The Mystery of the Missing Sod

A few weeks ago, the medians along Route 1 just east of Del Ray were fitted with new sod. Then, just as quickly, a large swath of the sod was removed, leaving a naked strip of dirt and many commuters and nearby residents confused as to what happened.

The swift removal of the sod was not a mistake; Route 1 was expanded over the summer to make way for the construction of a bus rapid transitway and sod was temporarily placed in the former northbound lanes to control erosion and sediment. The sod was then removed to make way for construction of the .

Rich Baier, director of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, says it was a decision between covering the median with sod or straw.

City departments are utilizing and repurposing some of the removed sod as needed throughout Alexandria.

The BRT in Alexandria will consist of exclusive bus lanes in the median of Route 1 between Potomac Avenue and E. Glebe Road. The transitway will eventually connect the Braddock Road and Pentagon City Metro stations and will be constructed in concert with Arlington County.

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