Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements
April 24, 2025, UPDATE: Utility relocation will begin in June. Trees at Fairfax High School have been marked for removal.
Blenheim Boulevard is a special place within Fairfax City. There are a variety of land uses along the corridor including three schools, the city’s public library, Sherwood Community Center, the police station, Van Dyck Park, churches, Historic Blenheim, and multiple residential neighborhoods. Commercial districts anchor both ends of the boulevard at Fairfax Circle and Old Town Fairfax.
The corridor is already multimodal in nature, which means there are multiple ways people use to get around, including driving, CUE Bus, walking, biking, and riding scooters. However, there is tremendous opportunity to improve the look, feel, safety, and function of the entire corridor.
In 2015, the city completed a conceptual plan for Blenheim Boulevard (formerly known as Old Lee Highway). Conceptual planning took about six months and included extensive public involvement. The result was a recommended concept for the corridor that includes separated bicycle lanes, upgraded pedestrian and transit amenities, and improved lighting, landscaping, and buffering. On Nov. 9, 2021, City Council adopted a resolution(External link) to approve the major design features of the project.
The most recent plans were presented to City Council during a public hearing on June 13, 2023. View the presentation(External link).
Cost and Funding
The estimated project cost is $30.4 million. Funding sources include state revenue sharing ($10 million), regional Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding ($13 million), and the city’s commercial and industrial tax ($2 million) – a fund dedicated to increasing transportation capacity. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in 2026.