Potential Route 1 Bus Rapid Transit Artwork Open For Feedback

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Artwork that could be featured at future Bus Rapid Transit Stations in the Richmond Highway corridor has been presented for public feedback.

The proposed Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit system, nine stations connecting to major commercial and employment centers, transit and residential communities, is in the planning phase. As part of the planning, Fairfax County is working on a "community charm" initiative to add artwork at each station reflecting the history, identity and character of the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Bus Rapid Transit stations would include Huntington Metro, Kings Crossing, Beacon Hill, Lockheed, Gum Springs, Hybla Valley, Hyland Center, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir. Artwork is envisioned to appear on the windscreen areas of the stations.

The station artwork open for public feedback was created by high school students for the Huntington Metro, Kings Crossing, Beacon Hill, Lockheed, Hybla Valley, Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir stations.

Artwork at the Gum Springs and Hyland Center will follow a different process and will be created by students from Gum Springs Community Center and South County Teen Center, respectively.

The Huntington Metro, Kings Crossing, Beacon Hill artwork options were created by photography students at Hayfield Secondary School. According to the county's website, the students used a theme of "Past/Present/Future" to "educate citizens and visitors of the Route 1 corridor about the rich history of the land we stand on, while also preserving the present and looking towards the future of our changing community."

The Lockheed artwork options were created by West Potomac High School students. Unlike the photography-centric approach from Hayfield, West Potomac's options are illustrative art for Lockheed and Hybla Valley.

The two options for Lockheed focus on the nearby Huntley Meadows and its wetland wildlife. Hybla Valley's artwork options focus more on people, diversity and the future.

Mount Vernon High School students created illustrative artwork options for Woodlawn and Fort Belvoir. Woodlawn's options focus on nature scenes of Woodlawn as well as landmarks like Pope Leighey house and Arcadia Farm. Fort Belvoir's artwork options focus on the U.S. Army presence.

Residents' preferences for station artwork can be shared in a public survey, open through April 3.

Residents may also view the designs and share feedback at a meeting on Wednesday, March 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mount Vernon High School cafeteria, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Rd, Alexandria, VA (auditorium, little theater side).

After the survey, the Richmond Highway BRT Executive Committee will receive recommendations on April 17. Once the committee makes final artwork selections, students will work on feedback and make final submissions in early June.

Follow along with other Bus Rapid Transit updates on the Bus Rapid Transit web page.