Plans for W&OD Bridge Over Wiehle Taking Shape

Plans for a pedestrian bridge that takes the W&OD Trail over Wiehle Avenue are taking shape.

The bridge will help ease chaos at that intersection, which is where Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue meet and where emergency vehicles continually enter and exit a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station.

It is also just North of the Wiehle-Reston Metro and its accompanying foot and car traffic. The trail itself is a popular walking, running and biking path.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation now has a timeline. The agency is holding a public meeting March 17, 6:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.

The bridge is expected to cost $10 million, said project manager Scott Riffner. The bridge will replace the street crossing and will accommodate both the gravel path and asphalt W&OD Trail. The FCDOT also plans minor roadway, sidewalk and median modifications will be made to Wiehle Avenue to accommodate the bridge and the necessary drainage and stormwater management features.

The project is part of the Third Four-Year Transportation Program that was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2012.

Here is a tentative project schedule:

• Public Hearing, Winter 2016
• Document Completion, Winter 2016
• Public Hearing Design Approval, Spring 2016
• Land Acquisition Completion, Spring 2018
• Final Design Approval, Winter 2018
• Utility Relocation Completion, Summer 2019
• Construction Completion, Winter 2021

Rendering of W&OD Bridge over Wiehle Avenue/Credit: FCDOT