Here’s Everything We Know About Virginia’s New 66-Parallel Walking Trail

Abstract

• The brand new 66-Parallel Strolling Path in Virginia is now open, offering hikers and cyclists with a scenic route.
• Quite a few future pedestrian and biking enchancment initiatives are deliberate to boost accessibility and connectivity.
• The 66-Parallel Path is a part of the Rework 66 Exterior the Beltway mission, which goals to increase the I-66 Categorical Lanes and supply extra pedestrian and biking facilities.

Virginia is undoubtedly an underappreciated climbing vacation spot, with every little thing from hiking with alpacas to taking in breathtaking views. The state is wealthy in each historical past and pure magnificence and is bordered by one of many oldest mountain ranges on the planet; the Blue Ridge Mountains are iconic and offer amazing sights, whether or not you hike, drive, or stroll.

From easy, family-friendly strolls to strenuous rock scrambles, Virginia guests will make sure to discover a hike to go well with their talent degree. The best VA hikes also offer both mountain and beach views, and now, vacationers can stroll I-66 on the I-66 Parallel Path to expertise every little thing scenic the state has to supply.

UPDATE: 2023/1/09 10:05 EST BY AARON SPRAY

Future Virginia I-66 Parallel Path Tasks

Virginia’s new 66-Parallel Path could now be open, however extra pedestrian and biking enhancements are deliberate. Cities throughout America and around the globe are inserting an increasing number of emphasis on enhancing more healthy modes of transportation across the cities (together with strolling and biking). This text was up to date and expanded with details about deliberate initiatives that can additional enhance pedestrian and bicycle entry within the space.

The New 66-Parallel Strolling Path In Virginia Opened In Could 2023

The New 66-Parallel Strolling Path is lastly open and guests can hike alongside it

State and Fairfax County officers cut a ribbon to commemorate their achievement, a parallel strolling and biking path to I-66, in Could 2023. The ceremony was adopted by the primary bicycle trip and pedestrian stroll on the finished portion, which runs from Cedar Lane in Merrifield to the east of the Vienna Metro station.

Additional sections are anticipated to be accomplished, together with a bit from Blake Lane to Route 123 in Oakton and a crossing at an I-66 entry ramp on the Nutley Road intersection. The 66-Parallel Path has expanded bike and pedestrian entry, providing multimodal transport alternate options.

The 66-Parallel Path, whose identify was decided by a Fairfax County survey, was developed as a part of the Rework 66 Exterior the Beltway mission, which prolonged the I-66 Categorical Lanes by 22 miles (35.4 km) and was carried out by VDOT’s associate I-66 Categorical Mobility and development firm FAM Development.

The mission will carry 18 miles (28.9 km) of extra pedestrian and biking facilities, together with the addition of walkways on bridge crossings over I-66.

Following a marketing campaign by neighborhood pedestrian and bicycle fans, notably the nonprofit Fairfax Alliance for Higher Bicycling, the path was ultimately included within the freeway enlargement mission. The brand new 66-Parallel Path will dramatically improve the east-west connection for people strolling and bicycling within the hall that’s at the moment absent.

The route is useful for each locals and vacationers; it offers entry to the Metro, eating places, parks, faculties, outlets, and different places alongside the hall by strolling, bicycling, and rolling.

Most path crossings will probably be over- or underpasses slightly than at avenue degree.

By this summer time, additional path segments are anticipated to be constructed, together with momentary walkways alongside Virginia Heart Boulevard. Everlasting amenities for bicyclists and pedestrians are being constructed independently of the principle 66-Parallel Path.

When future initiatives are accomplished, bikers could make the most of the brand new I-66 path to create just a little smaller path, or they’ll have the choice to decide on an extended trek.

Different Path Tasks Close by The Virginia I-66 Parallel Path

Extra initiatives are ongoing or deliberate as a part of the Rework 66 Undertaking

The 66 Parallel Path will not be alone as a brand new pedestrian and biking path within the space. There are different path initiatives beneath growth for the enjoyment of Virginians and folks within the better D.C. space.

• Future Enhancements: Deliberate Till At Least 2027

Different initiatives deliberate as a part of the Rework 66 Undertaking embrace the Vienna Metrorail Station Bicycle and Pedestrian Enhancements. This can be a collection of initiatives supposed to enhance entry for cyclists and pedestrians within the space across the Vienna Metrorail Station.

This mission will see quite a few enhancements alongside the Nation Creek Street/Virginia Heart Boulevard between and alongside Sutton Street.

Development on this new mission is predicted to start in 2025, though interim enhancements opened in 2023 (this was executed to coincide with the opening of the Rework 66 Undertaking).

Current sections of sidewalks alongside the Random Hills Street and the Submit Forest Drive will probably be upgraded to 10-foot-wide paths. This mission is predicted to start in 2027.

Different pedestrian initiatives within the space have already been accomplished as a part of the better Rework 66 Undertaking (such because the re-aligning of the Washington & Previous Dominion Path close to Idylwood Park).

Study extra about these initiatives and the Transform 66 Project on the mission’s web site, then plan a go to to VA to see its most scenic towns, hike and bike, take a scenic train trip, and extra.