A New Vision for Fairfax Circle

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Consultation has concluded.

Did you know that Fairfax Circle is actually more of a “hamburger” than a “circle” due to its unique shape and traffic flow? Whether you think of it as a circle or a hamburger, the city wants your input in how to improve it. The city is developing a new vision for both the intersection and the surrounding area and identifying design alternatives for this key intersection, one of two eastern gateways into Fairfax City. Transportation departments in Virginia and elsewhere began removing and replacing hamburger intersections in the 1970s and ‘80s. Fairfax Circle is one of the last ones still in use in the Commonwealth.

The primary goals of this project are to develop a vision for the intersection as well as design alternatives that meet the future needs of the Fairfax Circle Activity Center – the area around the intersection earmarked for future commercial and residential development. Once this first step – identifying a vision and feasible alternatives - is complete, future steps will include selecting and implementing the preferred alternative.

We are reaching out to residents, business owners, and commuters for ideas that improve mobility and safety for all users, manage traffic congestion, create a welcoming entrance to the city, and support economic development within the Fairfax Circle Activity Center.

The visioning project is anticipated to take about six months, and actual improvements to the intersection would occur several years later. The project will be conducted with technical assistance from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program.

We encourage you to share your comments and questions below.

Did you know that Fairfax Circle is actually more of a “hamburger” than a “circle” due to its unique shape and traffic flow? Whether you think of it as a circle or a hamburger, the city wants your input in how to improve it. The city is developing a new vision for both the intersection and the surrounding area and identifying design alternatives for this key intersection, one of two eastern gateways into Fairfax City. Transportation departments in Virginia and elsewhere began removing and replacing hamburger intersections in the 1970s and ‘80s. Fairfax Circle is one of the last ones still in use in the Commonwealth.

The primary goals of this project are to develop a vision for the intersection as well as design alternatives that meet the future needs of the Fairfax Circle Activity Center – the area around the intersection earmarked for future commercial and residential development. Once this first step – identifying a vision and feasible alternatives - is complete, future steps will include selecting and implementing the preferred alternative.

We are reaching out to residents, business owners, and commuters for ideas that improve mobility and safety for all users, manage traffic congestion, create a welcoming entrance to the city, and support economic development within the Fairfax Circle Activity Center.

The visioning project is anticipated to take about six months, and actual improvements to the intersection would occur several years later. The project will be conducted with technical assistance from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Land-Use Connections (TLC) Program.

We encourage you to share your comments and questions below.

Consultation has concluded.

  • Share A major problem is the long lines that form as folks are waiting to get in to Chick'fil. They block traffic in the right eastbound lane back into the circle. Someone needs to require better access and planning for drive thru traffic using the frontage road. on Facebook Share A major problem is the long lines that form as folks are waiting to get in to Chick'fil. They block traffic in the right eastbound lane back into the circle. Someone needs to require better access and planning for drive thru traffic using the frontage road. on Twitter Share A major problem is the long lines that form as folks are waiting to get in to Chick'fil. They block traffic in the right eastbound lane back into the circle. Someone needs to require better access and planning for drive thru traffic using the frontage road. on Linkedin Email A major problem is the long lines that form as folks are waiting to get in to Chick'fil. They block traffic in the right eastbound lane back into the circle. Someone needs to require better access and planning for drive thru traffic using the frontage road. link

    A major problem is the long lines that form as folks are waiting to get in to Chick'fil. They block traffic in the right eastbound lane back into the circle. Someone needs to require better access and planning for drive thru traffic using the frontage road.

    Karla asked about 3 years ago

    The conceptual planning completed for Fairfax Circle earlier this year identified alternative designs for the intersection that improve safety while continuing to provide capacity for traffic traveling through this area of the city. The proposed designs eliminate the awkward transition of the vehicle lanes from the current circle into eastbound Fairfax Boulevard in the area near Chick Fil-a. Visibility is also improved and driver confusion is minimized by the design. These alternatives are in the conceptual stage at this point and will be considered as part of the Fairfax Circle Activity Center Small Area Plan, which will proceed over the next couple of years with substantial community input. Regarding the existing service drive in front of the Chick Fil-a, that service drive has recently been reconfigured to help improve its operation. 

    Thanks for your question. Please continue to stay engaged with this project. 

  • Share What is the status of the plans for Fairfax Boulevard that came from intensive public involvement in March, 2007? on Facebook Share What is the status of the plans for Fairfax Boulevard that came from intensive public involvement in March, 2007? on Twitter Share What is the status of the plans for Fairfax Boulevard that came from intensive public involvement in March, 2007? on Linkedin Email What is the status of the plans for Fairfax Boulevard that came from intensive public involvement in March, 2007? link

    What is the status of the plans for Fairfax Boulevard that came from intensive public involvement in March, 2007?

    Victor asked over 3 years ago

    The result of the extensive public involvement in the 2007 study on Fairfax Boulevard was the Fairfax Boulevard Masterplan(External link). This plan was approved by city council, but not adopted. Instead, the recommendations were incorporated into the City of Fairfax Comprehensive Plan(External link) in 2012, which was later updated in 2019. 

    The 2007 study was a very intensive but short term effort that resulted in high level vision for redevelopment and investment along the Fairfax Boulevard corridor. Many of the recommendations require more detailed study before they can be implemented. One of those more detailed studies is the New Vision for Fairfax Circle study currently under way. We also expect to begin work on a more detailed Small Area Plan(External link) for the Fairfax Circle area in the next year or so.