The North Sycamore Street Complete Streets Project is an initiative by Arlington County to improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure on North Sycamore Street, specifically between Langston Boulevard and 19th Street North in the East Falls Church neighborhood. This project aims to address existing challenges for bicyclists and pedestrians at intersections along Sycamore Street, making it safer and more accessible for all users.
Project Overview
The need for improvements along North Sycamore Street was initially identified in the 2011 East Falls Church Area Plan. Further reinforcing this need, the 2019 Bicycle Element of the Master Transportation Plan recommended North Sycamore Street for enhanced bicycle facilities. Adding to the momentum, in the same year, the County secured a TLC grant to investigate a crucial gap in the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) trail connection within East Falls Church. These planning efforts and studies underscore the importance of this project in creating a more connected and user-friendly transportation network in the area. The Sycamore Street project is designed to consider both short-term, feasible improvements, particularly at the 19th Street North crossing, and long-term comprehensive solutions. Funding for this vital project was secured in the FY22 adopted CIP, demonstrating Arlington County’s commitment to enhancing bicycle and pedestrian access in East Falls Church. For a broader understanding of related initiatives, refer to the East Falls Church Planning at a Glance resource. This Sycamore Street project is carefully coordinated with various stakeholders to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to transportation improvements.
Project Status and Timeline
Currently, the Sycamore Street Complete Streets Project is in the design phase. Arlington County has finalized a concept design, which is the result of thorough planning guidance, data analysis of the corridor, coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and valuable community feedback. This final concept design is now progressing through preliminary engineering and undergoing review with key partner organizations, including VDOT, WMATA, and adjacent property owners. Procurement for the project is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026. Detailed information about the final concept design is available in the “Public Process” section below.
Public Engagement and Feedback
Arlington County has prioritized community involvement throughout the Sycamore Street project lifecycle. The public process has been structured in phases to ensure residents have multiple opportunities to contribute to the project’s design and direction.
Winter 2022 – Existing Conditions Engagement (Involve): Community members were actively encouraged to share their experiences and insights about the existing conditions on Sycamore Street. An online interactive map served as a platform for residents to provide feedback. This valuable input, combined with collected data and planning guidelines, played a crucial role in shaping the initial concept design for the Sycamore Street project.
Fall 2022 – Concept Design Engagement (Involve): The community was invited to a second engagement phase to review and provide feedback on the concept design. This phase allowed residents to understand how their initial feedback had informed the design process. Meeting materials and a summary of the feedback collected were made available to the public. The input received during this phase was instrumental in refining the concept design and moving towards a final plan for Sycamore Street.
Fall 2023 – Public Notice on Proposed Limited Access Control Changes (Consult): A public notice was issued regarding proposed limited access control changes related to the Sycamore Street project. Specifically, the proposed changes address the realignment of the trail spur at the southeast corner of the intersection of N. Sycamore Street and 19th Street. The Arlington County Department of Environmental Services accepted public comments on these proposed changes from October 6 to October 22, 2023. Resources related to this notice were made publicly accessible for review.
Winter 2024 – Final Concept Design (Communicate): Building upon the feedback gathered from the two community engagement phases, Arlington County staff finalized the concept design for the Sycamore Street Complete Streets Project. A final concept summary document was published, outlining the changes made from the initial concept design based on community input. Additionally, the final concept plan document provides a comprehensive plan view of the entire Sycamore Street corridor improvements.
Project Funding
The Sycamore Street Complete Streets Project is financially supported through a combination of Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) revenue sharing and local funds, demonstrating a joint commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure in Arlington County.
Visualizing Sycamore Street
The following images provide visual context for the Sycamore Street corridor and the areas being addressed by the project:
The Sycamore Street Complete Streets Project represents a significant step towards creating a safer, more accessible, and pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment in East Falls Church. By addressing key infrastructure challenges and incorporating community feedback, this project is set to enhance the quality of life and transportation options for residents and visitors alike along Sycamore Street.
