Mount Vernon Talks: Pedestrian Safety

It's no secret: Mount Vernon residents are concerned about pedestrian safety on Route 1. 

We asked residents to tell us what they think of pedestrian safety in Mount Vernon. One thing was unanimous: Route 1 is a dangerous road to travel on, by foot or by car. Just last week, Police said the pedestrian did not cross at a marked crosswalk. 

Residents are concerned about the lack of marked crosswalks and about the timing of lights and walk signals.

Said resident Katherine Stentzel of the intersection of Richmond Highway and the Sacramento Plaza, "When the light turns green, at the same time people are crossing when the light tells you to take a left." 

Lack of sidewalks was also an issue for residents expressing concern about pedestrian safety, as well as traffic congestion on Route 1. 

Said Jay, "I guess my only thing about Route 1 is the congestion traffic-wise. It's very hard for pedestrians. The entire area is very uncontrolled." 

Added Stentzel, "Perhaps when all the people in Fort Belvoir move in, they'll make changes for pedestrians as well as heavy traffic." 

Residents can make a request for a marked crosswalk through VDOT. Click here for more information.