Engineering plan outlines concept for Route 7 bus rapid transit

A conceptual plan for the Route 7 bus rapid transit system. [Envision Route 7]

A bus rapid transit (BRT) system along Route 7 – between the Mark Center in Alexandria and Tysons – has moved a tiny bit closer to reality as the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission formally accepted an engineering report on Nov. 14.

The report lays out the location of 18 stations along the 10.5-mile route, shows where the buses would have their own lanes, and where the stations would be in the middle of the street or at the curb.

Self-driving vehicle selected for Merrifield shuttle

The EZ10 self-driving shuttle

Dominion Energy selected the French company, EasyMile, for the autonomous electric shuttle pilot project planned for the Merrifield area, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority announced.

EasyMile’s EZ10 self-driving vehicle will shuttle passengers between the Dunn Loring Metro station and the Mosaic District.

Clothing drive seeks socks and pajamas

Help keep homeless adults and needy children warm this winter: Annandale realtor Vivianne Couts is again asking the public to donate socks for the homeless and has added a Jammies for Juniors drive to collect pajamas for kids.

New, packaged socks for adults or kids and PJs for kids can be brought to PR Performance at 4111 John Marr Drive, Annandale, or Coldwell Banker at 4000 Legato Road, Fairfax. Socks can also be purchased on Amazon and shipped directly to Couts.

Last year, people donated 2,000 pairs of socks. This year’s goal is 2,500. Socks are the most needed and least donated item of clothing, Couts says. “Let’s come together as a community this holiday season and bring some comfort and joy to those in need.”

I-395 tolls take effect Nov. 17

The express lanes on Interstate 395 – running for eight miles from near Edsall Road to the entrance of the 14th Street Bridge – will take effect on Sunday night, Nov. 17. The two reversible HOV lanes are becoming three HOV or toll lanes in each direction.

To drive on the express lanes, you’ll need E-ZPass or E-ZPass Flex transponder. There will be dynamic pricing, with the toll amount based on traffic congestion.

Cleanup project draws dozens of volunteers to Americana Drive

Mike and Sheila Bishop

About 30 volunteers spent some time on their Veterans’ Day holiday picking up litter and construction debris along Americana Drive in Annandale.

Among the items found: several rugs, big pieces of concrete, lots of water bottles, and an uncashed check for $300, reports volunteer Sheila Bishop. Philip Latasa, of Friends of Accotink Creek, found a big box full of bathroom tiles and an unopened can of Washington Nationals beer.

Crime report includes peeping, robbery

Habteselasse [FCPD]

Recent crimes reported in the Mason/Annandale area reported by the Fairfax County Police Department include burglary, peeping, and robbery.

The resident of a home on the 4100 block of Medford Drive in Annandale heard the family dog growling at about 8:50 p.m. on Nov. 19 and went to investigate.

She saw her bedroom window open and a hand reaching through holding the curtain back. She called out to the suspect and the hand disappeared. She went outside and found the suspect still there.

Veterans Day ceremony features World War II vet

Speakers at a Veterans Day ceremony in Annandale include (from the left): World War 11 veteran George Merz, Maj. Ziad Fakoury, and Helen Patton. Merz is holding Gen. Patton's riding crop.

About three dozen members of American Legion Bicentennial Post 1976 gathered at the Annandale cannon Monday to pay tribute to the nation’s veterans on Nov. 11.

An honored guest – George Merz, age 94, who served in the military police during D-Day in World War II – took part in the Veterans Day ceremony, along with veterans who served in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.