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Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Traffic News
()
Date: July 28, 2011 12:57PM
VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
By Nicholas F. Benton
Wednesday, July 27 2011 04:57:39 PM
http://www.fcnp.com/news/9759-vdot-set-to-launch-110-million-gallows-a-rt-29-intersection-dig.html
Following a final "pardon our dust" public hearing slated for last night at the Luther Jackson Middle School, the Virginia Department of Transportation is launching the next, construction phase of its long-awaited $110 million improvement project at the intersection of Route 29 (Lee Highway) and Gallows Road in Merrifield.
After three years of preparations, including the removal of the world's most popular Taco Bell at that corner more than two years ago, VDOT is finally ready to move in the bulldozers and begin work on the project, expected to take until late November 2012 to complete.
The massive undertaking - designed, according to VDOT, to "improve multi-modal options" in the area by "increasing safety, reducing congestion and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian access" - comes as work on the massive mixed-use development adjacent that intersection, known as the Mosaic, also gets underway. That will bring residential condos, a movie theatre, a Target store and more to the location that once was occupied by the also-long-gone Merrifield Multiplex theaters. The intersection is also near the Dunn Loring Metro station.
Heavy construction work is no stranger to the area, as ongoing nearby work on the new HOT lanes on the Beltway, involving widening of I-495 to accommodate new "high occupancy" paid travel lanes, have entertained residents and motorists in the neighborhood for more than a year already.
The previous three years involved, concerning the Gallows-Lee Highway intersection, relocation and right-of-way acquisition efforts by VDOT. The elements of the intersection improvements will be as follows:
• Widening Route 29 from two to three though lanes in each direction between Merrilee Drive and I-495 (about 0.6 miles).
• Widening Gallows Road from two to three through lanes in each direction between Gatehouse Road and Prosperity Avenue (about 0.8 miles).
• On Route 29, a six-foot sidewalk on the westbound side and a five-foot sidewalk on the eastbound side.
• On Gallows Road, a 10-foot asphalt shared-use path on the west side, and a six-foot sidewalk on the east side.
• Dual left-turn lanes on Route 29 at Gallows Road.
• Landscaped medians on both approaches.
As expected, not everyone is pleased. A bicycling advocacy group, Fairfax Advocacy for Better Bicycling, stated on its website this week, "Gallows Road is a major north-south connector for all modes of transportation, and a 10 foot shared-use path isn't sufficient to serve the pedestrian and bike traffic expected in this area. The five and six-foot sidewalks along Rt. 29 are even worse."
They claim the plans are contrary to the Countywide Trails Plan, which has major paved trails (eight feet or more) on each side of both roads.
According to VDOT, drivers can expect to see traffic periodically reduced to a single lane through the area, although they hope to limit that to nighttime off-peak hours. Access to businesses will be maintained, and efforts will be made throughout to minimize traffic disruptions.
The total of $110 million for the effort involves $76 million to acquire for 70 right-of-way parcels, extensive utility work to move seven underground fuel tanks and a separate $8 million project to relocate and upgrade water mains, $10.6 million for preliminary engineering, and $23 million for the next, direct construction phase.
By Nicholas F. Benton
Wednesday, July 27 2011 04:57:39 PM
http://www.fcnp.com/news/9759-vdot-set-to-launch-110-million-gallows-a-rt-29-intersection-dig.html
Following a final "pardon our dust" public hearing slated for last night at the Luther Jackson Middle School, the Virginia Department of Transportation is launching the next, construction phase of its long-awaited $110 million improvement project at the intersection of Route 29 (Lee Highway) and Gallows Road in Merrifield.
After three years of preparations, including the removal of the world's most popular Taco Bell at that corner more than two years ago, VDOT is finally ready to move in the bulldozers and begin work on the project, expected to take until late November 2012 to complete.
The massive undertaking - designed, according to VDOT, to "improve multi-modal options" in the area by "increasing safety, reducing congestion and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian access" - comes as work on the massive mixed-use development adjacent that intersection, known as the Mosaic, also gets underway. That will bring residential condos, a movie theatre, a Target store and more to the location that once was occupied by the also-long-gone Merrifield Multiplex theaters. The intersection is also near the Dunn Loring Metro station.
Heavy construction work is no stranger to the area, as ongoing nearby work on the new HOT lanes on the Beltway, involving widening of I-495 to accommodate new "high occupancy" paid travel lanes, have entertained residents and motorists in the neighborhood for more than a year already.
The previous three years involved, concerning the Gallows-Lee Highway intersection, relocation and right-of-way acquisition efforts by VDOT. The elements of the intersection improvements will be as follows:
• Widening Route 29 from two to three though lanes in each direction between Merrilee Drive and I-495 (about 0.6 miles).
