Developers planning a nearly 24-acre, mixed-use development for the West Falls Church Metro station say they will provide upgrades to the Idylwood transportation network.
EYA, Rushmark Properties, and Hoffman & Associates — known collectively as FGCP-Metro LLC — have agreed to construct a shared-use trail along the north side of Haycock Road over I-66, according to a draft proffer agreement in Fairfax County’s Jan. 24 staff report on the development plans, FFX Now reported on Jan 31.
The proposed trail would replace the road’s existing asphalt sidewalk and one of its westbound lanes, the online publication says. “It would be at least 10 feet wide — exceeding the 8 feet recommended by a county study of the area’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure,” the published report says.
A concept plan shows the trail being separated from the road by a 3-foot-wide jersey barrier on the I-66 bridge and a guardrail and buffer strip to the east of the bridge. With the trail, the developers would also add a crosswalk across Turner Avenue, where the trail would begin, FFX Now reports.
“Under the proffers, which are conditions tied to the development, the Haycock Metrorail Connector Trail must open before the county issues a 40th residential-use permit for the townhouses planned on the Metro station site, though the deadline can be deferred if needed to get required approvals and easements.”
Other proposed improvements include:
- Falls Church Drive: pedestrian crosswalks, installation of pedestrian-actuated signalization, and modifications to the existing median, including an eastbound left turn laneHaycock and Great Falls Street intersection: an exclusive left-turn lane and a single shared through/right-turn lane in each direction along Haycock
- A right-turn lane along Grove Avenue at its intersection with Haycock Road
An extension of West Falls Station Blvd through the Metro property, with $2 million offered to help pay for the new road’s construction in Falls Church City’s nearby West Falls development - On-road bicycle lanes on both sides of West Falls Station Blvd
- Up to four bus shelters
- A concrete pad for a future Capital Bikeshare station
- The developers have also agreed to conduct a traffic signal timing analysis and contribute $20,000 that the county can use to install traffic signal preemption devices on traffic lights within a 5-mile radius of the development site.
A public hearing on the application is scheduled for Feb. 8 before the T Fairfax County Planning Commission.
