October 30, 2020
Dear Providence Residents, 

We are only days away from the election and there are two more days to early vote! If you haven't voted already, make a plan today. See how to vote early, drop off your absentee ballot, and find your polling place on election day in the information below.

This week I announced a new safety improvement of a flashing beacon light at Shreve Road and the W&OD Trail Crossing. In the Mosaic District, "Relay," the autonomous electric powered shuttle was launched, which offers free, zero-emission rides between the Dunn-Loring Metro Station and Mosaic. It's also Fire & Safety Month so please check your smoke alarms and keep your homes safe. I featured photos from my visits to our extraordinary local Fire Stations. Lastly, I've included safe Halloween guidelines, recommending no door-to-door trick or treating this year.

You can find the following Providence District updates in this week's edition of the newsletter:
  • Voting Information
  • Shreve Road Safety Improvements
  • "Relay" Electric Shuttle Launch at Mosaic
  • October is Fire & Safety Month: Check Your Smoke Alarms!
  • Have a Safe Halloween
  • Transportation Updates
  • Free Access to RECenters for Veterans Nov 11

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family safe and well.

With Gratitude, 
Supervisor Dalia Palchik 
Two More Days of Early Voting

Last Day: Saturday, October 31
EXTENDED HOURS:
Friday: 11:00am - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
 
Parking and absentee ballot drop boxes available on site
Find Your Polling Place for November 3rd

On Election Day, Tuesday November 3rd, polls are open from 6:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M
Note: Polling place for the Nottoway precinct was moved recently to Marshall Road Elementary School.

Note: All absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov 3rd.
Shreve Road Safety Improvements
I am pleased to announce that a temporary flashing beacon was installed on Tuesday at the W&OD Trail crossing to immediately address one of the outcomes of the Shreve Road Corridor Study, until a permanent improvement can be funded and developed. This is a positive safety development for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists accessing the Shreve Road corridor. The flashing light will improve visibility and operate on solar and battery power. I want to thank the Virginia Department of Transportation for quickly implementing this safety measure and Delegate Marcus Simon for his partnership to improve safety on Shreve Road.
Launch of Relay Electric Shuttle at Mosaic
I was excited to join other county and federal officials in Merrifield last week to help launch the autonomous electric powered shuttle which offers free, zero-emission rides between the Dunn-Loring Metro Station and Mosaic District. It’s the first publicly funded autonomous electric shuttle and test of driverless technology in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a pilot project of a public-private partnership between Fairfax County, Dominion Energy, Virginia transportation agencies, and George Mason University. 

“Relay” will run at 10 mph Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every 15 to 20 minutes between Bus Bay A at the Metro station and the Barnes and Noble stop in Mosaic. COVID-19 limits the number of passengers to three who must wear masks. A steward will always be on board. For more information, go here.
Fire & Safety Prevention Month
To celebrate Fire & Safety prevention month, I visited some of the Fire Stations recently that serve our Providence Community. I was honored to meet and speak with some of our firefighters who help keep the community safe.

Thank you to the #30 Merrifield Fire Station and Captain William Vance, #34 Oakton Fire Station and Captain Frederick Luong, and the #29 Tysons Corner Fire Station and Captain Michael Whetsell and thank you to all of our dedicated Firefighters for being gracious hosts. I learned so much about their firetrucks and their work. One of the highlights was climbing to the top of the ladder!
Visiting the Tysons Corner Station #29
Touring the Tyson’s station with Captain Michael Whetsell
High in the sky overlooking Providence, with the help of the Oakton Fire Station
Speaking with Firefighters from the Merrifield Station
Learning about the firetruck Engine
Group photo with the Oakton Station Firefighters
Stay Safe this Halloween!
Transportation Updates
  • Overnight lane closures and stops of up to 20 minutes are scheduled for I-66 West approaching Gallows Road through today, Friday, Oct. 30, for overhead bridge work on the new Gallows Road Bridge over I-66. Gallows Road over I-66 will be reduced to a single travel lane in each direction. Two-way traffic will run on the southbound side of Gallows Road.

  • Waples Mill Road over I-66 should reopen to two-way travel today

  • The deadline for public comment and to take a survey on proposed improvements for the Falls Church portion of Arlington Highway, Route 50, between Jaguar Trail and Wilson Boulevard is Oct. 30, 2020. Information and the survey (also available in Spanish and Vietnamese) is at virginiadot.org/route50fallschurchstudy. Comments may also be sent to meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov or to Bobby Mangalath, P.E., VDOT, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

  • VDOT has extended the deadline for public comment for the proposed 495 NEXT Project until Dec. 4, 2020. The 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project proposes to extend the 495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the Dulles Toll Road interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge. Visit 495NorthernExtension.org for more information, review public hearing materials, and learn how to provide comments.
Proposed 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension Project. Public comments extended to Dec 4
The current W&OD Trail detour route just east of Lee Highway (Route 29) has been shifted until early November to allow for reconstruction of sidewalks on Lee Highway, the Econolodge entrance on Fairfax Drive, and nearby curb ramps on Lee Highway. During the detour, trail users are using a new sidewalk and trail adjacent to the new trail bridge. 
Veterans Free Access to RECenters Nov 11
Featured Chalk Art from a Providence Resident
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Office Phone: (703) 560-6946
 
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