• Widening Gallows Road from two to three through lanes in each direction between Gatehouse Road and Prosperity Avenue (about 0.8 miles).
• On Route 29, a six-foot sidewalk on the westbound side and a five-foot sidewalk on the eastbound side.
• On Gallows Road, a 10-foot asphalt shared-use path on the west side, and a six-foot sidewalk on the east side.
• Dual left-turn lanes on Route 29 at Gallows Road.
• Landscaped medians on both approaches.
As expected, not everyone is pleased. A bicycling advocacy group, Fairfax Advocacy for Better Bicycling, stated on its website this week, "Gallows Road is a major north-south connector for all modes of transportation, and a 10 foot shared-use path isn't sufficient to serve the pedestrian and bike traffic expected in this area. The five and six-foot sidewalks along Rt. 29 are even worse."
They claim the plans are contrary to the Countywide Trails Plan, which has major paved trails (eight feet or more) on each side of both roads.
According to VDOT, drivers can expect to see traffic periodically reduced to a single lane through the area, although they hope to limit that to nighttime off-peak hours. Access to businesses will be maintained, and efforts will be made throughout to minimize traffic disruptions.
The total of $110 million for the effort involves $76 million to acquire for 70 right-of-way parcels, extensive utility work to move seven underground fuel tanks and a separate $8 million project to relocate and upgrade water mains, $10.6 million for preliminary engineering, and $23 million for the next, direct construction phase.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
roughbook
()
Date: July 28, 2011 01:17PM
Who keeps putting news clippings up?
If i want to read the news, I will read the news on a news website.
I come here for the atmosphere...
If i want to read the news, I will read the news on a news website.
I come here for the atmosphere...
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Neck for Noose
()
Date: July 28, 2011 01:21PM
roughbook Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who keeps putting news clippings up?
>
> If i want to read the news, I will read the news
> on a news website.
>
> I come here for the atmosphere...
His name is Patrick and he is obnoxious as fuck. Also posts a shit-ton of news stories in off-topic under the unregistered name Nose for News. If you don't like it, send a PM to the username Inkahootz (the registered name of unregistered user Nose for News and an untold number of other unregistered names)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2011 01:22PM by Neck for Noose.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Who keeps putting news clippings up?
>
> If i want to read the news, I will read the news
> on a news website.
>
> I come here for the atmosphere...
His name is Patrick and he is obnoxious as fuck. Also posts a shit-ton of news stories in off-topic under the unregistered name Nose for News. If you don't like it, send a PM to the username Inkahootz (the registered name of unregistered user Nose for News and an untold number of other unregistered names)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/2011 01:22PM by Neck for Noose.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
sjadklfjklaafskldfj
()
Date: July 28, 2011 01:41PM
Great, just as this country is about to default on our bonds we are starting more construction. Can't this shit just wait
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Concerned Parents
()
Date: July 28, 2011 01:45PM
Neck for Noose Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> roughbook Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Who keeps putting news clippings up?
> >
> > If i want to read the news, I will read the
> news
> > on a news website.
> >
> > I come here for the atmosphere...
>
>
> His name is Patrick and he is obnoxious as fuck.
> Also posts a shit-ton of news stories in off-topic
> under the unregistered name Nose for News. If you
> don't like it, send a PM to the username Inkahootz
> (the registered name of unregistered user Nose for
> News and an untold number of other unregistered
> names)
What's the problem? I like reading the news and it pertains to the county. What do you two contribute? Nothing but shit!
-------------------------------------------------------
> roughbook Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Who keeps putting news clippings up?
> >
> > If i want to read the news, I will read the
> news
> > on a news website.
> >
> > I come here for the atmosphere...
>
>
> His name is Patrick and he is obnoxious as fuck.
> Also posts a shit-ton of news stories in off-topic
> under the unregistered name Nose for News. If you
> don't like it, send a PM to the username Inkahootz
> (the registered name of unregistered user Nose for
> News and an untold number of other unregistered
> names)
What's the problem? I like reading the news and it pertains to the county. What do you two contribute? Nothing but shit!
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
sjadklfjklaafskldfj
()
Date: July 28, 2011 01:47PM
Concerned Parent God I'd hate to be your kid
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
DH
()
Date: July 28, 2011 04:19PM
"including the removal of the world's most popular Taco Bell"
Worlds most popular, WHAT??
Worlds most popular, WHAT??
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Gordon Blvd
()
Date: July 28, 2011 05:33PM
yeah, it REALLY was popular back in the day - it was the first in the County if not the region
just to give you an idea, traffic on the Beltway woudl routinely back up afternoons due to the US 50 exit ramp backing up, due to the 50/Gallows light backing up, due to all the traffic on Gallows between 50 and 29 backing up, due to the fact the 29/Gallows light was immobile, DUE TO THE FACT THAT CARS WERE BACKING UP IN THE TACO BELL DRIVE THRU!!
