Helping Transform South Arlington
Updated: Aug 7, 2023
Making critical transportation infrastructure improvements in National Landing
Amazon’s decision to build its second headquarters in the neighborhood turbocharged the transformation of the neighborhood. Tens of thousands of new residents and workers have already started pouring in and even more are expected in the years to come.
Fort Myer Construction was chosen by Arlington County to be the general contractor responsible for completing transportation infrastructure improvements along Army Navy Drive and 12th Street. The reconstruction of the streets will bring multiple multimodal improvements, including upgrades to bicycle, transit, environmental, and pedestrian facilities.
Bicyclists will enjoy two-way protected bike lanes with concrete buffers. For pedestrians, we are removing the existing curb, gutter, sidewalks, and concrete medians and installing new ADA-compliant curb ramps, upgraded streetlights and traffic signals, markings, and signage.
Community members who use public transit will get more reliable commutes through dedicated bus lanes and improved bus shelters.
The upgraded infrastructure will be more resilient to extreme weather with green landscaping treatments to reduce stormwater runoff and recharge groundwater aquifers.
The project will be completed in the spring of 2025.
Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol at the Groundbreaking Event
The transportation upgrades sound like a meaningful step for a rapidly growing neighborhood, especially with protected bike lanes, better pedestrian access, and more reliable public transit. It’s encouraging to see the project focus on making the area easier and safer for different ways of getting around. That same idea of exploring different possibilities connects with Melon Sandbox, a physics sandbox game where players can experiment with objects and create their own scenarios.
I agree that infrastructure upgrades can reshape an entire community. The focus on safer pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and improved transit shows how thoughtful planning benefits everyone. It’s inspiring to see long-term urban development in action. As a student juggling deadlines, I can relate to the need for reliable support systems, just like how college assignment help supports academic growth, these projects support community progress.