The George Washington Region (Virginia Planning District 16) is the fastest growing region in Virginia. This increase in population brings with it a tremendous amount of stress on the supporting infrastructure of the region, most notably, the roadway system. Taking into account the population forecasts for the next 30 years, the traffic problem is only going to get worse.
Within the next 30 years the population of the George Washington Region is projected to double to well over 500,000 people. To accommodate this expected increase, elected officials, state, regional and local government employees have planned provisions to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as integrating bicycle and pedestrian travel with other modes of transportation. The provision of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the George Washington Region play an essential role in the future transportation network by providing a variety of modal choices; reducing local traffic volumes; providing increased access to transit facilities, employment/commercial centers, historical and cultural areas, recreational facilities, residential areas, and generally improving the overall quality of life in the Region.
A safe, comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian circulation system is an essential component to every transportation network. Aside from the health benefits associated with bicycling and walking, these activities can be used as a viable form of transportation especially in urban environments and with the proper planning and roadway design; in suburban areas also. This Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan represents a coordinated approach between the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC)/The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO) and its local jurisdictions to provide information and guidance, as well as to encourage and facilitate the development of a safe, interconnected, regional network of on-road as well as off-road bicycle and pedestrian corridors and related facilities.
To help guide the planning process, FAMPO has created a Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, composed of the staff of local governments, VDOT, local school districts, the U.S. National Park Service, interested organizations (Sierra Club, Fredericksburg Pathway Partners, Fredericksburg Cycling Club, the Potomac National Scenic Heritage Trail Association, etc) and interested citizens. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee acted as an advisory board to help guide the planning process.
This plan took a comprehensive approach to bicycle and pedestrian planning by:
Identifying existing facilities/ conditions within the Region, making specific roadway improvement recommendations that will link users to destinations/services they need.
Identification of Bicycle User Groups.
A proposed Regional primary system that will act as a connector between the localities in the region as well as other PDC’s and the east cost as a whole (i.e. the East Coast Greenway, Interstate Bike Route 1, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail).
A comprehensive set of VDOT and AASHTO (American Association of State Highway Transpiration Officials) design guidelines.
An implementation schedule.
Strategies for improving bicycle and pedestrian safety.
A complete account of funding sources available.
A cost estimate plan, and
A sample maintenance schedule for current and future bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
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