Pimmit Hills residents might soon enjoy faster bike and pedestrian access to the West Falls Church metro station, if a new WAMATA proposal to build a path on Idylwood Road gets legs. The project -- which would include constructing a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the creek on Redd Road -- could cut the walking distance for residents by up to one mile and eliminate the need to walk along Route 7.
At Fairfax County’s request for improved pedestrian access to Metorail, WMATA has conducted a feasibility study for “a pedestrian/bike trail connecting the Pimmit Hills neighborhood to the north entrance of the West Falls Church Station. The entrance to the trail would be located on the Idlywood Road and will follow the path of the security fence between the SI Yard and I-66 right-of-way.”
Come vote!
The red line on the map above shows the approximate location of the proposed north side pedestrian access to West Falls station. Currently, direct Pimmit Hills pedestrian access to the metro and to Idylwood is cut by a creek that crosses Redd Rd (shown by the blue arrow on the map below). As part of the proposal, officials have suggested adding a pedestrian/cyclist only bridge to join Pimmit Hills to Idylwood and the new path to the metro.
At the Citizen’s Association meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 7:30, the PHCA will open the floor for discussion of the Fairfax/WMATA proposal and vote for our a position on the project. Fairfax County officials have been very responsive to the local community and this will be a good opportunity for Pimmit Hills residents to have direct input and influence in the planning process.
Contact: Mark Kinnane,
PHCA Treasurer,
Pimmit Hills representative to the McLean Citizens Association
