Late Summer Update for BCA Members

[SSSundburg]

Bluemont Civic Association (BCA) Members:

We’ll hold our next general membership meeting in late September. In the meantime, here are a few important items and dates to note.

Night at the Museum II
To Be Shown Sat., August 29
In honor of our local veterans, the movie Night at the Museum II will be shown just after sunset (approximately 7:45 pm) on August 29th at the Bluemont Junction Soccer Field.

Local veterans and the community are invited, and the event is free to all. Popcorn and canned sodas should be available. The movie’s run time is approximately 2 hours.


Civic Federation Candidates’ Night
On Tues., September 1
Each year at its September meeting, the Arlington Civic Federation holds a candidates’ forum at the Hazel Conference Center at Virginia Hospital Center-Arlington. Local races include a seat on the Arlington County Board and several seats for the Virginia House of Delegates’ (Bluemont lies in the 47th District). It’s a great opportunity to get a first look at local candidates in action.

This year, the Civic Federation will host 11 candidates running in the November 3, 2009, General Election for the offices of Virginia
House of Delegates 45th, 47th, 48th, and 49th districts, Arlington County School Board, and Arlington County Board. All 11 eligible candidates intend to participate. The lobby opens at 7:00 pm, and the meeting starts at 7:30. For more details, visit www.civfed.org. For a list of all 2009 candidates, visit www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/VoterRegistration/VoterRegistrationElectionInformation.aspx.


Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Planned for Glebe Road Intersections
At BCA’s July Executive Board meeting, Capital Projects Manager Tom Hutchings of Arlington’s Division of Transportation presented the revised pedestrian safety improvements for intersections along N. Glebe Road between N. Carlin Springs Road and N. Fairfax Drive.

Over the last 10 years, Arlington County has been working with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to reach a consensus on the design and approval of changes to address safety concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The revised pedestrian safety improvement plans cover the intersections of N. Glebe Road at N. Carlin Springs Road, at Wilson Boulevard and at N. Fairfax Drive (which includes the intersection of N. Wakefield Street at Fairfax Drive). Please note that some improvements contained in the plans have already been constructed (for example, the medians in front of 950 Glebe Road) or will be constructed (for example, sidewalks and other improvements tied to Peck-Staples) in conjunction with the redevelopment of properties along Glebe.

“Improvements” are defined changes or upgrades to the existing sidewalks and pedestrian refuges (medians), striping for crosswalks, street lighting, and pedestrian and traffic signals and signage. These improvements should bolster pedestrian, bicyclist and vehicular safety. New handicap ramps will be designed to meet the most current standards.

Now that the planning is in its final stages, the Department of Environmental Services has begun soliciting feedback from the community. Flyers have been posted at the intersections, and the technical drawings and other information have been posted to the county’s Website at www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/cpe/capprojects/page67332.aspx. Comments/questions can be sent to Tom Hutchings at Thutc...@arlingtonva.us or at 703-228-3809.

If there is consensus on the improvements, then construction may start by September 2010 or earlier. Public hearings can be held, if necessary, but they would delay the construction schedule.