The City has been awarded $9.25M in VDOT SmartScale funding for this project. This funding is currently available.  

Project Description

This proposed project is construction of 1,850 linear feet of new sidewalk as well as improvements to bus stop facilities along the west side of Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) between Taba Cove and Warwick Ave. Upon completion, this project will provide complete and continuous pedestrian access and upgraded bus stop accommodations along Chain Bridge Road pad between two local Activity Centers (Old Town Fairfax to Northfax). Currently, there is no sidewalk along most of the west side of this busy corridor nor are there accessible or inviting bus stop amenities. The bus stops will be improved according to the City’s Bus Stop Design Guidelines. 

The City has developed a general concept plan that shows the approximate alignment of the proposed sidewalk. See below under Documents for Download.

This is not a detailed engineering plan. Detailed engineering will commence shortly as funds are now available. The City does anticipate requiring easements from adjacent property owners for this project and will do its best to minimize that need. At this time, exact right of way needs are not known.  

This project is included in the City’s Two Year Transportation Program, which is a list of priority projects to pursue for funding consideration in the upcoming round of applications for outside transportation funding. This project was included in the Two Year Program as it advances many of the goals in the City’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan. 

Funding Application 

The City has been awarded $9.25M in VDOT SmartScale funding. 

SmartScale is a method of scoring transportation projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Projects are scored in the categories of safety, congestion mitigation, accessibility, environmental quality, economic development, and land use. Once the projects are scored they are then ranked and selected for funding by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. For more information about the SmartScale process, click here.

Estimated Schedule

January 17, 2024: Open house information session, City Hall Atrium

Spring – Summer 2024: Continue detailed design, prepare public hearing information.

Summer 2024: Public Hearing

2025: Property Acquisition & Utility Relocation

2026: Construct Project

Documents for Download 

• Chain Bridge Road Sidewalk and Bus Stop Improvement Concept Plan Exhibit 1 (April 10, 2020)
• Chain Bridge Road Sidewalk and Bus Stop Improvement Concept Plan Exhibit 2 (April 10, 2020)
• Chain Bridge Road Sidewalk and Bus Stop Improvement Concept Plan Exhibit 3 (April 10, 2020)
• Chain Bridge Road Sidewalk and Bus Stop Improvement Exhibit (March 23, 2020) 
• Chain Bridge Road and Sidewalk Open House Exhibit (January 17, 2024)
• Programmatic Categorical Exclusion Finalized (September 22, 2023)

For more information or to leave your comments on the 60% plan, visit this project's engage page. Public comments for the 60% plan are due July 21.