Pike ‘Super Stops’ Redesigned, Cost Nearly Cut in Half

Arlington County:

“The county’s plan for ‘Super Stop’ bus stops on Columbia Pike, which led to the much-maligned $1 million Super Stop at the corner of the Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive, has been scrapped in favor of a more affordable design.

The county announced this afternoon that the new plan calls for building the 23 additional transit centers along the Pike for about 40 percent less than the previous budget, dropping the total price from $20.9 million to $12.4 million. The cost of individual stations will be between $362,000 and $672,000.

The freshly-redesigned stops — which were designed by the county and a consultant — will feature six covered, concrete seats, as opposed to the Super Stop’s steel seats. The canopies, which on the Super Stop did little to keep out the elements, will be lowered in height from 13 feet to 10 feet and the angle reduced from 10 degrees to 1.5 degrees. The total canopy coverage will also increase from 243 to 295 square feet on standard transit centers. In addition, side windscreens will be added to enhance weather protection.”

~Writes Ethan Rothstein of ArlingtonNow

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Bus loop eyed for Freezeland Road area

Warren County:

“A rural part of Warren County may soon get a place for parents to drop off and pick up school-aged children. The Board of Supervisors last week voted to accept a deed of a gift from the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries for approximately 3.19 acres of land on Freezeland Road. The county proposes to build a commuter parking lot with a bus loop for students. The facility would serve primarily the Shenandoah Farms and Blue Mountain communities.

County Administrator Douglas Stanley said Thursday that construction of the facility may not happen for another one to three years. The county needs to set aside funds to build the facility that Stanley said would compare to one it operates in Linden Park. Once the transfer of the property goes through, Stanley said the county would move forward on designing the facility. The county would need approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the design. The Planning Commission also would need to approve the site as a park.”

~Writes Alex Bridges of Northern Virginia Daily

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