Two projects to improve transportation around DCA greenlit

ARLINGTON, Va. — Soon, you may be able to walk from Crystal City to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

That’s because of two projects just greenlit by the National Park Service (NPS). One of these projects will create more accessible and safer pathways for pedestrians and cyclists between DCA and Crystal City. The other will improve the roadways at DCA, to reduce traffic and make a safer and better visitor experience, NPS said.

NPS said the goal of the Crystal City project is to make it easier for people traveling to the airport without cars. Plus, it supports plans locally and regionally to encourage greener transportation options.

Arlington County, the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia Department of Transportation also consulted on the project because it will use some land on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

A new structure and ramp will be created, connecting the airport to the Mount Vernon Trail. It uses approximately 0.03 acres of land and 0.21 acres of air rights from the parkway.

The use of approximately 0.03 acres of land and 0.21 acres of air rights from the Parkway to accommodate piers for the new structure and for a new ramp connecting to the Mount Vernon Trail via a Highway Easement Deed to Arlington County through FHWA.

DCA’s roadways face a lot of traffic congestion and delays consistently, NPS said, so this improvement project aims to address that. 

The project's goal is to give the area better traffic flow, clearer signage and expanded parking facilities. It also will address what NPS said is an “operationally inefficient” rental car center, and also have room for public and employee parking.