Toll lanes being considered for Fairfax County Parkway, Franconia-Springfield Parkway
The Fairfax County Parkway and Franconia-Springfield Parkways will be getting some upgrades, and local commuters have a chance to weigh in.
The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation are asking for public input on what the improvements to these two major thoroughfares will be, as part of an ongoing community input process. An online survey about commuting along the Fairfax County Parkway and the Franconia-Springfield Parkway is open now through Nov. 19 at fcpfspstudy.metroquest.com.
Among the questions: Whether the Fairfax County Parkway should add high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or toll lanes: HOV lanes would require a “minimum of 3 people per vehicle to use travel lane (1 HOV lane/direction)” or Express/Toll Lanes would require that “users pay toll (similar to I-495)/1 toll lane/direction (HOV-3: No charge).”
The survey also asks about pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, and about widening the road or adjusting interchanges. It additionally asks about environmental enhancements or preservations that commuters see as a priority on various sections of both the Fairfax County and Franconia-Springfield Parkways.
The survey is part of the Long-Range Planning Study, which looks at long-term recommendations for the future. A short-term study was completed in 2017.
For this long-term study, according to the study website, “Intensive analysis using the County’s Traffic Forecasting Model will be used to determine future network deficiencies. Alternatives to remedy those deficiencies will be developed, and public input will be sought on those alternatives. Final recommendations will be considered for incorporation into the county’s Transportation Plan. Some questions that are to be addressed in this study are:
- The degree to which existing intersections should be considered for conversion to interchanges or under/ overpasses
- How transit should be integrated into the corridor
- Whether tolling and or HOV lanes on the Parkways should be planned.
- Bicycle/ pedestrian mobility
Further input and direction from the public will help develop these preliminary alternatives and lead to an FCDOT / VDOT final recommendation in identifying a preferred alternative concept plan.”
In addition to the survey, drivers can send comments to FCDOT by using the project webpage or by calling 703-877-5600.
Wow! that certainly looks like another Fairfax County money grab. Any Supervisor who votes for this stupid idea should be voted out of office. The worse traffic on the Parkway is at the 95N entrance ramp that is only 1 lane. Toss in all the trucks coming from the gas depot and it’s a complete cluster.
My sentiments exactly.
Do not feel HOV is needed on Fairfax County Parkway. Also the proposed changes to the Burke Centre Parkway Intersection is a serious inconvience to all who live in Burke. People that travel to Occuquan & Braddock Rd will also have issues. Changing the intersection to Burke Centre Parkway will really only leave a few options available. Off parkway take Braddock Rd exit, turn where Burke Library is there is no light there or turn onto Roberts Pkwy. For these reasons don’t feel doing an overpass is in the best interest of the public in Burke. Thank you for taking the time to read my response to your project.