Central Nova News

The Commonwealth of Virginia, in collaboration with the City of Alexandria and Monumental Sports & Entertainment, has revealed its comprehensive transportation and traffic management plan for the Potomac Yard Entertainment District. The plan, which was developed by transportation expert Kimley Horn, aims to ensure seamless movement of people to and from the sports arena and surrounding district.

Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard “Shep” Miller III expressed his optimism about the plan, stating, "We are very encouraged by the results of this study by a nationally renowned expert in transportation. Because Alexandria had the foresight to plan for this kind of dense development, we will focus on peak traffic around games and events, and we believe this study gives us a clear path forward."

The key findings of the analysis highlight that the transportation enhancements needed will primarily address the peak trips associated with the new uses affiliated with the arena and performance venue. The plan allocates up to $215 million for improvements, which will not only alleviate congestion during peak hours but also enhance the overall transportation experience during off-peak periods.

Importantly, the necessary improvements to Route 1 and adjoining roadways are compatible with the investments being made to support Amazon HQ2, including the Route 1 urban boulevard. In terms of parking, the development will feature a 2,500-car parking garage on-site, with additional spaces available in nearby garages. The combination of these parking options, along with parking management strategies such as resident permits and enforcement, will help mitigate any potential impacts on the neighboring community.

To achieve a more sustainable transportation mode share, the plan includes a range of multimodal strategies. These strategies aim to achieve at least a 50% non-auto mode share by aligning rail and bus services with the demand of event attendees and staff. Additionally, the plan will identify potential pinch-points in Metro capacity during peak event flows and improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and access.

It is important to note that the assumptions made in the Kimley Horn analysis were conservative, assuming a fully-packed arena for every event occurring during the highest traffic loads. The estimated $135-215 million in transportation enhancements and operating costs will be funded from transportation budgets allocated by the Commonwealth over the next few years.

The City of Alexandria is committed to engaging with the community regarding the transportation plan for the Potomac Yard Entertainment District. In the coming weeks, the City will host public engagement opportunities to gather feedback and address any concerns. Residents are encouraged to visit the City's project webpage and submit comments online through the dedicated comment and question form.

For more information on the comprehensive transportation plan or to access the detailed analysis, interested individuals can visit MonumentalALX.com. The Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Alexandria, and Monumental Sports & Entertainment are determined to create a successful multimodal transportation system that not only enhances the gameday experience but also preserves the quality of life that Alexandria expects.