Fairfax County Trails
Bruce Wright
Chairman, Fairfax County Non-Motorized Transportation Committee (NMTC)
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nmtc
Outline
- Non-Motorized Transportation Committee
- Trails Plan
- Other Trail and Sidewalk Requirements
- Funding
- Safety
Non-Motorized Trans. Comm.
- Comprised of citizens and government staff
- Supervisors appoint representatives
- Interest groups appoint representatives
- Clifton Horse Society, Fx Co Fed of Citizens Assocs, Fx Co Park Auth, N VA Builders Assoc, N VA Regional Park Auth, Washington Area Bicyclists Assoc
- Meet monthly, second Wednesday, Government Center
- Web site: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/nmtc
Committee was originally concerned solely with trails. Over time the focus has extended to include pedestrian safety, on-road bike lanes. The Trail Plan was updated in 2002. The committee proposed changes to the plan. Public hearings were held before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Major Activities
- Development and revision of the Countywide Trails Plan
- Development of an annual non-park trail construction program
- Review of requests for trail construction waivers
- Work to improve conditions for all non-motorized transportation users
Trails in Fairfax County
- Surface: Paved (asphalt, concrete, pavers), stone dust, natural surface, social
- Different users, runoff characteristics, maintenance properties
- 1400 miles of trails and sidewalks
- Mapped by Fairfax County Dept. of Planning and Zoning using GIS
- Map of Existing Trails
- Existing Trails: North and South, each with East and West sides
Committee conducted major mapping effort using Tax Maps and walking surveys. Some used GPS and GIS. Existing Trails Maps are for sale for $3.50. Currently being updated. W&OD trail contains both types of surfaces.
Existing trails:
- 8-foot asphalt: 316 miles
- 4-foot concrete: 1032 miles
- Stone Dust: 46 miles
Over past 5 years, DPWES with VDOT have averaged .7 miles of new trails/sw and 2.1 mi. of replacements. At $125/LF, built trail cost is around $470,000 per year.
Trails Plan
- Trail Designations:
- Major Regional - Cross County, W&OD, Fairfax County Parkway, Potomac Heritage, Mt. Vernon, Rt. 1 Bikeway
- Onroad Bike Route - New in 2002 Plan
- Major Paved - 8 to 10 feet
- Minor Paved - 4 to 7 feet 11 inches
- Natural Surface
- Stone Dust
- Stream Valley - Various surfaces
If the plan were built out, there would be 554 miles of 8-foot asphalt trails.
Trail and Sidewalk Requirements
- Trails Plan
- Designates trail surface, width, and location
- Part of County Comprehensive Plan
- Zoning Ordinance
- Subdivision requirements in Public Facilities Manual
- Includes sidewalk requirements for developments within specified radius of school
Zoning Ordinance for commercial development, 17-201, Improvements to be provided.
Trails Plan
- Changes require Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor Public Hearings
- Plan guides trail construction for new developments
- Waiver/Modification process
- NMTC recommendation
- Approval, denial, modification, escrow
Subdivision requirements in PFM
- Lots averaging 13,000 sq ft or less
- A sidewalk shall be constructed on both sides of all streets, except in some cul-de-sacs
- Lots averaging 13,000 sq ft or greater
- Sidewalks shall be constructed on one side of a street except in some cul-de-sacs
- Review of requirements underway based on In-Fill Study recommendations
43,560 square feet in an acre. 13,000 sq ft = .3 acre. In-Fill study: Recommends construction on both sides of the street.
School Requirements
- A sidewalk shall be constructed on all streets of the subdivision boundary where a subdivision is within
- 1 mile (1.6 km) of an elementary school
- 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of an intermediate or high school.
- Separate school waiver process
See the Fairfax County Public School Transportation FAQ for more info on school transportation: http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/fts/tran/faq/
Funding Mechanisms
- General funds allocated to Districts by Board of Supervisors
- 1998-2001 between $1-2.6M/year
- Divided between 9 Districts and 1 At-Large allocation
- 2002 & 2003 no funds. 2004, $500K carryover
- 2004 Transportation Bond
- Trail and sidewalk projects
- Pedestrian improvements near bus stops
$1.85M average from 98-01, at $100 to $150/LF, is 2.8 miles of trail per year.
Funding Mechanisms
- Park Authority
- Bonds in 1998 and 2004
- Board funds for CCT
- Federal funds for CCT
- State Recreational Trails Funds for CCT
Funding (Continued)
- Federal
- SAFETEA (TEA-21, ISTEA)
- Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality and Surface Transportation Program
- State administers most Federal funds
- State
- Private
- Rails to Trails database: http://www.enhancements.org/trailfunding.htm
- Proffers and waiver escrow
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
- MWCOG Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Campaign
- Pedestrian Task Force
- Traffic Safety Division of Fairfax County Police
- Map of crash locations
- Ped/Bike crash statistics
- Priority safety improvement locations
- Bus stop inventory and pedestrian improvements
Conclusions
- We've figured out how to connect our roads, we should be able to do the same for our trails and sidewalks
- NMTC and Pedestrian task force will make recommendations for a 10 year funding plan and identify critical needs for trails and sidewalks
- Board of Supervisors is sympathetic but have severe fiscal constraints
- Support from the community is needed at public hearings
Eminent domain is a tool used for ensuring that our roads connect. It has not been used in the past to connect trails, which is one reason for the gaps. A reluctant homeowner can stop any project.