New traffic signals on Columbia Pike
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| The new signals are covered up. |
Two traffic signals on Columbia Pike are being upgraded. One is at John Marr Drive/Chatelain Road in central Annandale. The other is at Lacy Boulevard/Maple Court in Bailey’s Crossroads.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is expected to complete both signals in late winter 2022, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross reports.
VDOT is replacing the span wire configuration with two twin signal poles with mast arms, high visibility backplates for all signal heads, and new flashing yellow arrow signals on Columbia Pike for protected-permissive left turns.
The flashing yellow lights allow drivers to make a left turn if there is no oncoming traffic. Drivers will no longer have to wait for a green light or green arrow to turn left but must yield to traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
By not requiring drivers to wait for a green light or green arrow to turn left, they should be able to move through the intersection faster, thus reducing congestion.
The project also includes ADA-compliant curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, and audible pedestrian signals with appropriate locator and crossing tones for all four approaches at the intersections.
FINALLY a crosswalk and walking signs here! There was never a good time to cross during normal hours and you’d have to run across a 4 lane road. This was sorely needed a long time ago.
Well done Penny, we’re really catching up with our neighbors in Arlington, FC, and Fairfax county. Watch out! Another self storage place might just do it!
With our housing prices at new record highs, surpassing what Arlington was 10 years ago, I expect many more changes to be made and get on the level of other counties with all that tax money Annandale is getting!
Penny needs to address the nightmare created by the car wash just east of Lacy Blvd. I have seen multiple traffic violations by people trying to get in/out of the car wash. I guess, as usual with Penny, someone will need to die before they will take action.