The streets of Shirlington are gearing up for the annual Light Up the Village event, and with it comes the predictable flurry of road closures that will test the patience of local drivers. According to a release from Arlington County's website, the celebration is slated for Thursday, December 5th from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., putting the tranquility of the neighborhood's commute in temporary disarray starting from noon on that day. Residents and visitors can expect that setup for the Light Up the Village at Shirlington will be the reason for the rerouting, as road closures begin at 12 p.m. and will last until 10 p.m.
Specifically, the Arlington County Police Department has laid out the closure plan wherein Campbell Avenue, from Harris Teeter to S. Randolph Street, will be shuttered during this window. Set-up for the festivities, beginning at approximately 12 p.m., will extend to S. Arlington Mill Drive to S. Quincy Street starting at 3:30 p.m. as well as S. Randolph Street from S. Arlington Mill Drive to the alleyway located behind businesses on Campbell Avenue's south side. During the event, the Harris Teeter parking structure on Campbell Avenue will also be inaccessible post 3:30 p.m., with the only avenue of entry being the alternate entrance behind the store.
The county anticipates significant traffic delays in the area surrounding these closures. Motorists should plan ahead for elongated commute times and may consider opting for alternate routes to avoid congestion. For those eschewing their vehicles, the county encourages utilizing various forms of multimodal transportation to reach the village lights. And for those attendees who might be contemplating street parking, they are urged to heed temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid the hassles of a ticketed or towed vehicle.
For any unfortunate drivers who find their vehicles relocated by the authorities, the county directs them to an online portal, where they can check the status of their vehicle in real-time. If the portal proves unyielding or additional help is required, individuals are instructed to call the County's non-emergency number, 703-558-2222, as recommended by the Arlington County Police Department in the statement.
