Pedestrian Fatality Leads to Call for Improvements

A pedestrian’s death Tuesday night was the eighth since January 2008, according to Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi. In a statement Wednesday, Principi noted upcoming plans to improve safety in the area of the crash site and across the Woodbridge district.

“This is happening way too often,” says Supervisor Principi. “This is yet another example of why we are on a mission to transform Woodbridge into a walkable community.”

Amelu G. Felix, 51, of Woodbridge, was struck by a car while crossing the street at 6:58 p.m. in the 13400 block of Jefferson Davis Highway. Police have said Felix was not crossing at a crosswalk and that her dark clothing and the weather were likely factors in the wreck.

Principi said the area of the crash has no streetlights or crosswalks. He said he’ll be working with county transportation staff and police to see if anything can be done to improve crossing safety at the particular location.

He also noted upcoming construction plans in the district to improve pedestrian safety, including the widening of Route 1, to be completed in 2018. This will provide a sidewalk from the VRE station to Gordon Boulevard, where there will be a crosswalk.

The sidewalk and trail improvements funded in the district include:

• Route 1 between Annapolis Way and Mary’s Way (both sides of the road)
• Route 1 between Featherstone Road and Neabsco Mills Road (both sides of the road)
• Route 1 at Powell’s Creek
• Dale/Rippon Boulevard from Neabsco Mills Road across Route 1
• Opitz Boulevard from Mason Creek Drive to Potomac Library
• Blackburn Road from Rippon Blvd and the Cow Branch Creek bridge
• Blackburn Road from Reddy Drive to Featherstone Road

“We want to eliminate the ’sidewalks to nowhere’ and increase safety so families are better connected to schools, churches, parks, shopping, and other amenities,” said Principi.