Final plan for Braddock Road improvements released
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| Braddock Road, approaching the beltway. |
The final plan for the Braddock Road Improvement Project
has been announced by Braddock Supervisor John Cook.
has been announced by Braddock Supervisor John Cook.
The plan calls for improvements at 17 intersections between Ravensworth Road and Guinea Road and 10-foot wide shared-use paths – for bicyclists and pedestrians – on both sides of the heavily used corridor.
The final plan culminates more than two years of study by a
citizen task force, as well as input from the Fairfax County Department of
Transportation, consultants hired by the county, and VDOT.
citizen task force, as well as input from the Fairfax County Department of
Transportation, consultants hired by the county, and VDOT.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
The county will not build a transit center or park-and-ride lot, Cook states in a description of the proposal released last week. Those
options had been considered by the task force for the Kings Park Shopping
Center but faced widespread opposition from task force members and the broader
community.
options had been considered by the task force for the Kings Park Shopping
Center but faced widespread opposition from task force members and the broader
community.
A pedestrian-controlled HAWK (high-intensity
activated crosswalk) signal will be constructed at the intersection of Grantham
Street and Burke Lake Road, with the entrance to the Kings Park Shopping Center
at that spot becoming right-in, right-out only.
activated crosswalk) signal will be constructed at the intersection of Grantham
Street and Burke Lake Road, with the entrance to the Kings Park Shopping Center
at that spot becoming right-in, right-out only.
Another HAWK beacon will be constructed on Braddock Road between Bradfield Drive and King David Boulevard/Dunleigh Drive.
The purpose of a HAWK beacon is to allow protected
pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed, the report states. HAWK
signals provide an alternative where a standard three-color traffic
signal is prohibited.
pedestrian crossings, stopping road traffic only as needed, the report states. HAWK
signals provide an alternative where a standard three-color traffic
signal is prohibited.
A pedestrian overpass will be constructed just west of Burke
Lake Road across Braddock Road, with the possibility of additional overpasses added later.
Lake Road across Braddock Road, with the possibility of additional overpasses added later.
Cook said he initially believed commuter parking was “a potential
future community asset worthy of serious study.” But following the study, “it is
clear the community does not want it, and I therefore will not impose it,” he said. “If in
the future the community wishes to consider commuter parking options, the
community can initiate a review at such time.”
future community asset worthy of serious study.” But following the study, “it is
clear the community does not want it, and I therefore will not impose it,” he said. “If in
the future the community wishes to consider commuter parking options, the
community can initiate a review at such time.”
“While the citizen task force had considered a
recommendation to delay a final decision on a park-and-ride lot at the Kings
Park Shopping Center until after construction of road improvements, I have
opted to make the decision not to construct now,” Cook said. “Any delay in such
decision would have resulted in endless questions about what the ultimate
decision was going to be, and the ongoing discussion would be a distraction
from the important work of getting done what the community has agreed to
construct.”
recommendation to delay a final decision on a park-and-ride lot at the Kings
Park Shopping Center until after construction of road improvements, I have
opted to make the decision not to construct now,” Cook said. “Any delay in such
decision would have resulted in endless questions about what the ultimate
decision was going to be, and the ongoing discussion would be a distraction
from the important work of getting done what the community has agreed to
construct.”
The Braddock Road Improvement Project in an outgrowth of a 2006 proposal by a citizen area plan review task force for commuter parking
at the Kings Park Shopping Center feeding into new HOV-bus lanes proposed for Braddock Road.
at the Kings Park Shopping Center feeding into new HOV-bus lanes proposed for Braddock Road.
When funding for that project became available as a result
of the 2013 state transportation bill, Cook proposed a new citizen task force be
created to work with FCDOT staff and consultants on a new in-depth study of the
corridor.
of the 2013 state transportation bill, Cook proposed a new citizen task force be
created to work with FCDOT staff and consultants on a new in-depth study of the
corridor.
Engineering and traffic studies found HOV-bus lanes
would not be effective in reducing travel time, so the task force focused on intersections and trail connections,
with the goals of improving traffic flow and making the corridor safer for bicyclists
and pedestrians.
would not be effective in reducing travel time, so the task force focused on intersections and trail connections,
with the goals of improving traffic flow and making the corridor safer for bicyclists
and pedestrians.
The next stage of this project will be to move into final
engineering design. Six workshops will be held this fall for community residents
to discuss the improvements at specific sections of Braddock Road:
engineering design. Six workshops will be held this fall for community residents
to discuss the improvements at specific sections of Braddock Road:
Sept. 18 – Guinea Road to Dunleigh-King David – Braddock
Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, 7:30 p.m.
Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – Wakefield Chapel to Danbury Forest – Braddock Hall,
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 – Beltway area – Braddock Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 – Burke Lake intersection – Kings Park Library, 9000
Burke Lake Road, Burke, 7:30 p.m.
Burke Lake Road, Burke, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 16 – Ravensworth Road intersection – Ravensworth Baptist
Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, 7:30 p.m.
Church, 5100 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 11 – Burke Lake intersection, second meeting – Kings
Park Library, 7:30 p.m.
Park Library, 7:30 p.m.
