Planned John Mason Trail Adjusted - City Council Vote on Tuesday Sept 28

At the upcoming City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 28th, the City Council will be voting on whether or not to adopt a resolution to approve the city’s submission of Phase 1 of the John Mason Trail Project to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. 

This vote about funding for the John Mason Trail Project will be agenda item 9.b on the City Council Meeting Agenda.

The proposed John Mason Trail was designed to “create a scenic off-road shortcut around the busy Pickett Road and Main Street intersection, connecting neighborhoods to the Daniels Run Trail and other key destinations.”

The original proposal called for an asphalt trail. However, the proposal has recently been modified. According to the city staff report for this agenda item, “A work session for this project was scheduled for September 14, but was removed from the agenda. After hearing comment from the public at the September 14 meeting and via email, the proposal has been modified to phase the project and utilize a pier/boardwalk system, which requires less tree removal than an asphalt or similarly graded trail. Subsequent phases will be discussed at a later date. The modified request for funding endorsement is for Phase 1 of the trail using the modified construction method mentioned above. This project was approved in the City’s Two Year Transportation Program.”

If you would like to make your voice heard about this proposed trail, read on.

Citizens are able to participate in public hearing items only during these meetings by any of the ways listed below:

• Emailing comments to publichearing@fairfaxva.gov

• Visiting the eComment website

• Calling (571) 282-3524
  Citizens who wish to speak before the City Council, either during "Presentations by the Public on any item not calling for a public hearing," at the beginning of the meeting, or, during a public hearing are encouraged to register in advance with the city clerk's office at (703) 385-7935.  Sign-up sheets will also be on-hand in the lobby of the Council Chambers Room 100, prior to the City Council meeting.

Council meetings and work sessions begin at 7 p.m. and are held in Council Chamber, located in Room 100 of the City Hall Annex, 10455 Armstrong Street.

If you would like to learn more about this project, continue scrolling to read the recent article and links below.

Thank you for being informed and engaged!

Old Lee Hills Civic Association

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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• “Fewer Trees Targeted In Revised John Mason Trail Plan In Fairfax” (Patch.com article)

• John Mason Trail Project Website

  • Project Information: 

    The proposed John Mason Trail would create a scenic off-road shortcut around the busy Pickett Road and Main Street intersection, connecting neighborhoods to the Daniels Run Trail and other key destinations. The approximately one-mile trail would begin on Pickett Road north of Colonial Avenue, run west and then south around the tank farm, terminating at Main Street east of Lyndhurst Drive. This trail would mainly be constructed on city-owned property; however, easements from the Comstock Homeowner’s Association and Fairfax Water Authority will be needed.

  • Funding: 

    The John Mason Trail was included in the City’s Two-Year Transportation Program, adopted by City Council on June 22, 2021. Thus far the City has developed high level concept plans and a cost estimate for the purpose of preparing a funding application. The City plans to submit a funding application to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. If the NVTA includes this project in their program, the funding would become available in FY2027. At that time, the City would further evaluate the trail alignment and coordinate project features with key stakeholders including utility owners, tank farm operators, and adjacent property owners. Project construction would occur in FY2029/30.

• City Council Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, September 28, 2021, 7:00 P.M.

• Agenda Item # 9b: Consideration of a resolution to approve the City’s submission to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority for FY 27 Funding.

• There has been pushback on this project from the Friends of Accotink Creek, who are advocating for “no trees harmed” alternatives. Alternatives Proposed by Friends of Accotink Creek

View of the proposed trail location.

Alignment Options Exhibit (View PDF to zoom in)