December 17, 2024

Lee Chapel Road Community Meeting Update

Last week, we held the second community meeting regarding a project to improve the hilled section of Lee Chapel Road between 123 and the Fairfax County Parkway. Fairfax Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff presented and discussed the pros and cons of the two construction options; the first would close the road to through-traffic during construction and the second would allow the road to remain partially open with a temporary one-lane road with temporary traffic signals on either end. Closing the road during construction would allow construction to be completed in the least amount of time and cost, saving approximately two months of construction time and about $800,000 with the least impact to South Run Park. However, it could significantly impact residents who live nearby and use the road in their daily travels. Keeping a one lane road open during construction would still have an impact but shorter delays.

FCDOT has opened a survey regarding whether to keep a one lane road open or allow for it to be closed during construction. It can be accessed here and is open through January 10, 2025.For those who could not attend the meeting, both the presentation and the meeting video (as well as a link to the survey) are available at the project page here.

Bauer Drive/Rolling Road Update

Last week, VDOT held a meeting to share information on its proposal to restrict left turns from Bauer Drive to northbound Rolling Road. While a traffic signal is warranted at the intersection, it could be many years before it is funded. VDOT is proposing the changes to improve safety; between 2019 and 2023 there were 29 crashes at this intersection and 21 involved someone making this turn. At the meeting, many residents in the Bauer Drive area expressed concern with limiting this movement, especially on a 24-hour basis. As a result of your input we are evaluating other alternatives including prohibiting the U Turns on Rolling at Bauer that are one of the sources of the accidents.

VDOT’s presentation is available for viewing here. The comment period is open through December 31^st and you can share your feedback with VDOT via email (to MeetingComments@vdot.virginia.gov with “Bauer Drive” In the subject line) or US mail to Ms. Houda Ali, P.E. VDOT Northern Virginia District 4975 Alliance Drive Fairfax, VA 22030

Please share your thoughts with me as well by emailing springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov or calling my office at 703-451-8873.

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) – Another Driver of Increased Cost

Despite my objections, the County is moving forward with a project labor agreement (PLA) for the Accotink Wastewater Pump Station project. Project Labor Agreement (PLA) – means a pre-hire, (or pre bid), collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project.

The Board approved moving forward with PLA’s without the recommendation of the County Executive and despite County staff’s warnings that requiring a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) could increase the cost of the project by approximately 20 percent, reduce competition, hurt local businesses, and drive up the cost of projects for taxpayers. Please see this Fairfax Times op-ed on the impact of the first County PLA and this staff presentation on project labor agreements from 2021.

Fairfax County’s authority to require PLAs for public works projects was established by the 2020 General Assembly through House Bill 358 and Senate Bill 182 (Code § 2.2-4321.2). In 2021, County staff briefed the Board on the impact of requiring PLAs and estimated the additional cost per project with a PLA could be up to 20 percent. In addition, according to staff, PLAs particularly hurt small, minority-owned contractors who don’t have the bandwidth to comply with the requirements of a PLA. PLAs generally require contractors to recognize a labor organization (union) as the exclusive bargaining representative of all employees who work on the project, they operate under union work rules, and follow union procedures for hiring, firing, and disciplining employees. Many of the workers never stay long enough to receive any benefit from the significant dues they are required to pay to work on the project.

This is yet another reason you will be seeing the County’s budget increase without any taxpayer or worker benefit.

MVSCC Holiday Happy Hour

Joined the Mount Vernon-Springfield Chamber for its annual holiday happy hour and to recognize the great work it does in our community.

American Red Cross Blood Donor Center Opening

Joined Governor Youngkin and other local leaders for the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the new American Red Cross Blood Donor Center in Dale City.

Police Department’s Santa’s Ride

I was grateful for the opportunity to see Santa off before he delivered toys to children at local hospitals. Big thanks to the Fairfax County Police Department for another successful "Santa's Ride," where they collect donations of unopened toys every year from all district police stations for sick children who are currently in area hospitals.

Crime Solvers Pinnacle Awards Luncheon

Joined the Fairfax County Crime Solvers at its annual Pinnacle Awards Luncheon to honor some of the exceptional men and women of our Police Department who keep Fairfax County safe. Congratulations to the award winners! 

