This project provides a separated, safe pathway for people walking and biking, where limited bicycle and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure exists today. This would provide important nonmotorized connections to Northern Virginia Community College, local neighborhoods, the regional trail network, the future West End Transitway, and other destinations in Alexandria’s West End.

The Alexandria Mobility Plan identifies North Beauregard Street as an enhanced bicycle corridor between the Arlington County Line and North Armistead Street. Currently, funding is only available for the multi-use trail between Berkeley Street and Fillmore Avenue. Any future extensions are subject to future funding availability and a feasibility assessment.

Improvements at the intersection of North Beauregard Street and West Braddock Road will be completed by the adjacent property owner during the redevelopment process. The primary improvement will be to remove the existing “slip” lanes and provide space for the trail and a future West End Transitway station. The timing of these improvements depends on when the property undergoes redevelopment.

A portion of the multi-use trail has already been installed by way of a wide, buffered sidewalk west of Fillmore Avenue through private redevelopment. The remaining section of narrow sidewalk between the private property and Seminary Road is expected to be replaced by a multi-use trail with the City’s West End Transitway project.

There are benefits to installing the multi-use trail on both the north side and the south side of North Beauregard Street. Both sides of the street have major generators of bicycle and pedestrian traffic and would benefit from the multi-use trail. By providing the multi-use trail on the south side, the City can connect the existing wide paths at either end of the project and minimize impacts to existing trees. There are also elevation challenges on the north side of the street that could make a trail there prohibitively expensive.

The North Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail project and the Holmes Run Trail Repairs project are both high priorities for the City and are occurring simultaneously.  The North Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail was identified as a priority project in 2016, before the damage to Holmes Run Trail occurred. Additionally, North Beauregard Street Multi-Use Trail was awarded grant funds prior to the damage sustained to Holmes Run Trail that cannot be used for any other project. As part of the FY2021 budget, the City identified repairs to Holmes Run Trail as a priority project and allocated $6 million in local funds to support that project. Design for the Holmes Run Trail Repairs is underway, and updates are available on the project website.

The proposed multi-use trail and adjacent retaining wall footprint will require removal of certain trees for construction. Any vegetation removed by this project will be replaced in a more suitable location. As the project progresses, the design team will work with the City to determine the appropriate planting amount and locations to fulfill all planting requirements.