VDOT Makes Changes To Braddock Road Project Design To Reduce Tree Loss

BURKE/ANNANDALE — The Virginia Department of Transportation made changes to the design of its proposed Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project between Burke and Annandale in response to public concern about the amount of tree loss.

The overall project will include multimodal and access management improvements along Braddock Road between Humphries Drive and Ravensworth Road, including the eastbound and westbound Braddock Road ramps to the outer loop of the Beltway and a half-mile of Ravensworth Road between Braddock Road and Heritage Drive.

The area of Braddock Road identified by VDOT averages about 61,000 vehicles a day, and the targeted Ravensworth Road area averages about 14,000 vehicles.

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said that he is pleased to see that VDOT made progress in preserving trees along Braddock Road as it continues to develop the design of the project.

In response to concerns from his constituents, Walkinshaw said he encouraged VDOT to be flexible and creative in the design to minimize impacts on trees and surrounding neighborhoods.

The changes presented by VDOT at a July 26 public outreach meeting will increase tree preservation within the VDOT right-of-way on Braddock Road and Ravensworth Road from 28 percent to 47 percent, Walkinshaw said in the August issue of The Braddock Beacon, his monthly constituent newsletter.

Among the changes made by VDOT welcomed by Walkinshaw were:

• Incorporating segments of the existing trail into the new shared-use paths on both sides of Braddock Road.
• Consolidating stormwater management facilities into fewer locations (10 as opposed to 21 in VDOT's November 2022 design).
• Using retaining walls in key locations to reduce the need for grading and preserve tree buffers for adjacent neighborhoods.
• Committing to provide new/replacement landscaping, including street trees.

The project's right of way and construction will be conducted in two phases: Southampton Drive to Ravensworth Road, followed by Humphries Drive to Southampton Drive.

VDOT is developing a total cost of the project as it conducts the preliminary design.

The right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation for the first phase of the project — from Southhampton Drive to Ravensworth Road — is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2025. Construction on the first phase of the project is estimated to start in the fall of 2028.

The goal of the overall construction project is to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. Plans call for improved mobility and accessibility for all users with intersection and interchange enhancements, new and upgraded shared-use paths along both sides of Braddock Road, and a potential pedestrian overpass just west of Burke Lake Road.

VDOT said it plans to hold a project design public hearing this fall.

RELATED:

• VDOT To Hold Public Information Meeting On Braddock Road Project
• Braddock Road Improvements To Be Discussed At Virtual VDOT Meeting