A Car-Free Street Dream in Northern Virginia

The city of Alexandria has begun to explore the idea of transforming sections of King Street into a car-free pedestrian zone.

1 minute read

August 29, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Alexandria, Virginia

King Street in Alexandria, Virginia leads to Waterfront Park and the Potomac River. | Google Streetview

"A small section at the base of King Street in Alexandria, Virginia could become a car-free zone," reports Joanne Tang.

The proposal is still speculative, but "city staff are looking into closing some combination of the 100 block and 200 block of King Street to car traffic to make the space even more attractive and useful," according to Tang.

Tang also notes that even in the project's conceptual stage of development, the idea has provoked a windshield perspective from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

Missy Schrott reported on the project earlier in August. Schott's coverage includes a quote from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, who makes the case for a car-free street in the city: "There is very much a yearning for rethinking the way we use public space….Here, you have a space that attracts a lot of people, a lot of visitors, a lot of residents, and I think there’s a way to make that even more vital, even more attractive to the community."

Wednesday, August 28, 2019 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of viaduct under construction for California High-Speed Rail.

DOT Officially Cancels California High-Speed Rail Funding

The Trump administration has repeatedly taken aim at the LA-to-Bay Area rail project, blaming Democratic leaders for cost overruns and delays.

July 20 - Streetsblog California

Orange "Apartments Leasing" sandwich board sign on sidewalk with arrow pointing right.

Legislators Push Back Against ‘Rent-Setting’ Software

In the last six months, lawmakers in more than two dozen cities and states have made strides to stop landlords from using anti-competitive rental software to determine how much to charge for rent. Shelterforce looks at the wins and losses so far.

July 20 - Shelterforce Magazine

Orange and black heavy equipment and workers building new asphalt roadway.

DOT Awards 77% of BUILD Grants to Road Projects

Trump’s DOT is directing 87 percent of total grant dollars to states that backed the President in the last election.

July 20 - Streetsblog USA