One of the reasons the 50/Gallows light became an interchange is cause of that Taco Bell, no joke!
Course there are a LOT more Taco Bells now, so it's not the same, but back in the day, it really was QUITE the place
just to give you an idea, traffic on the Beltway woudl routinely back up afternoons due to the US 50 exit ramp backing up, due to the 50/Gallows light backing up, due to all the traffic on Gallows between 50 and 29 backing up, due to the fact the 29/Gallows light was immobile, DUE TO THE FACT THAT CARS WERE BACKING UP IN THE TACO BELL DRIVE THRU!!
One of the reasons the 50/Gallows light became an interchange is cause of that Taco Bell, no joke!
Course there are a LOT more Taco Bells now, so it's not the same, but back in the day, it really was QUITE the place
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Rick
()
Date: July 28, 2011 05:35PM
It was the highest grossing taco bell in the chain for quite awhile...
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Concerned Parents
()
Date: July 28, 2011 05:38PM
sjadklfjklaafskldfj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Concerned Parent God I'd hate to be your kid
You sure would hate it, we don't let messicans into our household. LOL
-------------------------------------------------------
> Concerned Parent God I'd hate to be your kid
You sure would hate it, we don't let messicans into our household. LOL
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Funny_Guy
()
Date: July 28, 2011 05:39PM
Gordon Blvd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> yeah, it REALLY was popular back in the day - it
> was the first in the County if not the region
>
> just to give you an idea, traffic on the Beltway
> woudl routinely back up afternoons due to the US
> 50 exit ramp backing up, due to the 50/Gallows
> light backing up, due to all the traffic on
> Gallows between 50 and 29 backing up, due to the
> fact the 29/Gallows light was immobile, DUE TO THE
> FACT THAT CARS WERE BACKING UP IN THE TACO BELL
> DRIVE THRU!!
>
> One of the reasons the 50/Gallows light became an
> interchange is cause of that Taco Bell, no joke!
>
> Course there are a LOT more Taco Bells now, so
> it's not the same, but back in the day, it really
> was QUITE the place
I used to work near there and I'd hit that place every night for Chilitos. Great stuff!
-------------------------------------------------------
> yeah, it REALLY was popular back in the day - it
> was the first in the County if not the region
>
> just to give you an idea, traffic on the Beltway
> woudl routinely back up afternoons due to the US
> 50 exit ramp backing up, due to the 50/Gallows
> light backing up, due to all the traffic on
> Gallows between 50 and 29 backing up, due to the
> fact the 29/Gallows light was immobile, DUE TO THE
> FACT THAT CARS WERE BACKING UP IN THE TACO BELL
> DRIVE THRU!!
>
> One of the reasons the 50/Gallows light became an
> interchange is cause of that Taco Bell, no joke!
>
> Course there are a LOT more Taco Bells now, so
> it's not the same, but back in the day, it really
> was QUITE the place
I used to work near there and I'd hit that place every night for Chilitos. Great stuff!
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
high end
()
Date: July 28, 2011 05:44PM
I hope they add high end shops and restaurants so we can run the bad shit out of town.
**I just hope they move to Manassas and not Centreville.
**I just hope they move to Manassas and not Centreville.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
DH
()
Date: July 28, 2011 06:39PM
Gordon Blvd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> yeah, it REALLY was popular back in the day - it
> was the first in the County if not the region
>
> just to give you an idea, traffic on the Beltway
> woudl routinely back up afternoons due to the US
> 50 exit ramp backing up, due to the 50/Gallows
> light backing up, due to all the traffic on
> Gallows between 50 and 29 backing up, due to the
> fact the 29/Gallows light was immobile, DUE TO THE
> FACT THAT CARS WERE BACKING UP IN THE TACO BELL
> DRIVE THRU!!
>
> One of the reasons the 50/Gallows light became an
> interchange is cause of that Taco Bell, no joke!
>
> Course there are a LOT more Taco Bells now, so
> it's not the same, but back in the day, it really
> was QUITE the place
No chit! I never knew that. Learn something new everyday.
-------------------------------------------------------
> yeah, it REALLY was popular back in the day - it
> was the first in the County if not the region
>
> just to give you an idea, traffic on the Beltway
> woudl routinely back up afternoons due to the US
> 50 exit ramp backing up, due to the 50/Gallows
> light backing up, due to all the traffic on
> Gallows between 50 and 29 backing up, due to the
> fact the 29/Gallows light was immobile, DUE TO THE
> FACT THAT CARS WERE BACKING UP IN THE TACO BELL
> DRIVE THRU!!
>
> One of the reasons the 50/Gallows light became an
> interchange is cause of that Taco Bell, no joke!
