Trail event Wednesday, April 27

The Reston Bicycle Club has gifted Fairfax County with a new automatic bicycle and pedestrian traffic counter for the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in REston

Officials from Fairfax County and the Reston Bicycle Club will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 27. The event will be held near the intersection of the W&OD and Old Reston Avenue at 10 a.m.

The counter, valued at $7,000, was purchased to help collect information about pedestrian and bicyclist traffic, Fairfax County officials said.

“The counter provides an opportunity to better document the usage of these modes of transportation, and will support the county’s planning and investment in future bicycle and pedestrian improvements,” said Adam Lind, Fairfax County Bicycle Program Manager.

“We really appreciate this generous donation and look forward to monitoring the growth in bicycle and pedestrian trips for years to come.”

The county is in the process of planning pedestrian and bike improvements for Reston as it morphs into a transit-oriented community. One of those improvements is to take the W&OD over the congested intersection at Wiehle Avenue via a bridge. The plan has been approved but will not open for about five years.

Reston will also welcome Fairfax County’s first bikeshare system later this year.

Tree Cutting along trail

From Paul Gilbert, Executive Director NVRPA

"Dominion Power is doing some cutting of vegetation along the W&OD in the area between Vienna and Reston. Some tail users have complained and some reporters have been asking some questions about this.

 

"This happens every few years. Dominion has the right to cut trees that are growing near their transmission lines. In 2005 we entered into a Vegetative Management Plan with Dominion related to the W&OD. The agreement is voluntary, but Dominion has honored it. Some of the main provisions is that we cannot plant trees that are expected to grow more than 15 feet tall directly under the lines, and they will consult with us before cutting. We are sharing the management plan with the report[er] who has asked some questions. I wanted to let you all know, since this is something you may hear about?"