Some Proposed Curb Extensions Near Alexandria Schools Remove Parking Spaces

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Curb extensions are being considered near four Alexandria public schools to boost safety for students walking and biking to school, but several would remove parking spaces.

Curb extensions were one of the recommendations from Safe Routes to School walk audits done in 2017. The city is seeking to add eight curb extensions at intersections near four schools — Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School, Mount Vernon Community School, Patrick Henry K-8 School, and Samuel Tucker Elementary School.

According to the city, curb extensions shorten crossing distances and increase pedestrian visibility by extending sidewalks at corners or pedestrian crossings.

Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School's curb extensions are proposed at Princess and N. West Streets. The extensions are sought at the four corners of the intersection, and ADA ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing signs would also be added.

Mount Vernon Community School's curb extensions would happen at four intersections on Commonwealth Avenue — Uhler Avenue, Mount Ida Avenue, Groves Avenue and Forrest Street. The curb extensions would boost crossings west of Commonwealth Avenue to the school, Mount Vernon Recreation Center and playgrounds, the James M. Duncan Branch Library, and businesses along Mount Vernon Avenue.

According to the city, the proposed curb extensions would remove 17 parking spaces along Commonwealth Avenue and side streets. In addition, some trees may be removed and replaced with other trees nearby. The project would also add ADA ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian refuges in the median, and crossing signs as needed.

Near Patrick Henry K-8 School, curb extensions are proposed on the four corners of the Taney Avenue and N. Jordan Street intersection. The curb extensions would add ADA ramps and high-visibility crosswalks. According to the city, one on-street parking space on westbound Taney Avenue east of N. Jordan Street would be removed for the project.

Samuel Tucker Elementary School's curb extensions are planned at a mid-block crossing on Cameron Station Boulevard to the west of the bus loop entrance. ADA ramps, a high-visibility crosswalk, and crossing signs would be added. Two on-street parking spaces east of the crossing would be removed for the project.

The city is putting together a grant application to fund the curb extensions, with funding anticipated to be available for design in 2024 and construction in 2025 to 2026.

Residents can share input on the curb extension projects in an online survey until Aug. 27.