Feedback Sought On Improvements For Northern Mount Vernon Avenue

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The City of Alexandria has developed design options for intersections along northern Mount Vernon Avenue and is seeking public feedback.

As part of the Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets Project, potential design options are being considered for four key intersections on Mount Vernon Avenue in the Arlandria-Chirilagua neighborhood. The project area is Mount Vernon Avenue between West Glebe Road and Four Mile Run Road, the main business corridor of the neighborhood.

The city has already heard community concerns about speeding traffic, confusing intersections, and difficulty crossing the street through the Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan process. The comments were considered as the city developed design options for intersections along northern Mount Vernon Avenue.

The four intersections targeted for improvements are Four Mile Run Road, Executive Avenue, Russell Road and Glebe Road.

At the Four Mile Run Road intersection, the city proposes curb extensions to reduce crossing distances and increase sidewalk space. This will also prompt vehicles to slow down to make tighter turns. Signal timing adjustments are also possible to reduce crossing wait times. No changes to parking are proposed.

At the Executive Avenue intersection, the city proposes curb extensions, signal timing adjustments and moving the southbound bus stops closer to crosswalks and adding a bus stop shelter. An additional crosswalk would be added at the curb extension to provide better access to the bus stop. One parking space would be removed with the proposed changes.

At the Russell Road intersection, one design option would remove the the right-turn "slip lane" from Mount Vernon Avenue to Russell Road. The city would add curb extensions to slow vehicle turning and add sidewalk space. Other changes include a new crosswalk, signal timing adjustments, adding space for a large bus stop or shelter and adding a scooter zone. The curb extension would remove 12 parking spaces.

The second option for the Russell Road intersection would convert the "slip lane" to a closed driveway to provide a safe pedestrian path across Russell Road. The city also proposes adding a crosswalk, curb extensions, signal timing adjustments, adding space for a large bus stop or shelter and adding a scooter zone. The curb extension would remove eight parking spaces.

At the Glebe Road intersection, one design option would reduce pedestrian crossing distances and angles while adding pedestrian refuges on Mount Vernon Avenue. Other proposed changes include signal improvements to reduce crossing wait times and curb extensions. No parking changes are proposed.

The second design option for the Glebe Road intersection changes the configuration of the road. The intersection would have a roundabout-type configuration to reduce vehicle speeds without increasing travel time. Pedestrian refuges would be added at every approach, and crossings would be only one lane at a time.

The third design option for the Glebe Road intersection would change the configuration with offset intersections. That means Glebe Road east and west of Mount Vernon Avenue would be separated with their own intersections. This would reduce pedestrian crossing distances and provide more crossing options. There could also be additional space for green space, benches or other amenities. Signal timing adjustments would be possible to improve crossing wait times. However, the city noted an additional intersection would increase the wait time for the Glebe Road bus route.

Residents can see visualizations of the design options in English or in Spanish. After viewing the design options, residents can complete an online feedback form in English or Spanish. Comments are due by June 5.

An open house will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 19 at Chick Armstrong Recreation Center. Residents can attend to learn more about the project and provide feedback.

For more information, visit the project web page.