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A game plan for the future
How will people travel through Springfield in 2030?
The new Springfield Connectivity Study evaluates that question, and splits major transportation corridors into four sections, so when the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decides on land use cases in Springfield, the study can serve as a guide. The Springfield interchange and other major roads split the four quadrants.
The board hired a consultant in May 2006 to study the traffic that will come when thousands of defense workers are relocated to the area, along with the redevelopment of Springfield Mall and a blossoming central Springfield business community, and to recommend solutions.
Right now, however, there is no money in the budget to make any of the plans in the study a reality, said Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay (D).
“We're a long way from implementing this. There's no funding in the county, nor does [the Virginia Department of Transportation] have any funding. The only way is for substantial redevelopment to come along,” McKay said.
One development evaluated is the planned removal of the pedestrian bridge at Interstate 95 so improvements will be made at the Franconia-Springfield Parkway ramp.
Replacement of the bridge “should be considered to maintain pedestrian/bicycle connectivity across I-95 on south of Franconia-Springfield parkway,” the study said.
Scott Gunderson, president of the Central Springfield Area Revitalization Council, said the study is a good starting point to get traffic to flow, but cautioned that, without funding, the county runs the risk of scaring away developers.
“Developers have to make return on investment, they're not coming just to be in Springfield,” Gunderson said.
“ Springfield is attractive. There is a lot that is ripe for development, but to force developers into proffers to construct the big transportation pieces themselves is going to drive them away. It's happened before,” Gunderson added, alluding to the multimillion-dollar mixed-use Midtown Springfield project that was eventually abandoned when the housing market soured and construction costs rose.
The study takes into account that, by 2030, Springfield will likely have a redevelopment project like Midtown in place in central Springfield.
The study includes “pedestrian priority corridors” throughout Springfield, outlining walking areas that should be safe and convenient for foot traffic. It states that Springfield should strive to be a “more pedestrian-oriented environment,” with gateways announcing communities and primary entrance points for drivers.
“This [study] is a more holistic approach to a review of the area. This is something that hasn't been done by the county before,” said Lee District Planning Commissioner Rodney Lusk.
To see the study, go to: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/springfield/.
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