>
> Course there are a LOT more Taco Bells now, so
> it's not the same, but back in the day, it really
> was QUITE the place
No chit! I never knew that. Learn something new everyday.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Wow
()
Date: July 29, 2011 07:40PM
Just can't believe it costs over $100 million for road work.. Although it is extensive.. a hundred million? Wow
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
KeepOnTruckin
()
Date: July 30, 2011 07:35PM
Yeah 100 million and no interchanges? well, with VDOT everything costs more for all the management that is required to do anything
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
bigdog
()
Date: August 01, 2011 08:43PM
Does this mean that the cops will stop writing tickets on gallows at providence forest. Usually 2-3 cops there a couple of days a week.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
RedNeckRider
()
Date: August 01, 2011 10:37PM
bigdog Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does this mean that the cops will stop writing
> tickets on gallows at providence forest. Usually
> 2-3 cops there a couple of days a week.
Providence forest wasn't meant for a drag strip, like some people use it for.
I want to know when they are going to get rid of that shit ass place called "henry's towing".
I'm sure it's time will come along with that entire block. It pretty much can be wiped out and some townhouse's built or something.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does this mean that the cops will stop writing
> tickets on gallows at providence forest. Usually
> 2-3 cops there a couple of days a week.
Providence forest wasn't meant for a drag strip, like some people use it for.
I want to know when they are going to get rid of that shit ass place called "henry's towing".
I'm sure it's time will come along with that entire block. It pretty much can be wiped out and some townhouse's built or something.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Moneyball
()
Date: August 02, 2011 12:37AM
KeepOnTruckin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah 100 million and no interchanges? well, with
> VDOT everything costs more for all the management
> that is required to do anything
According to a previous post, $76 million is going toward eminent domain proceedings or straight buyouts of property, just to clear the way. You will defintely not see $110 million in new road construction. The math would be $34 million in actual road construction, if the other numbers are realistic.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah 100 million and no interchanges? well, with
> VDOT everything costs more for all the management
> that is required to do anything
According to a previous post, $76 million is going toward eminent domain proceedings or straight buyouts of property, just to clear the way. You will defintely not see $110 million in new road construction. The math would be $34 million in actual road construction, if the other numbers are realistic.
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Jack N. Thebox
()
Date: August 02, 2011 12:47AM
Traffic News Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> After three years of preparations, including the
> removal of the world's most popular Taco Bell at
> that corner more than two years ago, VDOT is
> finally ready to move in the bulldozers and begin
> work on the project, expected to take until late
> November 2012 to complete.
The Taco Bell used to be a very high grossing Jack-In-The-Box, so the progression was a decent fit. JITB decided, at some point, to pull out of Eastern markets, which now seems to be a fairly short-sighted plan. They would have ruled absolutely at that location, and they should even consider coming back into the Mosaic Project...they would rock!
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> After three years of preparations, including the
> removal of the world's most popular Taco Bell at
> that corner more than two years ago, VDOT is
> finally ready to move in the bulldozers and begin
> work on the project, expected to take until late
> November 2012 to complete.
The Taco Bell used to be a very high grossing Jack-In-The-Box, so the progression was a decent fit. JITB decided, at some point, to pull out of Eastern markets, which now seems to be a fairly short-sighted plan. They would have ruled absolutely at that location, and they should even consider coming back into the Mosaic Project...they would rock!
Re: VDOT Set to Launch $110 Million Gallows & Rt. 29 Intersection Dig
Posted by:
Gordon Blvd
()
Date: August 02, 2011 05:55AM
oh WOW! You dont know the reason why JITB pulled out of here?
There werent that many - the only one I remember was near Alex NOVA on the county line at Rt 7 (where the Wendy's is now) - I never knew the Taco Bell used to be one (thanks for that info)
But anywho, yeah - E.Coli. Biggest outbreak at the time when it happened. Hundreds injured and 4 children dead from it. It happened in Seattle but ppl out here FREAKED and JOTB stocks tanked bigtime. I dont think there are any on the east coast anymore, even though they are still popular as all getout in the West. And their commercials are funny as hell too.
Theyve got a huge 99 cent menu and the majority of them have 24 hr drivethrus
There werent that many - the only one I remember was near Alex NOVA on the county line at Rt 7 (where the Wendy's is now) - I never knew the Taco Bell used to be one (thanks for that info)
But anywho, yeah - E.Coli. Biggest outbreak at the time when it happened. Hundreds injured and 4 children dead from it. It happened in Seattle but ppl out here FREAKED and JOTB stocks tanked bigtime. I dont think there are any on the east coast anymore, even though they are still popular as all getout in the West. And their commercials are funny as hell too.
Theyve got a huge 99 cent menu and the majority of them have 24 hr drivethrus