Other News and Information

• Holiday Express in Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park
• Traffic Alert - 495 NEXT Big Beam Weekend
• Fair Ridge Homeless Shelter Virtual Public Meeting (Dec 19)
• EC-Foundation Scholarship Applications (Dec 30)
• The Lifetime Learning Institute’s Monthly Virtual Forum (Jan 8)

Holiday Express in Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

Join family, friends and neighbors at the park this holiday season. With more than 50 holiday-oriented activities and events to choose from, the Fairfax County Park Authority has something for everyone – from wagon and train rides to candlelit tours and, of course, Santa himself!

Winter Wonderland returns to Burke Lake Park on Saturdays and Sundays through December 22^nd, running from 11am to 5pm. Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with train rides on the Holiday Express, carousel spins and s’mores by the fire. Enjoy some hot chocolate and candy canes! Early-bird tickets are $15 and $20 at the door.

Other ongoing holiday events can be found here.

Traffic Alert for the 495 NEXT Big Beam Weekend in January

As part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, crews will install five steel bridge girders spanning 295 feet in length over northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Inner Loop) at the Dulles Corridor Interchange for a new 495 Express Lanes ramp. This work is scheduled to occur over the weekend of January 24-27, 2025, and will require major traffic impacts on northbound I-495 near Tysons and at the Dulles Corridor Interchange.

During the weekend-long operation, traffic on northbound I-495 will be reduced from six lanes (four general purpose and two express) to two lanes and shifted to the 495 Express Lanes for about a one-mile stretch near Tysons. Traffic shifts and lane reductions will be in place for approximately three miles beginning at the Route 7 interchange until just past Lewinsville Road.

Additionally, the ramp from eastbound Dulles Toll Road/Dulles Airport Access Highway to northbound I-495 and westbound Dulles Toll Road under I-495 will be closed and detoured. Work and traffic impacts will begin at 9 p.m., Friday, January 24, with all lanes and ramps reopened by 5 a.m., Monday, January 27. Work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled if necessary.

How Drivers Can Prepare:

Travelers are urged to stay away from northbound I-495 near Tysons the entire weekend of January 24-27. If travel is necessary, please choose an alternate route or plan additional time and expect delays. As always, drivers are urged to slow down, use caution and follow signed directions and detours. Enhanced police presence will be in place throughout the construction area.

To plan ahead and stay informed, travelers should:

• Sign up for alerts at 495next.vdot.virginia.gov
• Check VA 511 online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, on the mobile app, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia
• Follow VDOT on social media at:
• X (formerly Twitter): @VaDOTNOVA and @VaDOT
• Facebook: VDOT NOVA District
• Nextdoor: Virginia Department of Transportation

Fair Ridge Homeless Shelter Virtual Community Meeting this Thursday, December 19th

On December 19^th from 7-8pm, there will be a virtual community meeting on the Fair Ridge Supportive Family Shelter to finally get public feedback on the project.  

The Board voted 9 to 1 to purchase a former hotel property as a potential shelter for 20 percent ($2.5M) over its appraised value and 300 percent ($9.5M) over its assessed value. To make matters worse, the County intends to reduce the capacity of the existing 94 hotel extended stay suites to approximately 40. Learn more about this project in this edition of the Herrity Report.

EC-Foundation Scholarship Applications Due December 30th

The Educational Charitable Foundation is offering Collegiate Scholarships for high school seniors in a variety of subjects, including STEM. See the flyer for more details or go to their website.

The Lifetime Learning Institute’s Monthly Virtual Forum on January 8th

The Lifetime Learning Institute (LLI) of Northern Virginia, https://llinova.org/, a learning group for adults over 50, will hold a virtual Forum on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. The speaker will be David Tucker, Director of Development for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF); he will speak about efforts to protect the Bay and save its wildlife. The program is free and open to the public by registering on the LLI website www.llinova.org, clicking on Events and Calendar, and scrolling down to January 8, https://llinova.org/courses/event-calendar/#!event/2025/1/8/january-8-zoom. Those registered will receive a link to Zoom. 

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, founded in 1966, is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Bay. Its motto, "Save the Bay,” draws people and communities together to reduce pollution throughout the Chesapeake's six-state watershed. Since 1998, CBF has tracked the health of the Bay through its annual State of the Bay report.

This program is part of the LLI’s monthly Forum Series held the first Wednesday of each month. LLI also provides more than 130 classes, programs and excursions a year to its members. More information on membership in LLI is available on LLI's website www.llinova.org. Any questions, please e-mail LLI at admin@llinova.org.