A  Categorial Exclusion (CE) was submitted to the Federal Highway Authority (FHWA) in 2011 and updated in 2012, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The DCE identified existing environmental issues and potential impacts associated with the project, including socio-economic, parkland and cultural resources, natural resources, air quality, noise and other factors. As documented in the CE, the project meets the criteria for a Categorical Exclusion and will not result in significant impacts to the human or natural environment.

The City of Alexandria governs construction noise through Sec. 11-5-4 (b)15 of the city’s Noise Ordinance; Construction activities are regulated by permitted hours and not by decibel levels. Construction activities including the use of construction devices and power equipment, equipment loading/unloading, material delivery, communication devices, worker arrivals/departures are permitted during the following hours: Monday - Friday: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday:9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

A Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) amendment #2012-0028 and Master Plan Amendment #2012-0002 was approved by City Council on June 15, 2013, for the final development on Eisenhower East Block 19 (Parc Meridian apartment building at 2250 Mill Road). The DSUP and Master Plan Amendment includes the design for the BMP pond within the Resource Protection Area (RPA). The BMP pond functions as a publicly accessible open space, while achieving stormwater management functions. The BMP / pond is located on land owned by both the developer and the City, and a public access easement allows for use by the public. The DSUP requires the coordination of the development and the future Eisenhower Avenue project, including the widening of Mill Road at Eisenhower Avenue. It also includes the requirement for a construction easement by the property owner, needed on a small portion of the development property for the Eisenhower Avenue project.

The Eisenhower East Small Area Plan, completed in 2003 and updated in 2020, recommends the installation of a “T” intersection at Eisenhower Avenue and Holland Lane to better accommodate traffic pattern changes anticipated to occur in conjunction with the future new development in Eisenhower East. The “T” intersection will improve pedestrian safety by featuring signalized crosswalks across both Eisenhower Avenue and Holland Lane, as well as provide more accessible open space on both sides of Eisenhower Avenue. This improvement also addresses lane safety concerns caused by large trucks navigating the roundabout by providing a structured intersection with sufficient clearance for these vehicles to turn on and off Eisenhower Avenue.

The project included a traffic study that was initially conducted as part of the 2003 Eisenhower East Small Area Plan, and a separate traffic study was completed in 2009 during the concept development for the Eisenhower Avenue widening project, which extended as far west as Stovall Lane at that time. In 2013, the project was scaled back to end at Mill Road (west limit). An updated traffic study was completed as part of the 2019 Eisenhower East Small Area Plan Update. All of the traffic studies support the proposed improvements being constructed.

The proposed improvements along Eisenhower Avenue are consistent with the City’s Environmental Action Plan, the Complete Streets Design Guidelines and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

• Environmental Action Plan – The project includes multimodal transportation improvements to encourage walking and biking, adds to the tree canopy, and installs new water quality planters.  These improvements are consistent with Eco City Alexandria and the Environmental Action Plan.
• Pedestrian and  Bicycle Master Plan – The proposed pedestrian and bicycle improvements are consistent with the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan’s goals related to improving safety and engineering. The proposed bicycle improvements are also consistent with the City’s proposed bicycle network.
• Complete Streets Design Guidelines – While the design was completed prior to the 2016 Complete Streets Design Guidelines, the proposed improvements are generally consistent with the City’s Complete Streets Design Guidelines. Eisenhower Avenue is classified as a Mixed Use Boulevard, and the first phase of improvements include wider sidewalks, 11’ travel lanes (within the 12’ maximum), added vegetation and stormwater management improvements, high visibility crosswalks, ADA compliant curb ramps, and pedestrian countdown signals. 
• Vision Zero – The improvements are consistent with the City’s Vision Zero initiative that aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2028. The project includes improvements such as signalized and high visibility crosswalks, countdown signals, ADA compliant curb ramps, wider sidewalks, landscape medians and buffers.

Traffic along Eisenhower Avenue and Holland Lane will be maintained during construction. There are currently no transit routes that use Eisenhower Avenue between Mill Road and Holland Lane, and no transit routes use Holland Lane. There are routes (REX Richmond Highway Express, Metrobus NH2) along Mill Road and on Eisenhower Avenue west of Mill Road, and those routes will be maintained during construction.  The City has been coordinating with both DASH and Metrobus during construction.

City Council adopted the 2019 Eisenhower East Small Area Plan Update on March 14, 2020. The plan recommends additional mixed-use development, as well as increased building heights and more public open spaces, all linked via an improved pedestrian and bicycle network consisting of sidewalks, trails and bike facilities. The proposed network includes improved sidewalks and dedicated bike facilities along Eisenhower Avenue, the Old Cameron Run Trail, and sidewalks and shared bicycle facilities along a new future street grid in Eisenhower East. The Plan does not recommend changes to the established guidance for the Carlyle community, which falls within the borders of the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan. Carlyle is governed by by an approved Coordinated Development District (CDD) and Special Use Permit (SUP) that provide detailed direction on land uses and design. Learn more about the Carlyle and the Carlyle Design Review Board.

The project scope does not include replacement/repair for all segments of sidewalk adjacent to Eisenhower Avenue. Residents may contact the City’s  311 Service to request sidewalk repairs. Damaged sidewalks will be inspected by the City’s Public Works Services to determine the proper remedy or solution for repair. 

The City is also currently designing the  Old Cameron Run multi-use trail, a parallel facility to Eisenhower Avenue, that will connect from Payne Street to Hooffs Run Drive along Old Cameron Run. Any extension of the trail to Mill Road is dependent on the redevelopment of private property. If that occurs, the City will work closely with the developer to address accessibility and public safety.

Tree removal is required to widen Eisenhower Avenue and the additional lane on Mill Road. Tree replacements will be provided per project requirements. In addition, new vegetation will be added to the median.This also includes water quality improvement planters containing trees and shrubs. The planters capture rainwater runoff before if flows into stormwater inlets, allowing pollutants to absorb into the ground instead of flowing into rivers and streams.  The landscape plans can also be found on the project webpage.

The project was recommended in the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan in 2003 and followed by conceptual planning. Design was initiated in 2009. The design concept was approved by Council in 2013. After 2013, there were other tasks that had to be completed including utility relocations (completed in 2018), and Right of Way acquisition (completed in 2019). These tasks took longer than originally anticipated.  

Pedestrian curb ramps and pavement markings will be updated at the intersection of Eisenhower Avenue and Mill Road, which will improve safety. Drivers are required to follow certain laws when encountering a school bus. Virginia motorists must:

• stop for school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when approaching from any direction;
• remain stopped until everyone is clear, and the bus moves again; and,
• stop whenever the bus is loading or unloading passengers, even if the lights and stop sign are not activated.

In addition, the Virginia has two new traffic safety laws:

• Drivers must stop and remained stopped for a people crossing at any marked and unmarked crosswalk.
• Any driver that causes serious injury to or death of a vulnerable street user due to carelessness or distraction can be charged as a Class 1 Misdemeanor. 

For more information on the new traffic laws, see the City's Vision Zero webpage.

The Eisenhower statue has been relocated to a storage facility. The Carlyle Community Council (CCC) is currently evaluating new location options for the statue. There are no specific plans at this time for where the statue will be relocated.