Work is set to start on Friday to rehabilitate the Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) bridges over Leesburg Pike (Route 7).
The Virginia Department of Transportation announced today that drivers can expect lane closures on both routes mostly during the night for the next several days.
The schedule is:
- Sunday-Thursday: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Friday: 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Saturday: 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
State and federal State of Good Repair funding is paying for the $2.5 million project, according to VDOT. Construction is slated to finish in late 2020 and includes:
- repairing and resurfacing the concrete bridge decks
- repairing the bridge piers, abutments and bearings
- painting the steel bridge beams
- repaving Route 123 adjacent to the bridges
Once completed, VDOT says that the northbound and southbound bridges will be safer for drivers and pedestrians and lengthen the lifespan of the bridges, which were built in 1965.
“At the bridges, Route 123 averages up to 30,000 vehicles a day and Route 7 averages up to 86,000,” according to VDOT.
Photo courtesy VDOT
The proposed design for the new CubeSmart in the Town of Vienna heads to the Board of Architectural Review next week.
According to town documents, the proposed four-story facility would have roughly 130,000 gross square footage at 233 Mill Street NE — near a current facility at 300 Mill Street NE.
The BAR is set to discuss the proposed design on Tuesday (Jan. 7).
Nearby, CubeSmart is located in Tysons (1764 Old Meadow Lane), Falls Church (6875 Lee Hwy) and Merrifield (2950 Gallows Road).
Image via Town of Vienna
In a few weeks, people can cannonball into an icy poll for a fundraiser in Merrifield.
The Polar Plunge Festival returns to the Mosaic District to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia to provide year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities and health services to athletes, according to the event’s website.
It costs $100 to take the plunge. So far, the upcoming event has raised just over $7,000, with a goal of $45,000.
A contest will award the “best-dressed plunger,” according to the Mosaic District website.
The event is set to take place on Saturday (Jan. 25) from 1-4 p.m.
Photo via Plunge Virginia/Facebook
Locals will have a chance to learn about Virginia policy at an upcoming town hall with politicians next weekend.
State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34th) and Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) are hosting the event to talk about the upcoming 2020 General Assembly session.
The General Assembly convenes next Wednesday (Jan. 8).
The town hall is set to take place at Vienna Town Hall (127 Center Street S.) next Saturday (Jan. 11) from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
(Updated at 8:40 a.m.) Fairfax County police say three people were injured after a shooting this morning near the Walmart in Tysons.
Police tweeted that they were on the scene in the 8600 block of Westwood Center Drive shortly after 5 a.m. today (Wednesday).
Three young adults were injured in their lower bodies from the shooting at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, NBC4 reported.
“Three people have been taken to the hospital with injuries believed to be non-life threatening,” police tweeted. “No suspect information is currently available.”
Officers are in the 8600 block of Westwood Center Dr in Tysons Corner for a shooting investigation. Three people have been taken to the hospital with injuries believed to be non-life threatening. No suspect information is currently available. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/tpQSVYP57V
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 1, 2020
Map via Google Maps
With the new year almost here, the editorial team at Tysons Reporter took a look at the archives to gear up for 2020.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest things that we’ll be keeping an eye on and covering next year.
Spanning the Tysons Area
Fairfax County has approved regulations that limit how many (and how fast) scooters can zip around their areas. The new rules start Jan. 1.
New faces are joining the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board, including Dalia Palchik, who will oversee the Providence District on the Board of Supervisors.
The Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations will tentatively be closed between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Meanwhile, the West Falls Church station will stay open with trains running less frequently from the station. At the East Falls Church Station, trains will still pass through the station even though it will be closed to riders.
Tysons
What Happens to the Proposed Valo Park Redesign?
The owners of Valo Park want to open the office complex to the public by adding restaurants, a 9/11 memorial and a bocce court. The plans are tentatively scheduled to go before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on March 25, 2020.
State of Proposed Spring Hill Project
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is set to decide on two mixed-use developments by the Spring Hill Metro station in March. The project would bring more commercial and residential units near Tyco Road.
Construction is aiming to be done on the new Scotts Run Fire and Rescue Station 44 in Tysons East by Dec. 31, 2020. The station is designed to relieve the overburdened Fire Station 29, which currently covers the entire Tysons area.
