FCPS Students Will No Longer Wait For School Buses On Blake Lane

FAIRFAX, VA — When Fairfax County Public Schools reopens on Monday for the 2022-23 academic year, many students living along Blake Lane in the Oakton and Fairfax areas of the county will be waiting at new bus stops, according to an FCPS release.

FCPS made 22 bus stop changes along the Blake Lane Corridor. With the new configuration, only one route change will result in a 10-minute delay in school arrival, according to the release. As a result of these changes, no students will wait on Blake Lane going forward.

“Our community cares deeply about student safety, and we are grateful for their continued advocacy for increased precautions along the Blake Lane corridor,” said Providence District School Board member Karl Frisch, in a release. “Moving these bus stops will enhance student safety while local and state partners continue working together to mitigate speeding and other traffic concerns in the area.”

Due to roadway constraints, six stops will remain on Blake Lane. In the past, Thoreau Middle and Oakton Elementary students who lived on a pipestem had to wait along Blake Lane approximately 50 feet from the intersection because buses weren't able to turn around on the pipestem. Now, students will assemble on the side street. Once the bus driver determines that all traffic has stopped, they will signal for students to board the bus.

FCPS made these changes after the county's Office of Transportation Services and Office of Safety and Security completed their safety study evaluating school bus stops along Blake Lane. In addition, OSS will recommend that marked crosswalks be installed where side streets intersect Blake Lane as part of VDOT's safety review.

Community interest in improving pedestrian safety along the Blake Lane Corridor increased following two pedestrian-related accidents that occurred in the area on June 7 involving students walking home from school.

In the first incident, a Mosaic Elementary student was struck by a car as he was crossing Kingsbridge Drive near the Nonquitt Drive entrance to the Tudor Hall neighborhood. The boy was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Later that same day, three Oakton High School students walking along Blake Lane were struck by a BMW after it crashed into a Toyota 4Runner that was turning left onto Five Oaks Road. The SUV had just started its turn, after letting the girls cross the street, when the BMW crashed into its side at a high rate of speed.

Two of the girls died from their injuries. The third was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

On Aug. 3, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved new signage and higher traffic fines to address pedestrian safety concerns along Blake Lane.

The board approved the installation of five "Watch for Children" signs — two along Blake Lane and three on Kingsbridge Drive — and “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs on Blake Lane between Sutton Road and Route 29.

In July, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik introduced a board matter with Chairman Jeff McKay and Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn directing county staff to make recommendations for pedestrian safety measures along Blake Lane. Palchik also hosted June 23 Blake Lane safety meeting and is convening a Blake Lane Safety Community Advisory Group.

Bus Stop Adjustments

The following is a list of the bus stops along Blake Lane, including updates that will go into effect on Monday.

*** Indicates a bus stop remaining on Blake Lane (students will wait on side streets).

Luther Jackson Middle School

• Luther Jackson MS (AAP) - Blake Lane & Five Oaks Road: Stop moved to Mosaic ES
• Luther Jackson MS (AAP) - Blake Lane & Tipperary Pass: Stop moved to Tipperary Pass and Valera Court
• Luther Jackson MS (AAP) - Blake Lane & Mission Square Drive: Stop is on the Service Road

Thoreau Middle School

• Thoreau MS - Blake Lane & Five Oaks Road: Stop moved to Mosaic ES
• Thoreau MS - Blake Lane & Cyrandall Valley: Stop moved to Cyrandall Valley Road and Capperton Drive (up to 10 minutes late arrival to school)
• Thoreau MS - Blake Lane & Mission Square Drive: Stop is on the Service Road
• Thoreau MS - Blake Lane & Cyrandall Valley (Students who traverse Platten Drive and Sugar Lane): Stop moved to Sweet Mint Drive/Sugar Lane
• Thoreau MS - Blake Lane/Hibbard Street. Stop changed to Hibbard Street & Copper Court
• Thoreau MS –Student walking from Tipperary Pass to Edgelea Road: Stop changed to Tipperary Pass and Valera Court
• Thoreau MS - Late Run - Tipperary Pass & Valera Court: Stop changed to Cyrandall Valley Road/Caperton Drive
• Thoreau MS - Blake Lane & Hibbard Street: Stop changed to Hibbard Street/Copper Court
• *** Thoreau MS - 10005 through 10017 Blake Lane at pipe stem: Students will wait on the property complex until the bus arrives

Mountain View High School

• Mountain View HS - Blake Lane /Sutton: Stop changed to Vaden Drive/Saintsbury Drive

Crossfield Elementary School

• Crossfield ES - 9553 Blake Lane: Stop moved to Blake Lane Service Road

Marshall Road Elementary School

• Marshall Road ES - 9553 Blake Lane at Fairfax Circle Villa Apartments: Stop moved to Blake Lane Service Road

Mosaic Elementary School

• Mosaic ES - Blake Lane & Mission Square Drive: Stop is on the Service Road
• Mosaic ES - Blake Lane & Lindenbrook Street: Stop is on the Service Road
• Mosaic ES –Blake Lane/Tipperary Pass: Stop changed to Tipperary Pass/Valera Court
• *** Mosaic ES - Blake Lane/Oakton Crest Place: Bus will stop at the corner of Blake Lane and Oakton Crest Place and students will wait on Oakton Crest Place
• *** Mosaic ES - 9553 Blake Lane at Fairfax Circle Villa Apartments: Seventy-eight students were previously assigned walkers. Students have been assigned a bus. Students will wait in the apartment complex area until the bus arrives

Oakton Elementary School

• Oakton ES - Jermantown Road/Trevor House: Stop changed to Bushman Drive/Summit Square
• *** Oakton ES - 9926 Blake Lane (Residential stop): One student will wait in the driveway until the bus arrives
• *** Oakton ES - 10005 through 10017 Blake Lane at pipestem: Students will wait on the property complex until the bus arrives
• Oakton ES - Jermantown Road & Borge Street. Students will wait on Borge Street until the bus arrives
• Oakton ES - 2900 Jermantown Road: Students will wait on the sidewalk at the pipestem
• *** Oakton ES - Blake Lane/Palmer: Students will wait on Palmer until the bus arrives