The Alexandria Brief: Thursday, December 4
Rail schedules shift as Long Bridge work ramps up; snowplows out Friday; cannabis retail questions loom
Good morning, Alexandria.
The Alexandria Brief turns one month old today. I launched this newsletter to deliver the kind of journalism Alexandria deserves — deep dives that make you smarter, coverage that doesn’t chase clicks, and reporting by a neighbor who lives with the same decisions you do. Thank you for being here from the start. I’m just getting started.
Rail commuters are adjusting to new schedules as construction ramps up on the Long Bridge Project — the largest rail investment in the region in generations. VRE changes took effect this week, with Amtrak adjustments and daily construction windows beginning Jan. 12. The disruptions will last through 2030, but the payoff includes the system’s first-ever weekend and late-night trains. Meanwhile, snowplows will be out Friday for an annual training drill — but with a 50% chance of snow in the forecast, crews may transition from practice to the real thing. And with Virginia on track for legal cannabis sales by November 2026, we’re asking: Where will Alexandria allow shops?
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ Winter Village kicks off ice skating season with ribbon cutting, holiday festivities
Clouds will build through the day Thursday with a high near 44 degrees, but that won’t dampen the holiday spirit. Light northwest winds could gust up to 21 mph, so bundle up for outdoor events. Tonight brings increasing clouds and a low of around 25 degrees.
The Winter Village at Cameron Run takes center stage as Mayor Alyia Gaskins joins the community for a ribbon-cutting and ice-skating party at 6 p.m. The Ice & Lights attraction opens at 5 p.m. for those looking to get an early start on the holiday fun. Nearby, Legacy Reserve at Old Town hosts its second annual Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m., while Gunston Hall offers a holiday wreath-making workshop at 6 p.m.
Live music fills venues across the city, with Take 6 bringing their holiday show “Spread Love at The Holidays” to The Birchmere at 7:30 p.m. Elsewhere, Mike Kelley & Friends perform at 219 Restaurant, and trivia nights are on tap at Aslin ALX, Hops N Shine, and Lost Boy Cider. The Alexandria School Board meets at 6 p.m. to discuss its police partnership, facility naming, and academic calendars, while the Housing Affordability Advisory Committee convenes at 7 p.m.
On this day in 1971, the T.C. Williams football team won the state championship, capping an undefeated season later immortalized in “Remember the Titans.”
2️⃣ Rail commuters face five years of schedule changes as Long Bridge work begins
Rail commuters traveling through Alexandria are facing schedule changes as construction ramps up on the Long Bridge Project, the largest rail investment in the region in generations. Virginia Railway Express schedule adjustments took effect Dec. 1, with additional changes to Amtrak Virginia service beginning Jan. 12. The changes will last through 2030.
Starting Jan. 12, construction crews will work during a five-hour window each morning with no scheduled through-traffic on Long Bridge. Some VRE trains will terminate at Alexandria Union Station rather than continuing to Washington, and Amtrak Virginia will remove two round-trip trains. When complete, the projects will enable expanded VRE service, including the system’s first-ever weekend and late-night trains.
3️⃣ City snowplow drill Friday doubles as a reminder to prep for winter weather
If you see snowplows on Alexandria streets Friday morning, don’t worry, it’s a drill. The city runs an annual practice to test equipment and train crews before real snow arrives. But the timing could be fortuitous: The National Weather Service is forecasting a 50% chance of snow Friday, with possible freezing rain Friday night.
Before winter weather hits, now is a good time to brush up on sidewalk clearing rules, snow emergency routes where parked cars can be towed, and how to track plows in your neighborhood using the city’s SnowReport tool.
4️⃣ With cannabis sales 11 months away, Alexandria has key decisions to make
Virginia is on track to launch legal cannabis retail sales by November 2026. Still, Alexandria has not publicly indicated where dispensaries could be located, whether it will levy a local tax, or how it will approach enforcement. A state commission unveiled its legislative blueprint Tuesday, eliminating local opt-outs and giving localities control over zoning and the option to levy a cannabis tax of up to 3.5%.
Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has pledged to sign retail cannabis legislation, a sharp reversal from outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Stores would not be permitted within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, hospitals, and other facilities — setbacks that could significantly limit viable locations in a dense city like Alexandria. The Alexandria Brief has requested comment from the city on its plans.
5️⃣ Traffic board to consider crosswalk improvements, new turn restrictions after October crash
The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board meets Monday evening with a docket focused on pedestrian safety. Staff is recommending new crosswalks near Mount Vernon Community School in Del Ray — including a diagonal crossing at Commonwealth and Mount Ida avenues — after data showed high demand and pedestrians crossing without marked crosswalks during school arrival and dismissal.
Following an October crash at the five-way intersection of Russell Road, Monroe Avenue, and High Street that injured a woman and her child, staff is also recommending “no turn on red” restrictions at all approaches. The board will also consider a framework for curbside EV charging and relocating the Market Square Capital Bikeshare station during the City Hall renovation.
Extra Extra!
Alexandria police are asking for help locating 29-year-old Hieu Ngo, who was last seen Nov. 26 near the 4800 block of Eisenhower Avenue. Ngo is 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information should call 703-746-4444. (Alexandria Police Department)
Fairfax County police are searching for 78-year-old Quang Hang, who has been missing since Monday afternoon. Hang, who has memory issues and needs blood pressure medication, was last seen on the George Washington Parkway near Slaters Lane in Alexandria at 4:50 p.m. Monday, driving a red Toyota Camry with Virginia plate KGN-6811. Anyone with information should call (571) 535-4540. (WUSA9)
Cameron Station residents say their trash company collected bins without warning amid a dispute with the HOA, which recently ended its contract in favor of a new hauler beginning next year. Residents say management has indicated the new company may be able to begin service sooner than planned. (DC News Now)
Two Alexandria brothers, Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, were arrested on Wednesday on federal charges for allegedly conspiring to delete 96 government databases after being fired from their jobs as federal contractors. Prosecutors say the databases contained Freedom of Information Act records and sensitive investigative files. (U.S. Department of Justice)
D.C.’s Floriana, one of the oldest Italian restaurants in the District, is expanding to Old Town Alexandria. The Northern Italian restaurant will open in the former Virginia’s Darling space at 277 S. Washington St. as early as June, with seating for up to 160 and a menu featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Washington Business Journal)
An accessible one-bedroom affordable rental unit is available at The Tuscany for $1,692 plus utilities; minimum income is $60,912. Contact 703-212-6959 for more information or to apply. (City of Alexandria Office of Housing)
One lane of E. Abingdon Drive near 1201 will be closed Dec. 8-11 to accommodate a sewer pipe repair project. (City of Alexandria)
Construction is set to begin on a drainage project at historic Douglass Cemetery; the city will hold a pre-construction meeting on Dec. 16. (The Alexandria Brief)
Alexandria-area home prices are forecast to rise 5.1% in 2026, more than double the national rate, adding pressure as the city prepares its plan to preserve dwindling affordable housing stock. (The Alexandria Brief)
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