Spot improvements to start at congested Lincolnia intersection
 |
| The N. Beauregard/N. Chambliss intersection. [File photos] |
Construction of the “spot improvement project” at the N. Beauregard Street/N. Chambliss Street intersection in Lincolnia is expected to start in July, reports Mason Supervisor Penny Gross.
The project would improve pedestrian safety by replacing the existing painted island with a wider concrete median island on N. Beauregard Street to reduce the crossing distance.
The project will also include a pedestrian flashing beacon; ADA-compliant ramps, curbs, and gutters; pavement markings; and signage.
Construction will be done Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Traffic detours will be in place when needed. Barring unforeseen delays, the project is expected to be completed this summer.
The entire Lincolnia Road to 395 series of intersections is one of the worst in this region. It has been modified by a series of spot improvements, each one contributing to a declining quality in getting cars efficiently through the intersection while putting pedestrians at risk by creating a crosswalk mid block from the Chipotle to the gas station. This newest upgrade will help with the very few pedestrians crossing at this location and squeeze the cars coming from Lincolnia a bit more and slowing things down. Start over VDOT/Fairfax!
The recent Lincolnia update to the comprehensive plan – worked on for many months by neighbors in our community – will allow the redevelopment of this area over the next few years. It encourages a reimagined street plan and arrangement of buildings. For those who might be inclined to carp that nothing will ever change in our hometown, I propose that the new developments at Landmark Mall, this rezoned Landmark Plaza, and the general increase in land value in the immediate area, will result in some profound positive changes in the years to come. That said, I happen to enjoy the unvarnished look of this area and will be sad when it is all changed and polished up.
This comment has been removed by the author.
James, agree with your sentiment about the look of the area. It is a shame, but I guess that's just the way things go? I hate the drab, ubiquitous design of mixed-use developments.
What's ironic is that planning classes often champion environments that have a "sense of place". Nothing is more disorienting than these indistinguishable structures.
The Landmark Plaza will look lovely but it will add to an already congested area around the 395 entrance area. There are been no thought to improving traffic and like the prior poster – each "fix" seems to makes things worse.
Looking forward to Taco Bamba opening in the former Chef Guo location.
This area desperately calls for at least two overhead pedestrian bridges, one crossing Little River Turnpike and the other crossing Beauregard St. Of course, a few pedestrians won't be able to climb up to the bridge, but these two bridges would get most pedestrians off the street. That will be good for pedestrians and good for traffic.
It also wouldn't hurt if VDOT would fix some of the jolting pavement in the area. But I can understand if it is "pedestrians first."
Drop a bomb and be done with this mess.