Here’s a summary of the specific recommendations for
each intersection:
each intersection:
·
Braddock Road at Guinea Road – Due to the Braddock Road realignment, the entire
intersection would shift to the south. The northbound approach would be converted
to left-turn, through-right, and right-turn lanes, although there would be no
additional pavement. The two-lane northbound section would be extended to
Burnetta Drive. A right-turn lane would be added to westbound Braddock Road
turning onto northbound Guinea Road
Braddock Road at Guinea Road – Due to the Braddock Road realignment, the entire
intersection would shift to the south. The northbound approach would be converted
to left-turn, through-right, and right-turn lanes, although there would be no
additional pavement. The two-lane northbound section would be extended to
Burnetta Drive. A right-turn lane would be added to westbound Braddock Road
turning onto northbound Guinea Road
·
Braddock Road at Bradfield Drive – The intersection would be restricted to
right in/right out in both directions with a channelized Braddock Road westbound
left-turn lane to Bradfield southbound
Braddock Road at Bradfield Drive – The intersection would be restricted to
right in/right out in both directions with a channelized Braddock Road westbound
left-turn lane to Bradfield southbound
·
Braddock Road at Dunleigh Drive/King David Boulevard – Within the vicinity of
the intersection, the median would be widened to 30 feet to provide a safe area
for left-turning vehicles from the side streets to stop in the median area.
Braddock Road at Dunleigh Drive/King David Boulevard – Within the vicinity of
the intersection, the median would be widened to 30 feet to provide a safe area
for left-turning vehicles from the side streets to stop in the median area.
·
Braddock Road at Red Fox Drive – The western connection at
Red Fox Drive would be converted to right in/right out with a channelized
Braddock Road eastbound left-turn lane to Red Fox Drive northbound.
Braddock Road at Red Fox Drive – The western connection at
Red Fox Drive would be converted to right in/right out with a channelized
Braddock Road eastbound left-turn lane to Red Fox Drive northbound.
·
Braddock Road at Rolling Road – A right-turn lane would be added along Rolling
Road northbound. The existing right/left share lane along Rolling Road
Northbound would be converted to left only.
Braddock Road at Rolling Road – A right-turn lane would be added along Rolling
Road northbound. The existing right/left share lane along Rolling Road
Northbound would be converted to left only.
·
Burke Lake Road at Grantham Street – Grantham Street would be restricted to
right in/right out. The shopping center drive would be restricted to right
in/right out with a left in from Burke Lake Road.
Burke Lake Road at Grantham Street – Grantham Street would be restricted to
right in/right out. The shopping center drive would be restricted to right
in/right out with a left in from Burke Lake Road.
·
Braddock Road at Burke Lake Road – The northbound approach would be converted
to triple right-turn only. Northbound right turn on red would be prohibited.
The dual westbound left-turn lanes on Braddock Road would be extended.
Braddock Road at Burke Lake Road – The northbound approach would be converted
to triple right-turn only. Northbound right turn on red would be prohibited.
The dual westbound left-turn lanes on Braddock Road would be extended.
·
Braddock Road at Kings Park Drive – Kings Park Drive would be restricted to right
in/right out with an additional median on Braddock Road, thereby permitting an
extended westbound left-turn lane approaching Burke Lake Road. Access to Parkwood
Baptist Church would be restricted to right in/right out with an additional
median on Braddock Road.
Braddock Road at Kings Park Drive – Kings Park Drive would be restricted to right
in/right out with an additional median on Braddock Road, thereby permitting an
extended westbound left-turn lane approaching Burke Lake Road. Access to Parkwood
Baptist Church would be restricted to right in/right out with an additional
median on Braddock Road.
·
Braddock Road at Stone Haven Drive – Stone Haven Drive would be restricted to
right in/right out with a channelized Braddock Road eastbound left-turn lane to
northbound Stone Haven.
Braddock Road at Stone Haven Drive – Stone Haven Drive would be restricted to
right in/right out with a channelized Braddock Road eastbound left-turn lane to
northbound Stone Haven.
·
Braddock Road at Southampton Drive – A right-turn lane would be added on
Southampton northbound turning onto eastbound Braddock Road.
Braddock Road at Southampton Drive – A right-turn lane would be added on
Southampton northbound turning onto eastbound Braddock Road.
·
Braddock Road at Danbury Forest Drive/Wakefield Chapel Road – Danbury Forest
Drive would be realigned to meet Wakefield Chapel Road. The eastbound and westbound
left-turn lanes on Braddock would be converted to dual left-turn lanes.
A second travel lane along
Wakefield Chapel northbound would be extended to Stahlway Lane. Danbury Forest
Drive would become a four-lane roadway.
Braddock Road at Danbury Forest Drive/Wakefield Chapel Road – Danbury Forest
Drive would be realigned to meet Wakefield Chapel Road. The eastbound and westbound
left-turn lanes on Braddock would be converted to dual left-turn lanes.
A second travel lane along
Wakefield Chapel northbound would be extended to Stahlway Lane. Danbury Forest
Drive would become a four-lane roadway.
·
Braddock Road at Glen Park Road – Glen Park would be restricted to right
in/right out with an additional median on Braddock Road.
Braddock Road at Glen Park Road – Glen Park would be restricted to right
in/right out with an additional median on Braddock Road.
·
Braddock Road at Inverchapel Road – Inverchapel would be restricted to right
in/right out with a channelized Braddock Road westbound left-turn lane to
Inverchapel Road southbound.
Braddock Road at Inverchapel Road – Inverchapel would be restricted to right
in/right out with a channelized Braddock Road westbound left-turn lane to
Inverchapel Road southbound.
·
Braddock Road at Queensbury Avenue – No changes are proposed.
Braddock Road at Queensbury Avenue – No changes are proposed.
"Improvements," like when they "improved" Braddock Road at the Beltway by adding a new light for the Lexus lanes.
With these new "improvements," we are going to have to allow an extra fifteen minutes to get anywhere along Braddock Road during rush hour.
Right. Why must we live with perpetual, unceasing traffic "improvements?" If the area had more real manufacturing jobs, we would not need these public works projects in order to provide opportunities to the medium/low-skilled labor workforce.
Why is there no mention in the summary of the Ravensworth/Braddock intersection???