New Power Lines & Bigger Substations: October 1st Dominion Power Open House

Much of the discussion about a new proposal from Dominion Power has focused on deciding along which route they will run the new high-voltage power lines across Alexandria to Arlington, but a lesser discussed aspect of the proposal involves what will happen at the substations at either end of the new lines.

Along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Dominion and its partner Pepco envision enlarging the existing substation on the former GenOn power plant. While they don't expect to expand the property, the substation itself would expand within the existing property and take up much of its space, bringing it closer to the park's roadway.

Along South Glebe Road, however, Dominion has indicated that more property will be needed to host an expanded substation. From their website:

Work at Dominion’s Glebe Substation will require construction inside an expanded footprint to accommodate a new line and new equipment to support reliability needs to local residents and businesses.

Dominion is offering the chance for the public to engage with them regarding the proposal. They are hosting an informational open house to learn more about proposed plans to add a new 230kV electric transmission line between its Glebe Substation, located at the intersection of S. Glebe Road and S. Eads Street in Arlington County, and Pepco’s Potomac River Substation at the intersection of Slaters Lane and E. Abingdon Drive in the City of Alexandria.

While there will not be a formal presentation, the public is welcome to speak with subject matter experts who will be available to answer specific questions:

Wednesday, October 1, 2014
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (drop by anytime during these hours)
Mount Vernon Community School
2601 Commonwealth Avenue
Alexandria, VA

Late last Spring, Dominion Virginia Power has approached the City of Alexandria regarding Dominion’s proposal to construct a new 230-kilovolt underground transmission line between Alexandria and Arlington in the vicinity of Jefferson Davis Highway and Potomac Yard. The project enlarge and upgrade equipment at the existing switching station on E. Abingdon Drive in Alexandria, and connect it to the Glebe Substation on S. Glebe Road in Arlington.

On September 11th, the City's newly formed Underground Transmission Line and Substation Working Group held its first meeting to examine the effects of the proposal.  Dominion Virginia Power identified nine preliminary alignments for the new transmission line connecting these two substations. Dominion indicated that they intend to file with the State Corporation Commission by the end of November for the project.

Dominion Virginia Power will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, October 1st from 5-8pm at the Mount Vernon School (Community Room) located at 2601 Commonwealth Ave. 

For more info see the project page on the City's website:

Dominion Virginia Power Proposed Transmission Line Project.

Or check out the Dominion Virginia Power 230KV Line Project website.

Possible Routes for New High-voltage Underground Powerline

Dominion Virginia Power has approached the City of Alexandria regarding Dominion’s proposal to construct a new 230-kilovolt underground transmission line between Alexandria and Arlington in the vicinity of Jefferson Davis Highway and Potomac Yard. The project enlarge and upgrade equipment at the existing switching station on E. Abingdon Drive in Alexandria, and connect it to the Glebe Substation on S. Glebe Road in Arlington. 

On September 11th, the City's newly formed Underground Transmission Line and Substation Working Group held its first meeting to examine the effects of the proposal.  Dominion Virginia Power identified nine preliminary alignments for the new transmission line connecting these two substations. Dominion indicated that they intend to file with the State Corporation Commission by the end of November for the project. 

Dominion Virginia Power will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, October 1st from 5-8pm at the Mount Vernon School (Community Room) located at 2601 Commonwealth Ave. 

For more info see the project page on the City's website:

Dominion Virginia Power Proposed Transmission Line Project.

Or check out the Dominion Virginia Power 230KV Line Project website.

3rd Annual Multicultural Fest Celebrates Alexandria’s Diversity

City of Alexandria to host 3rd Annual Alexandria Multicultural Fest on Saturday, September 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Conservatory Center at Four Mile Run, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave. Admission is free.

Designed to bring community members together to celebrate Alexandria’s diversity, the Alexandria Multicultural Fest features entertainment for all ages including live music and activities representing the region’s cultures. Performances include music from “Rainbow Rock Band,” “The Johnny Artis Band” and “Melodica Oriental,” as well as a variety of dance styles. Free games, demonstrations and activities will highlight a broad range of cultures and a wide variety of crafts and cuisines will be available for purchase.

“Rainbow Rock Band,” featuring Kate Moran as the Rainbow Lady, will perform interactive Pop Rock children’s songs where kids can play instruments along with the band. “The Johnny Artis Band” has been entertaining the Mid-Atlantic region for years with their fun loving brand of Rhythm and Blues music. El Salvadoran and Honduran musicians form the group “Melodica Oriental” and perform in the traditional Latino style.

For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation, or contact Kelly Gilfillen, Marketing Manager, at 703.746.4644 or Kelly.Gilfillen@alexandriava.gov.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Needs Community Input

Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update and
Development of the Complete Streets Design Guidelines

The City of Alexandria Department of Transportation & Environmental Services is currently conducting the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and is conducting a number of public engagement activities over the Summer/Fall. We would appreciate it if you could post the following message on your website or to your listserve. If you have any questions, please contact Steve Sindiong at 703-746-4047 or steve.sindiong@alexandriava.gov

We want to hear from you!

As part of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update, the City is seeking community input on existing walking and bicycle issues and needs, and ideas for improving the environment for walking and biking.  

An online survey and interactive map can be accessed from the project webpage www.alexandriava.gov/pedbikeplan. 

 The survey and map are available in English and Spanish and will be available for input through early October 2014.

Upcoming Meeting!

In addition, the project will host a public meeting on September 30 from 7pm to 9pm at the Minnie Howard School Library, 3801 W. Braddock Road. 

Background Information

The FY 2014 Interdepartmental Work Program approved by City Council on May 29, 2013 identified the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan update as a planning effort to begin in FY 2014.  The City’s 2008 Transportation Master Plan envisions a transportation system that encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, reduces dependence on the automobile, and promotes a balance between travel efficiency and quality of life. The City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan, also completed in 2008, is a supporting technical document to the Transportation Master Plan that provides additional planning guidance for pedestrian and bicycle projects. Since then, the City has adopted a Complete Streets Policy leading to the implementation of a number of pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects, and initiated the Capital Bikeshare program, both of which continue to expand citywide.

The City is updating the Pedestrian and Bicycle chapters of the Transportation Master Plan to reflect changes that have occurred since 2008, including the Complete Streets policy, Capital Bikeshare program, and a move toward implementing on-street bicycle facilities. In addition, the City will be developing a Complete Streets Design Guidelines Manual.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update

The update of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan will include an evaluation of existing conditions, issues, constraints and needs, as well as a review of existing policies, goals and objectives. Both a pedestrian and bicycle network will be developed to identify short and long term projects, future bikeshare station locations, and actions and strategies to implement the plan.  The update will be reflected in new pedestrian and bicycle chapters in the City’s Transportation Master Plan, and will include a separate technical appendix. Both the chapter updates and technical appendix will serve as an update to both the Transportation Master Plan chapters, and the 2008 Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan.

 The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail Geralyn.Taylor@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4084, Virginia Relay 711.

For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/PedBikePlan or contact Steve Sindiong, Principal Transportation Planner at Steve.Sindiong@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4047. 

HUGE Book Sale for Scholarship Fund of Alexandria!

Looking for a good book? We've got plenty!

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Thanks to hundreds of donations from across the city.

Come to the Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market (www.4MRMarket.org) at 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue this Sunday September 7th to find that great read you've been looking for.