Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail Project

Project News and Updates

The land acquisition for the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail project is now complete. Relocations of utilities began in June 2021 and are expected to be completed by September 2021. Utility relocations including gas, electric, and communication lines are necessary to accommodate the proposed trail. The Washington Gas line relocation is in process. The construction of the trail project is expected to start Fall 2021.

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

Project Background

A public meeting for the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail project was held on December 9, 2019, 6:30 p.m., at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria. Presentation materials are listed below:

• 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 recorded at the meeting and may also be submitted online by using the feedback form on this webpage, in writing to FCDOT, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22033, or by calling 703-877-5600. Comments are due by Monday, Dec. 30.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) recently completed the intermediate design (60% Plans) for the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail Project. Comments from the March 14, 2018, public information meeting to address pedestrian safety were incorporated into the design plans, which include:

• 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.

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. Once complete, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail will provide a continuous facility for pedestrians and cyclists along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway from Route 1 to the Mount Vernon Estates.

The project will consist of constructing 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 will improve pedestrian crossings by providing marked crosswalks and curb ramps approved by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and standards.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Estimated Project Cost And Funding

• Project Budget: $6.5 million
• Locally Funded
   

Community Meeting Information

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.