University Drive

Summary

University Drive is a key corridor in the City of Fairfax, appearing in multiple overlapping municipal matters. Most prominently, the University Drive Bicycle Lanes Project proposes dedicated bike lanes along the segment between South Street and Layton Hall Drive; a public hearing on the project was held February 25, 2025, where speakers expressed general support but some concerns about sharrows, with no council action taken at that time. By July 2026, staff reported that construction was imminent pending VDOT authorization, and on September 8, 2026, the City Council unanimously approved a construction contract of $725,551 to Arthur Construction Co., Inc. for the project as part of the consent agenda (contingent upon VDOT approval). At the same September 8, 2026 meeting, the council also unanimously approved cancellation of the separate University Drive Intersection Improvements Project (VDOT UPC 121747) via the consent agenda. Separately, University Drive is referenced as the western terminus of a proposed east-west road connection associated with a mixed-use development at 4085, 4101, and 4103 Chain Bridge Road, discussed at pre-application briefings before the Planning Commission (January 27, 2025) and City Council (February 18, 2025). University Drive also forms the western boundary of the Courthouse Plaza redevelopment site (10300 Willard Way / 3922 Blenheim Boulevard), where a multi-story mixed-use proposal — including a residential building (Building C) fronting University Drive with 164 dwelling units — was the subject of a Council work session in July 2026.

Open questions & options on the table

• VDOT authorization for the University Drive Bike Lanes construction contract awarded September 8, 2026 is listed as a contingency — confirmation of VDOT approval and construction commencement status is not yet recorded.
• The Courthouse Plaza redevelopment proposal (which fronts University Drive) was in the post-submission/work session phase as of July 2026; no final council action on that application has been recorded.
• The proposed east-west road connection with University Drive as its western terminus, associated with the Chain Bridge Road mixed-use development, remains at the pre-application stage with no formal action recorded.

What members have said

Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.

Discussion time

Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.