Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

GW Parkway construction to shift traffic to southbound lanes in McLean area

Published January 5, 2024 at 9:30AM

The new GW Parkway traffic pattern during weekday morning rush hours, starting Jan. 6, 2024 (courtesy NPS)

The GW Parkway’s northern section is on the brink of a new phase in its rehabilitation process.

Starting tomorrow (Saturday), construction on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in McLean will shift from the southbound lanes to the northbound ones between the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road).

Countywide

Fairfax Connector workers authorize strike as contract negotiations continue

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 3:00PM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 3:59PM

Fairfax Connector bus (file photo)

(Updated at 4 p.m.) Hundreds of Fairfax Connector workers could strike if contract talks between their union and employer break down.

Nearly a month after the end of their existing contract with Transdev, which operates Fairfax County’s public bus system, union drivers, mechanics and other employees voted on Dec. 29 to authorize a strike, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 announced yesterday.

News

Woman ordered to stop building ‘secret’ tunnel under her house by Town of Herndon

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 11:15AM

TikTok user Kala has been documenting the construction of a "secret tunnel" under her Herndon home since October 2022 (via engineer.everything/TikTok)

The Town of Herndon has shut down a resident’s months-long attempt to construct an elaborate tunnel system under her house.

Nicknamed “tunnel girl” by online followers, Kala shared in a Dec. 28 video that local officials have issued a stop-work order requiring her to suspend the “secret tunnel” project that she has been documenting on TikTok and, occasionally, YouTube since October 2022.

News

Driver dies after two multi-vehicle, ‘chain reaction’ crashes on I-66

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 10:30AM

I-66 West lanes were blocked last night for a fatal three-vehicle crash near Nutley Street (via VDOT)

A woman died last night (Wednesday) after crashing into a tow truck that was responding to an earlier multi-vehicle collision on I-66, the Virginia State Police announced this morning.

Troopers were called first at 6:31 p.m. yesterday to a “chain reaction crash” that involved three vehicles in the westbound lanes of I-66 at the 51-mile marker in the Centreville area.

News

Police investigate after Beltway driver finds bullet hole in vehicle

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 4, 2024 at 9:45AM | Updated January 4, 2024 at 10:54AM

A Virginia State Police vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 10:55 a.m.) Virginia State Police are seeking witnesses in a possible shooting incident that occurred this morning (Thursday) near the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange in Tysons.

Troopers responded at 6:08 a.m. to a driver stopped in the shoulder along the Capital Beltway’s northbound lanes near the exit to the toll road’s westbound lanes, according to the VSP and scanner traffic on Open MHz.

News

Developer details plan to replace ICF office buildings in Oakton with housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 3:00PM

The Hunters Branch office buildings in Oakton could be redeveloped with an apartment building and townhomes (via Fairfax County)

A redevelopment plan for the former ICF headquarters in Oakton has officially been submitted to Fairfax County.

Filed in late December, the application from IBW HB LLC — an apparent affiliate of Arlington-based developer Insight Property Group — envisions replacing the 1980s-era Hunters Branch office complex at 9300 and 9302 Route 29 with a 8-story apartment building and townhomes.

Around Town

Compass Coffee aims to open West Falls Church cafe in the spring

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 11:00AM

The former drive-thru BB&T bank is being converted to a Compass Coffee shop (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

This spring will bring a new coffee shop to West Falls Church — or so Compass Coffee hopes.

Construction is underway on the company’s second drive-thru cafe at 7393 Lee Highway. The shop will occupy a former BB&T bank building in the Shops at West Falls Church.

News

South Lakes HS evacuated for small fire in bathroom

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2024 at 9:45AM

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue truck (file photo)

South Lakes High School was evacuated this morning (Wednesday) for what turned out to be a “small” fire in a bathroom, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department says.

Firefighters were dispatched to the school at 11400 South Lakes Drive in Reston around 8:45 a.m. for a building fire, according to scanner traffic on Open MHz.

Countywide

Fairfax County nears vote to permanently allow temporary outdoor dining

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2024 at 3:45PM

The Burger 7 at Avenir Place has a tent extension and movable tables and chairs for outdoor dining (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Almost a year after ending its state of emergency for COVID-19, Fairfax County is expected to codify new rules for outdoor dining that were introduced in response to the pandemic.

A proposed zoning ordinance amendment will automatically let restaurants, bars and other food service establishments set up temporary seating areas where patrons can eat and drink outside, unless the area is in a parking lot, in which case an administrative permit will be needed.

News

Officials discuss future of Vienna tap water service — possibly leading to Fairfax Water takeover

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 2, 2024 at 1:30PM

Fairfax Water's headquarters in Merrifield (via Google Maps)

The new year may bring changes to how water is provided in and around the Town of Vienna.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Dec. 5 to begin discussions with the town and Fairfax Water about the future of public water delivery service in areas currently served by Vienna Water.