Dozens of stores and eateries opened in the mixed-use development this year, including Whole Foods and Ethan Allen. For next year, we’ll be keeping an eye on when ShowPlace ICON opens, along with the El Bebe and Open Road eateries.
Tysons Partnership is working with Gensler to rebrand the area to encourage economic growth and is also looking to establish a “sustainable business and funding model” for the nonprofit association.
New Concept From The Owners Behind Tysons Biergarten
Tysons Biergarten is now closed by the Greensboro Metro station, but sometime in the spring, a new concept called The Shipgarten — made of shipping containers — aims to open at Scotts Run. Diners can expect a biergarten with German and Belgium beers, Asian fusion cuisine, barbecue food and a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant.
No More Dropped Calls in the Tysons Metro Tunnel
Metro plans to have cell coverage in the tunnel between the Tysons Corner Center and Greensboro Metro stations by June. The tunnel is one of the last set of areas Metro is working to complete wireless coverage for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon customers.
Merrifield
More Mosaic District Newcomers
Fairfax County permits indicate that Sephora, Drybar, a Connecticut-based eatery called The Granola Bar, Madison Reed and several new food options like Neapolitan pizza chain Pupatella and Urban Hot Pot are coming to the Mosaic District. While opening dates haven’t been announced yet, Tysons Reporter will be following up to find out when people can expect the newcomers.
A pilot program with autonomous shuttles from EasyMile is set to start transporting people from the Mosaic District to the Dunn Loring-Merrifield Metro station in the spring or summer.
City of Falls Church
Solutions for Stormwater Issues
After severe flooding in July, officials in the Little City have been working to fix the damage, while also planning how to prevent future issues. A newly formed taskforce is set to work until July on updating the list of priority projects for stormwater improvements in the Watershed Management Plan.
Whole Foods Expanding NoVa Footprint in Falls Church
Weeks after opening in Tysons, the grocery chain signed a lease in early November to anchor the redevelopment of the corner of E. Broad and N. Washington streets. Tysons Reporter is looking to find out when the store plans to open and what community members think the new store’s impact will be on local businesses.
Progress of Little City Commons Development
Tysons Reporter will continue to provide updates on the construction of the new commercial area in Falls Church known as Litty City Commons.
Town of Vienna
New Tavern Opening Along Maple Avenue
The owners of Bear Branch Tavern said they want to open later this winter, adding a restaurant with two bars, a patio, indoor and outdoor fire pits, an oyster bar, frozen drink machines and bike racks to 133 E. Maple Avenue.
New Zoning Maple Avenue Guidelines
The Vienna Town Council extended the suspension of the Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) Zone to June 2020. Town officials are working to redesign the rules for new development applications for Maple Avenue.
Senior Living Facility Moving Forward?
Sunrise’s proposal to build a senior living facility at 380 Maple Avenue will go before the Vienna Town Council next year.
McLean
The Future of Claude Moore Colonial Farm
The National Park Service is trying to decide what to do with Claude Moore Colonial Farm property. Three different proposed plans were presented to the community in the fall for feedback. NPS is hoping to release a final proposal in spring 2020.
The Fate of Overcrowded McLean High School
Fairfax County wants to shift students from the overcrowded McLean High School to the under-capacity Langley High School. Boundary scope meetings are expected to continue into the spring, followed by a public hearing on the proposal and then a vote, so that the change can impact the 2020-2021 school year.
Tell us in the comments which pf these upcoming things you’re most interested in.
2020 is almost here. If you’re planning on going out to celebrate New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of parties and events around the Tysons area.
