VDOT | FFXnow - Part 7

Vote deferred on redevelopment of AT&T office campus in Oakton

Published February 28, 2025 at 9:45AM

Rendering of a retail-lined main street in the proposed AT&T campus redevelopment in Oakton (courtesy EYA)

Unresolved issues ranging from traffic and pedestrian safety to parks, schools and overall density led the Fairfax County Planning Commission to defer action on Wednesday (Feb. 26) on a key step toward the redevelopment of the former AT&T site in Oakton.

The 33-acre parcel at the intersection of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) and Jermantown Road is one of several contiguous plots of land expected to be redeveloped in coming years as part of the 110-acre Flint Hill Suburban Center planning district.

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Proposal to redevelop AT&T offices ignites new look at Oakton road conditions

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 25, 2025 at 9:00AM

A rendering of EYA's proposed AT&T office site redevelopment from Chain Bridge Road (via Fairfax County)

Everyone seems to agree that Oakton’s roadways are untenable for drivers as well as pedestrians and cyclists, especially in light of recent fatal crashes.

The dividing line between supporters and skeptics of a proposed overhaul of AT&T’s office campus and other mixed-use developments in the area has become whether they believe the impending projects will alleviate or exacerbate the current congested, hazardous status quo.

Countywide

JUST IN: FCPS to open on two-hour delay Thursday due to icy weather

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 5, 2025 at 3:55PM | Updated February 5, 2025 at 4:12PM

The surface of Wolftrap Creek turned to ice after snowstorms in January 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools will clear school grounds early tonight (Wednesday) and start classes late tomorrow (Thursday) in anticipation of some wintry weather.

FCPS announced that all activities on school grounds, including sports practices and extracurricular activities, must wrap up by 9 p.m. In addition, schools will start on a two-hour delay tomorrow with a mix of snow and sleet expected to freeze overnight.

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More demolitions planned along Richmond Highway as Bus Rapid Transit project ramps up

By James Jarvis

Published January 24, 2025 at 1:15PM

Residents attend an in-person update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Gerry South Hyland Government Center on Jan. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County is ramping up property demolitions in anticipation of its long-planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system along Richmond Highway.

Transportation officials shared during an in-person public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15 that nine buildings have already been cleared to make way for the project. Another 21 demolitions are scheduled by the end of 2025 as the county works to prepare the corridor for utility relocations in 2026 and eventual construction in 2028.

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Bridge construction will close I-495 North lanes near Tysons this weekend

By Jared Serre

Published January 21, 2025 at 9:00AM

Map of road closures on I-495 North in late January (via VDOT)

If you’re thinking about taking the Capital Beltway near McLean this weekend, you might want to reconsider that plan.

Starting on the night of Friday, Jan. 24, four of the six northbound lanes on I-495 will be shut down for one mile from the Route 7 interchange (Leesburg Pike) in Tysons to Lewinsville Road in McLean to accommodate construction.

Countywide

VDOT’s snowstorm cleanup gets critical reviews from Fairfax County board

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 14, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated January 14, 2025 at 6:33PM

Snow and ice cover Rupert Street in McLean on Jan. 8, 2025 (courtesy Jennifer Myers)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking answers to what it feels was an inadequate response to last week’s Jan. 6 snowstorm by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

“Planning, execution and communication fell far short of the service level that our residents demand and deserve,” supervisors said in a joint board matter adopted at the governing body’s meeting today (Tuesday).

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Snow and icy roads still an issue in McLean neighborhoods, residents say

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 9, 2025 at 8:15AM | Updated January 9, 2025 at 11:06AM

Brawner Street at Calder Road in McLean with snow and ice on Jan. 8, 2025 (courtesy Jennifer Myers)

Fairfax County is now in its third day of recovery from the snowstorm that walloped the D.C. region on Monday (Jan. 6), but traveling in McLean remains a struggle.

Resident Jennifer Myers told FFXnow last night (Wednesday) that about an inch of compacted ice has accumulated on the roads in her neighborhood near McLean High School, presenting safety concerns for both drivers and pedestrians.

Countywide

Fairfax County suspends bus and trash service, travel discouraged as snow falls

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 6, 2025 at 10:20AM

An emergency vehicle drives in the snow on Burke Lake Road around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The snowstorm that began overnight has effectively shut down Fairfax County.

After closing most local government offices and facilities, the county announced this morning (Monday) that Fairfax Connector has suspended all bus service, as of 7:46 a.m., and no trash and recycling collection services will be provided today.

Countywide

VDOT to prep roads for snowstorm that could hit D.C. area

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 3, 2025 at 9:00AM | Updated January 3, 2025 at 9:24AM

An anti-icing truck on Route 123 in Tysons from January 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Though a flurry of flakes rushed through the area in late November, this weekend could bring D.C. area’s first serious snowfall of the season.

The National Weather Service is currently predicting a 70% chance of precipitation today (Friday), with rain likely turning into snow mixed with rain after 3 p.m. Less than half an inch of snow is expected.

News

Tysons developers now have to pay a bit more to support public facilities

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 27, 2024 at 11:15AM

Scott's Run Trail near Westgate Park in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County has bumped up the amount of money developers must contribute toward public facilities in Tysons if they’re unable to deliver the goods themselves.

As of Dec. 16, the county is charging developers who submit rezoning applications for Tysons sites $2.22 per square foot of their project’s gross floor area to support the construction of roads, parks and other public spaces and infrastructure, Department of Planning and Development (DPD) staff said in a recent report to the Board of Supervisors.