RESTON, VA — Residents along part of Fairway Drive in Reston are voting on a Fairfax County traffic-calming proposal that would add three speed humps to the west end of the road.
The proposal, part of Fairfax County’s Residential Traffic Administration Program, calls for speed humps with fire and rescue cutouts on Fairway Drive west of Hook Road.
A county map posted on the Fairway Drive Safety task force website shows three proposed traffic-calming devices near Reston Association property, Orchard Green Cluster Association property, Townes at Waterford Cluster Association property and 11500 Fairway Drive.
The ballot period began in April and ends June 13, according to Steve Sarandos, who heads up the task force.
Sarandos said the task force has been focused on Fairway Drive traffic concerns for about seven years. Two speed humps already have been installed on the east end of Fairway Drive.
“They definitely significantly decreased the speeding,” Sarandos said of the existing speed humps, citing a follow-up study.
The west-end proposal requires approval from more than 50 percent of all residences in the ballot area, not just a majority of returned ballots, Sarandos said. There are 242 residences in the ballot area, meaning ballots that are not returned effectively count against the proposal.
“It’s a steep climb,” Sarandos said.
A 2024 speed study found that 82 percent of vehicles were speeding on Fairway Drive during a 24-hour period, Sarandos said. In total, 47 vehicles were recorded traveling between 55 and 75 mph.
“That’s pretty much guaranteed to kill you,” Sarandos said of speeds in that range.
Fairway Drive runs through a residential area that includes a ball field and places where residents walk dogs and children play, Sarandos said.
“There’s a lot of people down there,” he said.
The county proposal is for speed humps, not speed bumps. Fairway Drive Safety materials describe the proposed humps as 3 inches high and 12 feet wide, with cutouts intended to allow fire and rescue vehicles to pass through without slowing down.
Sarandos said some residents oppose speed humps, while others support traffic calming but have questioned whether other approaches could be used. He said the task force previously considered “chokers,” or road-narrowing devices, but affected property owners pushed for speed humps instead.
“They’re right,” Sarandos said. “Just having something physical in the way — big difference.”
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Sarandos said speed display signs were sought but are not available through the county program being used for the Fairway Drive proposal.
Some homeowners associations have supported the effort financially or informally, while others have tried to remain neutral. Sarandos said at least one cluster association has opposed the proposal.
The task force has used flyers, signs and door-knocking to encourage residents to return ballots, Sarandos said. He said the county requires the task force to pay for items such as printing and mailing ballots.
“The signs make a big difference. The flyers make a big difference,” Sarandos said. “Stuff costs.”
One concern is that residents who support the proposal may fail to send in their ballots.
“If they want it and they don’t send it in, it’s gonna be no,” Sarandos said.
If the proposal fails, the county requires a two-year wait before another attempt through the program, according to Sarandos.
“There’s a great potential that nothing will happen, even though we know this is very dangerous," he said.
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