December 18, 2020
Dear Providence Residents, 

A new Fairfax County vaccine website has been launched to make sure our residents get the most current information on vaccines and when they will become available to the majority of the public. The focus for vaccination will initially be health care professionals and long term care facility residents. There is more hope than ever that an end is in sight to this pandemic, but until then we must work hard and follow the safety measures; wear masks, follow social distancing, wash hands, and stay home when possible.

We are also starting a Providence District Coat Drive so please drop gently used coats to the Providence Community Center or James Lee Community Center by January 31st!

You can find the following Providence District updates in this week's edition of the newsletter:
  • New Fairfax County Vaccine Website
  • Providence District Coat Drive
  • Apply for the Redistricting Commission
  • Winter Holiday COVID-19 Guidelines
  • Transportation Updates
  • Featured Events

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and well.

With Gratitude, 
Supervisor Dalia Palchik 
New Fairfax Vaccine Website
Visit the Fairfax County Vaccine website for updated information on COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination information.

ABOUT THE COVID-19 VACCINE

On December 11, the FDA issued the first emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 16 years of age and older. The emergency use authorization allows the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to be distributed in the U.S. Get the facts on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Partners involved in COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution include:
Providence District Coat Drive
Apply for the Redistricting Commission
Would you like to apply for the Redistricting Commission?

This is an opportunity to get involved in the democratic process and meet for the purpose of establishing districts for the United States House of Representatives and for the Senate and the House of Delegates of the General Assembly.

If this sounds of interest, we encourage you to apply here and see if you qualify.
Transportation Updates
Metro has opened a free, secure and covered bike and ride facility at the Vienna station with 24/7 video monitoring, emergency call boxes, LED lighting, air pumps and a ‘fix-it’ station. More information on registering and accessing the facility may be found here.
Supervisor Palchik will host a virtual community meeting on January 12, 2021 to discuss improvements at the Blake Lane and Hibbard Street intersection with staff members from the Fairfax County and Virginia departments of transportation, the police department, and more. At the end of the meeting, residents will be given opportunities to comment. Information on accessing the meeting will be announced in early January.

Due to customer request, the Dulles Toll Road will begin all electronic tolling Jan. 1, 2021. Visit E-ZPass Virginia for more information on obtaining a pass or call 1-888-860-9361. The minimum to open an account has been temporarily reduced to $20. Loose change will no longer be accepted.

Fairfax Connector reminds riders to arrive at bus stops five minutes before scheduled pickup times. To minimize wait times, check estimated arrival times on your smart phone, tablet or a desktop through Fairfax Connector BusTracker. You may also sign-up for email and/or text alerts for estimated arrival times for a specific stopCall Fairfax Connector customer service at 703-339-7200, TTY 703-339-1608; Mon - Fri 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sat - Sun 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Se habla EspañolWeather may cause changes to routes and timesFollow Fairfax Connector on Twitter and Facebook.

Fairfax Connector will join Metrobus and resume boarding passengers at the front door, requiring riders to pay fares beginning January 4 (Fairfax Connector) and January 3 (Metrobus), 2021. Masks will still be mandatory.

For Metrobus passengers, the cost per trip is $2 payable in cash or with SmarTrip. Customers can save by purchasing a 7-day bus pass for $15 and ride unlimited on a Metrobus, RideOn, ART, DASH, Fairfax Connector, and The Bus for a week. For more information, go to this link.

Public comments on Northern Virginia’s transportation initiatives may be submitted through January 4, 2021 via an online comment form, or by voicemail to 703-718-6368 or by mail to Ms. Maria Sinner, VDOT, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. Materials and information presented at the Dec. 8, 2020 Northern Virginia Joint Transportation public meeting are available here.

VDOT owns and plows most streets in Fairfax County. To report hazardous road conditions, call VDOT at 1-800-367-7623 or visit online. Road conditions can be tracked here and you may track VDOT's plowing operations here

I-66 Construction Updates – Overnight lane closures on I-66 East and West approaching Gallows Road have been extended through Saturday, December 19, from 9:30 p.m. to 9 a.m. for overhead utility work on the new Gallows Road Bridge.

Gallows Road over I-66 will be reduced to a single travel lane in each direction nightly from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m. through Saturday, December 19.

The ramp from 495 North Express Lanes North to I-66 West will be closed during overnight hours through Saturday, December 19, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly. Traffic will be detoured to I-66 East: Take the exit for Route 7, stay to the left and turn left at the traffic signal, then follow signs to I-66 West

In Fairfax the ramp from Route 50 East to I-66 East will be closed nightly through Friday, December 18, between midnight and 4 a.m. for overhead bridge work. Traffic will be directed farther east. Motorists should stay to the left and use the left-most left turn lane to make a U-turn at the traffic signal at Waples Mill Road, then stay to the right and follow signs to I-66 East. All work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

Construction and lane closure updates are available at Transform66.org and on Twitter @VaDOTNOVA. To receive project updates automatically by email, sign up here.   
In a press statement from the North Pole, Santa Claus may stop by the Cedar Lane Bridge to re-open it ….sshhhhh since weather may slow him down a bit. Giddy up, Dancer! Visit official bridge updates here.
Winter Holidays and COVID-19
Staying safe is the number one priority as we enter the winter holiday season. Celebrating with your household is the safest way to enjoy the holidays. Find COVID-19 recommendations for family celebrations, shopping and entertainment here

Are you looking for a COVID-19 test or do you have other questions about COVID-19? Call the Fairfax County Health Department call center at 703-267-3511 with Coronavirus questions; open 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Dreidel Spinning Video - Hope you had a Happy Hanukkah!
Featured Events
Contact Us
We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello.
 
Office Phone: (703) 560-6946
 
Email us HERE if you would like events included in our newsletter or you would like a member of our team to join your HOA meeting.
Follow us on Social Media!