Central Nova News

The City of Alexandria's Department of Transportation & Environmental Services has announced the start of a pilot walk-only zone for the 200 block of King Street, set to begin on November 22, 2024. This initiative was requested by the Mayor and City Council during their September 2024 Legislative Meeting. The aim is to create a pedestrian-friendly area in this part of the city.

The pilot project will help assess the feasibility of turning this block into a permanent pedestrian zone while collecting feedback from the community. Similar pilots were conducted on other sections of King Street and have become permanent zones.

The walk zone project will occur in two phases:

Phase 1: From November 22, 2024, through January 6, 2025, vehicular traffic will be temporarily banned from the 200 block. Residents and visitors can enjoy a walking area with a festive holiday atmosphere. The street will reopen in January and February for adjustments if necessary.

Phase 2: Running from March 14 to September 30, 2025, this phase allows for further community engagement and data collection. Depending on the results, City Council may consider making it permanent in fall 2025.

Residents are encouraged to provide feedback about Phase 1 through an online form to share their experiences and influence future plans for King Street.

For updates and more information on designs and progress, residents can visit the project's website. This initiative aims to enhance Old Town Alexandria as a pedestrian-friendly destination.