McLean Revitalization Projects Move Forward
From the Times Community
By Jerry Schanke
Jan. 18, 2005

As McLean residents are painfully aware, despite the community's many amenities, thoroughfares crisscrossing the Central Business District (CBD) present pedestrian hazards and antiquated aboveground utilities are the source of frequent power outages along those same thoroughfares.

Although solving these problems completely is likely to take many years, two McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) projects along Chain Bridge Road between Westmoreland Street and Old Dominion Drive will address at least some of those issues in 2006, according to Lane Gabeler, chairman of MRC's Board of Directors.

A streetscape demonstration project will feature both “hardscaping” and landscaping along Chain Bridge Road between Westmoreland Street and Cedar Avenue. “Hardscaping” will include a raised median, a center turn lane and brickwork aimed at traffic calming, in addition to trees, bushes, benches and other pedestrian amenities.

Jeanmarie Roberson, an engineer with Fairfax County's Transportation Design Branch and streetscape project director, said the project will cost an estimated $800,000 in federal and state funds. Roberson said all easements have been secured and she noted, “best case, bids will be advertised late summer,” assuming VDOT certification of rights of way and authorization of the county to advertise bids.

Gabeler, discussing the projects with The Times Jan. 11, left little doubt about her strong support for the undergrounding of utilities project, particularly.

“We're living in a third-world country,” Gabeler said, describing frequent power interruptions and the frustrations of business owners and residents. She estimated the utilities project, centered in and around the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive, addresses about 10 percent of the aboveground utilities in the community.

A Chamber of Commerce study of power outages in the Central Business District will continue, Gabeler added.

W. Todd Minnix, like Roberson, an engineer and project director for Fairfax County, said the utilities project will affect mainly Cox Cable and Dominion Virginia Power. He estimated the total project cost at about $1.8 million, including proffers from local businesses, including an Exxon service station and the Palladium.

Minnix said that, if all easements are acquired by June, the projects could be out for bid in July. “We're hoping to start construction in August,” he said, “with completion by Nov. 1.”

Gabeler said MRC recognizes that any street projects in traffic-choked Northern Virginia are inconvenient at best and said every effort will be made to minimize disruptions.

McLean is one of seven revitalization districts in Fairfax County.

© Times Community Newspapers 2006

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