pedestrian | FFXnow

Columbia Pike pedestrian dangers remain years after student’s death, residents say

By Rossy Soto, Jasmin Dinh and Jeff Plungis

Published May 4, 2026 at 3:45PM

Two people cross Columbia Pike at the Barcroft View Terrace intersection (photo by Jasmin Dinh/Youthcast Media Group)

In 2022, Justice High School junior Lesly Diaz-Bonilla was struck and killed as she was leaving the Barcroft View Apartments, on her way to school. Just four years earlier, in the same Fairfax County location, a mother and daughter were injured by a hit-and-run driver.

Diaz-Bonilla’s death drew attention to a safety problem that continues to plague a 4-mile stretch of Columbia Pike between Bailey’s Crossroads and Annandale, where poor design and inattentive drivers often put pedestrians at risk.

News

Fairfax City seeks input on how to improve crash-prone Main Street intersection

By Nolan Stout

Published April 27, 2026 at 10:00AM

The pedestrian crosswalk across Main Street at Lyndhurst Drive in Fairfax City (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The City of Fairfax is seeking public input on possible improvements to a wonky intersection along Main Street.

The city is studying the intersection of Main Street at its terminus with Lyndhurst Drive and Trapp Road. The intersection is just west of Carter G. Woodson High School.

Countywide

Process for prioritizing sidewalk, crosswalk projects needs fixing, Fairfax officials agree

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County Department of Transportation director Gregg Steverson (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County transportation officials think they have found a better way to prioritize and manage sidewalk, trail and crosswalk improvements after several rocky years.

Yesterday (Tuesday), the Board of Supervisors informally ratified a proposal for Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff to develop a three-year cycle for listing all potential projects, then prioritizing them based on cost and community impact considerations.

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Herndon’s first flashing pedestrian beacon coming to W&OD crossing

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 30, 2026 at 11:45AM

The W&OD Trail crossing at Crestview Drive in Herndon (via Google Maps)

A new pedestrian safety measure will soon help slow down drivers as they approach a Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail crossing in Herndon.

The Town of Herndon announced last week that it’s working to install a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) for the crosswalk connecting the trail across Crestview Drive near Old Heights Road.

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County seeking public feedback on proposed Idylwood Road walkway

By Acacia James

Published March 27, 2026 at 1:45PM

Fairfax County's proposed walkway on Idylwood Road will extend from Idylwood Court to Hillside Drive (via Fairfax County Department of Transportation)

Fairfax County officials are seeking public feedback on a proposed walkway along Idylwood Road to improve pedestrian and bicycle access.

The project will replace existing sidewalk and asphalt trail segments to form a continuous walkway along the northwest side of the road, extending about 100 feet of sidewalk east of Idylwood Court and 170 feet of trail west of Hillside Drive.

Countywide

Compromise on ActiveFairfax plan aims to ease tensions between trail users, nature advocates

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Bicycle riders on trail (via Vito Natale/Unsplash)

Fairfax County staff have revised language in the proposed Active Transportation and Trails Plan in an effort to smooth out friction between advocates for pedestrians/bicyclists and environmental issues.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Wednesday night (March 18) reviewed the proposed changes and recommended approval of the new plan by the Board of Supervisors when the issue is addressed in May.

Countywide

FCDOT seeks feedback on proposed pedestrian, bicyclist improvement projects

By Jared Serre

Published March 11, 2026 at 11:15AM

A crossing on Ridge Heights Road outside Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County officials are seeking input on how to allocate millions of dollars in funding for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled a list of proposed projects last month and is now actively accepting survey responses until 4:30 p.m. on March 31.

News

County endorses planned upgrades of Route 29 pedestrian and bicycle paths in Centreville

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 6, 2026 at 9:15AM

Route 29 at Trinity Parkway (via VDOT)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (March 3) endorsed plans by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for pedestrian and bicyclist improvements along two segments of Route 29 in Centreville.

The project aims to upgrade multimodal facilities:

News

Completed path gives residents direct route to Innovation Center Metro station

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County officials celebrate the completion of the Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project (via Fairfax County/YouTube)

After more than a year of construction and a decade of planning, residents who live north of the Innovation Center Metro station near Herndon can finally walk or bike directly to the transit stop.

Fairfax County officials cut a ribbon last Friday (Feb. 27) to celebrate the completion of the Innovation Station North Neighborhood Access project, which added a shared-use path and two pedestrian bridges to connect the neighborhoods along Farougi Court and Apgar Place to the Metro station’s kiss-and-ride lot.

News

Multi-year project to fill missing pedestrian links on Route 50 now complete

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 1, 2025 at 8:30AM

Asphalt shared-use path along Route 50 in Merrifield (via Fairfax County)

Pedestrians can now walk directly from Merrifield to Fairfax Circle, or vice versa, along Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) without having to cross or step into the busy roadway.

The final piece of a multi-year initiative to improve the pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 50 between Blake Lane and Prosperity Avenue was completed last month, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation announced.