Plan to connect Crystal City to DCA with pedestrian bridge moving forward
ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. - Nearly 15 years after it was originally proposed as an idea, funding has been secured, environmental studies are done and public feedback is underway for a pedestrian bridge connecting Crystal City and Reagan National Airport.
The public had a chance to weigh in with Arlington County officials on Wednesday, now that environmental studies have concluded. That event was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Aurora Hills Community Center.
Arlington County is the lead on the project.
Earlier this week, the National Landing Business Improvement District released watercolor images of their vision of the project.
Arlington County stresses the design phase is still underway and the renderings are not a representation of what this project will eventually look like.
However, in a public presentation released two weeks ago, they said they expect the bridge to be around 950 feet long and 20 feet wide to accommodate pedestrians, bikers and small transit options like scooters.
A pedestrian walkway was recommended in 2010, but didn’t quite get momentum until 2018 when Amazon announced its East Coast Headquarters in Arlington.
"Especially if I lived right here, it seems dumb to drive 20 feet to the left and then, obviously walking to the metro would be another way to get there, but that’s a further walk than just straight up walking to the airport. That’s my first time hearing about it, but it makes sense to me," said Aubrey Kidder, who would use the bridge if it’s built.
Deven Harris works nearby and says if the weather is good and his bags aren’t too heavy, he’s in.
"Permitting upon the weather, but yeah, aside from that, I wouldn’t mind it," Harris said.
As for why it’s taking so long: An update provided by Arlington a few weeks ago helps paint the picture.
There are federal, state, local regulations a bridge has to have, compliance with the ADA, compliance with the owner of the railroad, National Park Service, Reagan National Airport, environmental considerations.
Connie Ericson came to Wednesday night’s meeting to give feedback for protecting avian life.
"If there’s any glassed-in areas, we’d like it to have bird-safe windows, and we’re also concerned about excessive lighting. Want to make sure whatever lighting they put in is Dark Sky compliant," Ericson said.
Some at Reagan National told FOX 5 who said they’re skeptical this will meaningfully reduce some of the traffic buildups.
But Ericson believes it could have a positive impact.
As of now, Arlington County is planning on having a final design in about a year.
The Source: National Landing Business Improvement District, FOX 5 reporting