Let Tysons Reporter know where you plan to be when the clock strike midnight on Dec. 31.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM/Unsplash
Local Student Heading to London Parade — “Emma [W.], a sophomore and varsity cheerleader from George Mason High School, is one of more than 800 high school cheerleaders from across the U.S. who will be representing Varsity Spirit in the world-famous London New Year’s Day Parade.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Hotel Sold in Falls Church — “The Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park has traded hands for $52.2 million, more than $40 million less than what it sold for nearly a decade ago.” [Washington Business Journal]
How to Get Rid of Holiday Trees — “When you got the tree, what condition it was in at that time and how much it was watered factor into when you should take the tree to the curb. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue recommends getting rid of trees immediately or when they get dry.” [Patch]
FCPS Students Soon Able to Take Day Off to Protest — “Beginning Jan. 27, 2020 students in seventh through 12th grades will be permitted one excused absence each school year to engage in ‘civic engagement activities,’ according to Lucy Caldwell, school spokeswoman for Fairfax County Public Schools.” [WTOP]
Registration Opens Today for Little City Outdoor Classes — “Registration for Recreation & Parks Winter/Spring 2020 classes opens on Monday, December 30 for City of Falls Church residents.” [City of Falls Church/Twitter]
Photo courtesy Bill Johnson
Tysons may not have the liveliest nightlife at the moment, but that could soon change as more late-night restaurants and places to hang out open. “Tysons After Dark” will highlight a different spot every week.
Whether you’re already into fitness or one of the many people making a New Year’s goal to exercise more in 2020, there are several gyms around Tysons to check out.
Tysons Reporter did some research on gyms and fitness studios in the area and separated them into Tysons’ eight neighborhoods. This week, we’re profiling the ones in Tysons West.
24 Hour Fitness (1500 Cornerside Blvd, Suite A) has typical gym offerings, including an indoor pool, weights, cardio equipment, racquetball court, sauna and basketball court. The club offers groups for cycling and exercise, classes and training. The club is open from 4 a.m. to midnight every day of the week, according to its website.
Tysons Playground Fitness & Performance Center is a family-oriented space with youth programs for kids ages 8 and up and weight loss programs for adults at 8502 Tyco Road, Suite B. Members have 24-hour access to the facility, according to the website.
Tysons City Boxing (8501- 2A Tyco Road) offers boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and circuit training for beginners and advanced people. Most of the classes appear to be scheduled in the afternoon, with ones extending into the evening at 5:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., according to the schedule.
Another boxing studio — Rock Steady Boxing — has a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum for people with Parkinson’s Disease. The facility is located at 8501 Tyco Road A-2.
Hot Yoga Tysons has “hot, warm and cool” classes running as later as 9 p.m. on certain days. The studio is at 1420 Spring Hill Road, Suite 130.
BREAKAWAY Fitness has treadmills, an open floor, cable cross, hammer strength, ellipticals, bikes and rowers, along with personal training, massages and group exercise, according to its website. The facility is open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 7 a.m.-noon on Saturday at 1524 Springhill Road, Unit GG.
Fitness chain CrossFit has two locations — one called “Route 7” (8504-B Tyco Road) and another called “Tysons Corner” (8453 Tyco Road, Suite K). Both have classes in the evenings.
Fans of Orangetheory Fitness can find the hour-long classes at 1430 Spring Hill Road, Suite 150. The studio offers classes in the evenings, with the latest ones starting around 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on certain weekdays.
The Edge Strongman 2.0 (8502-B Tyco Road) “is dedicated to providing elite-level strongman coaching to both men and women with the equipment, personalized service and extensive knowledge,” according to its Facebook page. It is open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and until 4 p.m. on weekends, according to its website.
(Updated at 11:05 a.m.) A robbery happened at the CVS pharmacy in the Town of Vienna, local police say.
The incident occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. last Monday (Dec. 16) at 337 Maple Avenue E.
Vienna police said a woman dressed in black clothing and a head covering went up to the cashier at the CVS pharmacy “in a very aggressive manner and demanded all the money from the register while reaching into her jacket pocket.”
“The cashier, fearing that she may have a weapon, surrendered all the money from the register and the suspect left the scene,” police said.
More from the report:
Police officers, detectives, and a K-9 unit responded and searched the area but were unable to find the suspect. Officers and detectives on the scene obtained vital information that was broadcast to surrounding jurisdictions. Shortly after this robbery, a suspect fitting the same description committed another robbery in Fairfax County and was apprehended after leaving the scene of the second robbery.
In a separate incident, three roommates in the 600 block of Tapawingo Road SW reported to the Vienna Police Department that their parked vehicles’ tires were slashed with a sharp instrument between the night of Dec. 16 and the morning of Dec. 17.
Photo via Facebook
