News And Community
A new tool will allow Fairfax County residents to see the status of snow plowing in their neighborhood.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is currently testing the online tool, Governor Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday in a press release.
Once it snows at least two inches, residents can find out the status of plowing in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William county neighborhoods here.
Users can monitor whether crews have started plowing a particular “snow map” region on the county grid. Northern Virginia streets are divided into 600 snow maps, so while street-by-street progress is not shown, residents can see what neighborhoods have been plowed.
- Green indicates a neighborhood has been plowed,
- Yellow means plows are in progress in the neighborhood,
- Blue indicates plows have not yet started the neighborhood; and,
- Gray means the area is not maintained by VDOT. Cities, towns and some developments maintain their own roads.
- View the video on how to use the new site on YouTube.
After much anticipation, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) made it easier for area commuters by opening a new Kiss & Ride facility at the Woodbridge VRE station in late January.
The project provides separated car and bus access from the northbound lanes of Route 1, as well as improved pedestrian access. Construction consisted of surface grading and pavement, adding a turning lane on northbound Route 1, concrete curbing, gutters, sidewalks, storm water drainage, crosswalks, a bus shelter, lighting, and signage all within a limited area and a very busy thoroughfare.
Toll Road Rates To Triple in Next Few Years?
The Metropolitan Airports Authority's new projections show that one-way rates on the Dulles Toll Road could triple to $6.75 by 2018 to bring in the necessary funds to pay for Phase 2 of the Metro's Silver Line.
The projections were released Wednesday at a MWAA board meeting. MWAA operates Dulles and Reagan airports as well as the toll road and is overseeing construction of Metro’s Silver Line expansion.
The projections are in line with those made several years ago. There is already a 25-cent rise - the third in three years - scheduled for Jan. 1, 2013.
Phase 1 of this large project to improve transportation in Northern Virginia is underway and will continue through 2013. This phase includes the construction of 4 additional metrorail stations and requires some lane or complete closures on Route 7, the Beltway, the Dulles Toll Road. Phase 2 will begin in 2013 and include the construction of 6 additional metrorail stations.
No 2011 Fire-Related Deaths in Fairfax County
For the first time in its 62-year history, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department recorded no fire-related deaths in 2011.
Fairfax County, with a population of over one million residents, has averaged more than seven fire deaths annually from 2000 to 2010, according to a press release from the department.
The department attributes its response time, and community outreach programs to the success.
Firefighters also participate in a semi-annual “Smoke Alarm Initiative” where they canvass neighborhoods checking for working smoke alarms.
Friday Night Rock 'n' Skate at Reston Town Center Ice Skating PavilionNov 11 - Mar 16, Reston Town Center Pavilion
Recurring weekly on Friday
Address: 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA
Times: 8pm-11pm
Phone: (703) 709-6300
Admission: FREE
Friday Night Rock 'n' Skate at the Ice Skating Pavilion happens every Friday with a live DJ from 8 - 10 pm, with games & prizes until 11 pm.
New Herndon Fire Station Planned
For years Fairfax County has debated where to move Herndon's central fire station on Spring Street, but after looking at more than 30 alternate locations the decision was made to rebuild on the same site.
According to the Fairfax Times, the county will tear down and rebuild Station No. 4, located at 680 Spring St., and the project will cost $11 million. The funding for the project was approved by voters in a bond referendum last November. The station is the county's oldest existing fire station.
County officials said the station is outdated, too small for equipment such as ladder trucks, and doesn't have separate living quarters for the male and female firefighters.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in the spring of 2013 and end in 2015. A temporary station will be used during the construction, to be located at 791 Elden St.
Fairfax County’s annual ‘Stuff the Bus’ food drive starts this month at area grocery stores.
All food collected will go directly to local non-profit organizations that provide assistance to needy families.
The program is run by the office of Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services and the Office of Public Private Partnerships in cooperation with MV Transportation.
The food drives are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the following dates.
February 18
Fair City Mall Shoppers
9622 Main Street
Fairfax
Benefiting Our Daily Bread
Seven Corners Center Shoppers
6360 Seven Corners Center
Falls Church
Benefiting Falls Church Community Service Council