Speed reduction pilot in the works for Mason District roads
The Board of Supervisors on June 9 greenlighted an ordinance to reduce speed limits on certain roads in each magisterial district from 25 to 20 miles per hour.
Fairfax County will launch a pilot study to test the concept in the Mason, Providence, and Dranesville Districts.
The Fairfax Department of Transportation is considering the following roads for the 20-mph pilot study in Seven Corners and Bailey’s Crossroads:
- Patrick Henry Drive from Leesburg Pike to Beachway Drive.
- Peace Valley Lane on the west side of Justice High School.
- Beachway Drive from Patrick Henry Drive to Nevius Street.
- Nevius Street from Leesburg Pike to Beachway Drive.
- Blair Road from Beachway Drive to Glen Carlyn Drive.
The Board of Supervisors’ action follows an amendment to the Virginia Code passed in 2024 that allows localities to reduce the speed limit to less than 25 mph – but not less than 15 mph – on certain highways in business and residential districts.
Related story: FCDOT will study speed limit reductions to 20 mph
The first three zones will be submitted to VDOT, which will install new speed limit signs.
The pilot study will collect public feedback, traffic volume data, and speed data before and after implementation of the speed limit reduction.
Signage and other costs for the nine zones are estimated at $24,000.