Route 7 | FFXnow

Transportation officials suggest upgrading popular Metrobus route ahead of Route 7 BRT

Published June 25, 2024 at 10:15AM | Updated June 26, 2024 at 9:43AM

Metrobus going to Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With Route 7 still years away from getting a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, regional transportation planners want to improve Metro’s existing service in the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.

In response to feedback suggesting the process could be sped up, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is developing a strategic implementation plan that considers short-term enhancements for Metrobus 28A, even as it keeps studying how to eventually convert the route into a higher-capacity, higher-frequency BRT.

News

Expanded Route 7 is now fully operational from Reston to Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 1, 2024 at 9:30AM

Route 7 has been expanded to six lanes from Reston to Tysons (courtesy VDOT)

New vehicle lanes and a shared-use trail are officially open to travelers on Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) after almost five years of construction.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last night (Tuesday) that it has finished expanding the roadway from four to six travel lanes — three in each direction — between Riva Ridge Drive in Reston and Jarrett Valley Drive just north of the Dulles Toll Road in Tysons.

Around Town

New Route 7 shared-use path featured in upcoming ‘Tour de Hunter Mill’ bicycle ride

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 25, 2024 at 9:30AM

Left to right: Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling President Bruce Wright, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn and Reston Bike Club Vice Chairman Joel Kuester team up to promote the upcoming Tour de Hunter Mill community bicycle ride (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

The annual Tour de Hunter Mill bicycle ride will kick into full gear early next month with new routes designed to show off sights and amenities throughout the district.

Registration is now open for the fourth iteration of the May 5 community bike ride, which was introduced in 2021 by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.

News

Arlington man charged with manslaughter for fatal Bailey’s Crossroads crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2024 at 9:30AM

Westbound Leesburg Pike at South Jefferson Street in Bailey's Crossroads (via Google Maps)

A 23-year-old man from Arlington has been charged with manslaughter in connection to a Feb. 16 crash in Bailey’s Crossroads that resulted in the death of a 93-year-old woman.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced on Thursday (April 4) that its detectives believe Isai Jimenez Paz was speeding when he allegedly crashed into a Toyota Corolla at the Leesburg Pike and South Jefferson Street intersection.

News

Route 7 widening in Pimmit Hills among local transportation projects up for regional funds

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 3, 2024 at 11:00AM

Traffic southbound on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) at Ramada Road in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking public input on several projects vying for inclusion in its six-year funding program.

The biggest request by far comes from Fairfax County, which applied for $587.2 million to fund four major projects — more than the other eight localities participating in the fiscal year 2024-2029 Six-Year Program combined.

News

Driver charged with traffic violation for fatal Bailey’s Crossroads motorcycle crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 2, 2024 at 3:30PM

Westbound Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) at Glen Carlyn Drive (via Google Maps)

The driver involved in last month’s fatal motorcycle crash on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) has been charged with failing to yield on a left turn.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Monday) that its detectives had arrested the 35-year-old man from Bailey’s Crossroads and charged him with the traffic violation. He was released from custody after being served a summons.

News

Motorcyclist killed in Bailey’s Crossroads crash on Leesburg Pike

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 12, 2024 at 11:15AM

Westbound Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) at Glen Carlyn Drive (via Google Maps)

A 19-year-old man from Arlington died Sunday night (March 10) after reportedly crashing into a sedan while riding his motorcycle in Bailey’s Crossroads.

Officers responded to the intersection of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Glen Carlyn Drive at 11:10 p.m. on Sunday for a crash involving a 1996 Yamaha motorcycle and a 2000 Acura sedan, the Fairfax County Police Department said yesterday (Monday) in a news release.

Around Town

Nashville hot chicken chain set to open in Bailey’s Crossroads

By James Jarvis

Published March 4, 2024 at 11:45AM

Crossroads Place in Falls Church (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A Los Angeles fast-food chain that specializes in Nashville-style fried chicken is planning to spice up Bailey’s Crossroads.

Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to the Crossroads Place shopping center, situated at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and South Jefferson Street, property manager Levin Management, a New Jersey-based realty management company, announced last week.

News

FCPD: Woman, 93, has died after getting injured in Bailey’s Crossroads crash

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2024 at 11:55AM

The intersection of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and South Jefferson Street in Bailey's Crossroads (via Google Maps)

A 93-year-old woman died earlier this week from injuries she sustained in a car crash on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in Bailey’s Crossroads, police say.

Gladys Bilbao, a Falls Church resident, was in the front passenger seat of a 2007 Toyota Corolla when the driver collided with a 2023 Toyota GR86 in the South Jefferson Street intersection around 7 p.m. on Feb. 16, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

News

Affordable housing developer jumpstarts initiative to clean up Tysons’ green spaces

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 19, 2024 at 11:00AM

Crews have begun clearing overgrowth and invasive plants from the Route 7 and Route 123 interchange (courtesy SCG Development)

With the help of local developers and property owners, the Tysons Community Alliance is on a mission to beautify the green spaces found where many of the area’s major roads intersect.

The first site targeted is the southwest quadrant of the Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Route 123 (Chain Bridge Road) interchange, where the Vienna-based company Tyson’s Tree Service began clearing overgrowth, invasive plants and dead trees on Jan. 2.