A Car-Free Street Dream in Northern Virginia

The city of Alexandria has begun to explore the idea of transforming sections of King Street into a car-free pedestrian zone.

1 minute read

August 29, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Alexandria, Virginia

King Street in Alexandria, Virginia leads to Waterfront Park and the Potomac River. | Google Streetview

"A small section at the base of King Street in Alexandria, Virginia could become a car-free zone," reports Joanne Tang.

The proposal is still speculative, but "city staff are looking into closing some combination of the 100 block and 200 block of King Street to car traffic to make the space even more attractive and useful," according to Tang.

Tang also notes that even in the project's conceptual stage of development, the idea has provoked a windshield perspective from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

Missy Schrott reported on the project earlier in August. Schott's coverage includes a quote from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, who makes the case for a car-free street in the city: "There is very much a yearning for rethinking the way we use public space….Here, you have a space that attracts a lot of people, a lot of visitors, a lot of residents, and I think there’s a way to make that even more vital, even more attractive to the community."

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 in Greater Greater Washington

Portland Bus Lane

‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland

Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.

August 30, 2023 - Mass Transit

An aerial view of Milwaukee’s Third Ward.

Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny

The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.

August 27, 2023 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Conceptual rendering of Rikers Island redevelopment as renewable energy facility

Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?

New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?

August 24, 2023 - Mark McNulty

A rendering of the Utah City master planned, mixed-use development.

700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah

A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.

August 31 - Daily Herald

A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.

More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus

Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.

August 31 - The Denver Post

Air pollution is visible in the air around high-rise buildings in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says

Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.

August 31 - Phys.org