County seeks land rights for pedestrian improvements at Columbia Pike/Gallows Road
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| This intersection needs to be made safer for pedestrians. |
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 23 authorized a public hearing to consider the acquisition of land rights from three property owners to facilitate the construction of pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Gallows Road in Annandale. The hearing would be take place Feb. 20, 4:30 p.m., at the Fairfax County Government Center.
The project would consist of a new sidewalk and other improvements within the existing intersection island, seven curb ramps that would comply with the American with Disabilities Act, and crosswalk striping across Columbia Pike to the island and across Gallows Road.
The affected property owners are the Annandale Shopping Center, the Annandale United Methodist Church, and homeowners Dereck and Anna Moeller of 6907 Lillie May Way.
Negotiations are under way with the property owners, states the recommendation from county staff. “However, because resolution of these acquisitions is not imminent, it may be necessary for the board to utilize quick-take eminent domain powers” to keep the project on schedule. Under state law, the use of eminent domain requires a public hearing.
4 responses to “County seeks land rights for pedestrian improvements at Columbia Pike/Gallows Road”
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They should fix the lack of decent crosswalks/signals at Columbia Pike and John Marr as well.
How about adding pedestrian-crossing signals to the traffic lights at both intersections?
They should consider a light at Evergreen and Col Pike to facilitate traffic wanting to go into the shopping center (Aldis/navy fed, etc) or turn left and go into Annandale. Also, sufficient pedestrian crosswalks are safety issues. I remember seeing a pedestrian struck and died at Rose Lane and Col Pike a decade ago with no nearby crosswalk to use.
Yeah that place is a deathtrap, definitely needs improvements. All of Columbia Pike in that stretch needs some walking lights. As places strive to be more walkable, you need at least need walking lights instead of guessing and having to run.