Posts by Canaan Merchant — Elections Committee
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Fairfax could get new bike lanes and road diets this summer. Not everyone is happy.
Fairfax County plans to add bike lanes or sharrows (shared lane markings) to 44 streets this summer. The “road diet” and improved bicycle infrastructure could help reduce collisions and improve safety, but not everyone is on board. Keep reading…
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DC needs to pick up the pace if it wants more people on bikes and buses
DC wants more people on buses and bicycles, but it needs to pick up the pace on its projects to get there. The city must streamline current processes and remove obstacles to creating a comprehensive transit and bike lane network. Keep reading…
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Let Fairfax County officials know: Reston isn’t finished yet
Historically, Reston was notable for embracing mixed-use, walkable development at a time when the conventional wisdom said it was better to drive everywhere. So why don't residents want it to fulfill its original inclusive vision? Keep reading…
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Big transportation changes could be coming to Richmond Highway
Plans would put sidewalks along the whole route and install dedicated bicycle paths. Combined with efforts to create walkable street grids in place of current sprawling shopping centers, this would make Richmond Highway far more accessible to pedestrians than it is today. Keep reading…
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I-66 tolls may see changes after Virginia’s next legislative session
Since tolling on I-66 began in December, there's been a lot of outrage over high prices and changes are already being debated in Richmond. The state department of transportation points out there is not enough data to make any big changes yet, and trip times have in fact decreased — which was the project's main goal. Keep reading…
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The new Nice Bridge may not be nice for pedestrians and cyclists
Maryland has been working to replace the Harry W. Nice Bridge for a long time, and now we are seeing some of the latest proposals. If a bike and pedestrian path is not included in the final design, cyclists would have to use the vehicle lane while pedestrians would be stuck on shore. Keep reading…
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Alexandria has too much parking, and it’s having a detrimental effect on the city
Alexandria has far more parking than is actually being used, a recent task force study found. Now the city is considering what they should do with all of that wasted space. Keep reading…
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Reston enters the Upside Down when it comes to zoning
Many Reston residents are upset about zoning changes, but County officials say they are simply enacting necessary changes to comply with the city’s already agreed-upon master plan. Keep reading…
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Will apartments on top of grocery stores overwhelm Reston?
Keeping zoning limits low won't stop the job and family growth that brings people Reston. Letting people live where they can walk, bike, or take transit to their jobs or errands–rather than force them to drive for every trip–is a far better method to accommodate that growth. Keep reading…
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A trail next to I-66 isn’t the end of the world, but we could do much better
Cyclists are frustrated that the design for a 16.5-mile trail in Fairfax was changed without their input. The new design has the trail run along I-66 for about five miles, but the Virginia Department of Transportation hasn't said why they made the change. Keep reading…