WASHINGTON 鈥� Public hearings are set for the coming weeks in Arlington County where lawmakers are considering changes to the local transportation regulations to allow for pedestrian-only streets.
During a county board meeting Tuesday, members confirmed they would be holding the hearings and advertising them to the community.
Hearings will be in front of the county’s planning commission Oct. 5 and in front of the board on Oct. 15.
“It’s well worth considering,” said board member John Vihstadt. “We pride ourselves on being bicycle-friendly and pedestrian-friendly. I do think that there is a place in certain locations in the county that could benefit from a pedestrian-only street.”
Lawmakers are considering amending their Master Transportation Plan, which currently does not include any language about such streets.
Specifically, the amendment would impact a reconstruction plan around the Rosslyn Metro station to “break up north-south blocks and enhance access” to the station.
The plan calls for a segment from N. Lynn to N. Oak Street to “accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists only, without motor vehicle access.鈥�
In addition to impacting the Rosslyn project, the transportation amendment would provide guidance on how to potentially utilize pedestrian-only streets in other areas of Arlington.
