Get a Look at Planned Wiehle Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Tonight

The Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills Road intersection is being targeted for pedestrian improvements by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. The public is invited to hear more at a public hearing Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.

That location, never a smooth one for motorists and pedestrians, has become more crowded — and sometimes dangerous — since the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station opened just south of it in 2014.

It’s the confluence of two major roads, increasing development, a Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Station, a popular fast food area, and the W&OD pedestrian and bike trail.

The county is planning a new pedestrian bridge to improve vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station as noted in Reston Metrorail Access Group’s (RMAG) plan.

Says the county:

The bridge will be located on the W&OD Trail and extend over Wiehle Avenue replacing the existing at-grade crossing. The new bridge will accommodate both the gravel path and asphalt W&OD Trail at this location.

Minor roadway, sidewalk and median modifications will be made to Wiehle Avenue at this location to accommodate the bridge.

Several utility relocations will be required for the project site along with the installation of drainage and stormwater management features.

The bridge is expected to cost $10 million, said project manager Scott Riffner.

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

FCDOT is seeking public feedback about the bridge’s potential design elements. Find out how to give your feedback.

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

See graphics below to get an idea of what the footbridge may look like.

Bridge Renderings by Karen Goldberg Goff

Renderings of foot bridge/Courtesy FCDOT