entrance
• Presentation Board 2 (updated) - Fort Belvoir Walker's Gate Entrance to Grist Mill Road
• Presentation Board 3 (updated) - Grist Mill Road to Old Mill Road
• Presentation Board 4 (updated) - Old Mill Road to Grist Mill Park Entrance
• Presentation Board 5 (updated) - Peartree Landing to Southwood Drive

Comments were accepted through Monday, Dec. 30, 2019.