Wiehle Avenue at the W&OD Trail Pedestrian Improvement Project

News & Updates - Winter 2023

(Update March 14, 2023) The Wiehle Avenue at W&OD Trail is now in the construction phase and is expected to be completed by early Summer of 2024. The contract for the trail improvements was awarded to Allan Myers VA, Incorporated. Additionally, the adjacent properties were notified of the upcoming trail construction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 9, 2023. 

A transportation management plan will be implemented to maintain uninterrupted pedestrian, bike and vehicular traffic during the construction. The plan includes the following:

• The gravel trail closure from the eastbound gravel trail entrance at 11480 Sunset Hill Road (west of Isaac Newton Square West) to Wiehle Avenue and from Michael Faraday Court to Wiehle Avenue.
• The existing asphalt trail to remain open except during nighttime hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on any given day of the week) when the park is closed. 
• A 6’ safety fence will be installed along the asphalt trail to separate the construction area from the existing asphalt trail.
• The asphalt trail users will be detoured to use the newly constructed pedestrian bridge during the road improvements and trail/sidewalk construction along Wiehle Avenue. 
  • The work will be performed on one side of Wiehle Avenue at a time. 
  • Appropriate detour signs will be installed to direct pedestrian/bicycle traffic to the new pedestrian bridge to continue with their travel on W&OD asphalt trail. 
  • Appropriate traffic control signs will be installed for the closure of the sidewalk along Wiehle Avenue. Signs will be installed in advance of the closure to direct the pedestrian/bicycle traffic to use the existing crosswalk south of the Sunset Hills Road/Wiehle Avenue intersection and the crosswalk at the Roger Bacon Drive/Isaac Newton Square South intersection. 

• Every effort will be made to keep the Wiehle Avenue travel lanes open for continuous traffic flow. Please note that:
  • Single lane closure is allowed, when needed, during the construction. 
  • Total closure of Wiehle Avenue is only allowed during the pedestrian bridge installation. It is only allowed during overnight hours and will not exceed 15 minutes.
• Appropriate traffic controls will be installed for any sidewalk/trail, lane, and road closure. 

For more information, please contact Sonia Shahnaj, Project Manager, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, by email at Sonia.Shahnaj@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-877-5600.
 

News & Updates - Spring 2022

(Updated May 10, 2022) The relocation of utilities for Wiehle Avenue at W&OD trail project is moving forward as planned. Dominion Energy Virginia (DEV) completed the relocation of their overhead transmission facilities in August 2021. Adjustment of other utility facilities is necessary to accommodate the proposed trail improvements and pedestrian bridge construction over Wiehle Avenue. The relocation of AT&T's line, one of the nine utility facilities to be relocated, was completed on March 21. The relocation date(s) of the remaining utilities will start May 16, 2022. 

Throughout the relocation of utility facilities for the trail project, the W&OD Trail will be relocated, and pedestrians will need to use the adjacent paved or gravel trails. The W&OD Trail, within the limits of relocation area, will be detoured during this work. Work areas include the following:

• The paved trail from Wiehle Avenue to Isaac Newton Square West.    
• The gravel trail from Wiehle Avenue to Isaac Newton Square West.
• Approximately 200’ of the paved and gravel trail east of Wiehle Avenue.
• The sidewalk along Wiehle Avenue from Sunset Hills Road/Wiehle Avenue intersection to Roger Bacon Drive/Isaac Newton Square South intersection.

To maintain an uninterrupted pedestrian and bike traffic during the utility relocation:

• Trail users will be detoured to the adjacent gravel or paved trail during the utility relocation activity. 
• Appropriate traffic control signs will be installed for the closure of sidewalk along Wiehle Avenue. 
  • Signs will be installed in advance of the closure to direct the pedestrian and bike traffic to use the existing crosswalk at south of Sunset Hills Rd, the crosswalk at Sunset Hills Road/Wiehle Avenue intersection and the crosswalk at Roger Bacon Drive/Isaac Newton Square South intersection. 

For more information, please contact Sonia Shahnaj, Project Manager, Fairfax County Department of Transportation, by email at Sonia.Shahnaj@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-877-5600.

The relocation of utilities is expected to be completed by July 2022. The construction of the trail project is scheduled to begin in Fall 2022.

Community Meeting - March 17, 2016

(FCDOT) held a design public hearing on Thursday, March 17, 2016, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Hunter Woods. Public comments were accepted through March 27, 2016.

• Public Hearing Presentation (March 2016)

Project Background

A new pedestrian bridge is being planned to improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station as noted in Reston Metrorail Access Group’s (RMAG) plan.The bridge will be located on the W&OD Trail and extend over Wiehle Avenue replacing the existing at-grade crossing. The new bridge will accommodate both the gravel path and asphalt W&OD Trail at this location. Minor roadway, sidewalk and median modifications will be made to Wiehle Avenue at this location to accommodate the bridge. Several utility relocations will be required for the project site along with the installation of drainage and stormwater management features.

Tentative Project Schedule

• Land Acquisition Completed November 2021
• Utility Relocation Completion Expected June 2022
• Construction To Begin Fall 2022
• Construction Completion Fall 2023

Project Resources

• Wiehle Avenue at the W&OD Trail Plans
• Project Information Sheet
• Bridge Renderings
• Exhibit for 3% vertical grade option
• Exhibit for 5% vertical grade option

FCDOT ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need this information in an alternate format, contact FCDOT at 703-877-5600, TTY 711.