VDOT pursues safety improvements for Route 7 in Culmore
Several projects are underway or planned to improve pedestrian safety along a section of Leesburg Pike in the Culmore area of Bailey’s Crossroads.
More than 120 community members showed up at a meeting Aug. 4 to hear officials from the Virginia and Fairfax County transportation department describe their plans at Bailey’s Elementary School.
Before the meeting, which was held in Spanish and English, CASA and the Coalition of Smarter Growth staged a rally in front of the school highlighting the need to make the area safer for pedestrians.
Those organizations have been pushing for safe streets on Route 7 since a pedestrian was fatally struck in December 2021 in front of the Liberty gas station at 5930 Leesburg Pike. There are no sidewalks there and there are lots of cars going in and out.
Route 7 in Culmore is one of the most dangerous areas for pedestrians with a high rate of crashes. That three-mile stretch of roadway is marked by missing sidewalks, too few crosswalks, and high traffic speeds.
The area in front of the Liberty gas station is the top priority for adding a sidewalk, said Mason Supervisor Penny Gross.
VDOT already painted a solid “edge line” along the outer lane of westbound Leesburg Pike in front of Liberty. The idea is to slow down vehicles and clearly mark the entrance to the gas station.
To make room for a new five-foot sidewalk, VDOT is considering reducing the width of the westbound and center left-turn lane, said Houda Ali, district assistant director of land use and transportation at VDOT for Fairfax and Arlington counties. That would reduce the need for land acquisition.
Related story: Culmore residents: Route 7 is unsafe
VDOT is also considering filling in the sidewalk gaps in front of the Crown gas station at 5929 Leesburg Pike across the street from Liberty, in front of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, and at the corner of Route 7 and Glen Carlyn Road by the church parking lot.
There is no funding yet for any of these projects, however, said Ali, one of about a dozen transportation officials at the meeting.
VDOT estimates preliminary conceptual design costs would be $1.4 million to $1.9 million for a sidewalk in front of the Liberty gas station and $3.2 million to $4 million for a sidewalk on the south side of Leesburg Pike.
The costs would rise substantially if the projects require the acquisition of land and the relocation of utilities.
VDOT is also studying the potential for a new signalized crosswalk on Route 7 between Magnolia Avenue and Glen Carlyn Road,
A VDOT study on potentially reducing the speed limit from the current 40 mph on that section of Route 7 is expected to be completed this fall. Implementation would take much longer.
Several improvements have already been completed, Ali said. “Pedestrian Warning” signs have been posted along the roadway. The traffic signal on Route 7 at Glen Carlyn Road has been modified to give pedestrians more time to cross. A stop sign and speed limit sign have been installed on Glen Carlyn Drive behind the Culmore Shopping Center.
VDOT is also planning to improve accessibility for the disabled at existing traffic signals by installing signals that beep and adding crosswalks and ramps.
The Fairfax County Transportation Department is undertaking a Culmore Pedestrian Crossing Safety Study. The department is analyzing existing pedestrian circulation and connectivity, intersection operations, crash history, and speeds. The study is expected to be completed in spring 2023.
Potential recommendations could include a new traffic signal or pedestrian hybrid beacon in front of the shopping center, a traffic signal at Magnolia Avenue, and fencing to discourage pedestrians from crossing mid-block.
Related story: Culmore residents join the fight for safe streets
Public safety campaigns are also underway. Fairfax County plans to launch a communications plan for educating the public about traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle safety next month.
The county’s Safe Streets for All program, approved by the Board of Supervisors in May, provides a framework to address systemic transportation issues focusing on pedestrians, bicycles, and scooters.
During the question-and-answer period at the meeting, Culmore residents spoke about the need for more street lights and stop signs on Vista Drive, extended crosswalk times, and more sidewalks.
Just a little further west, there’s also a gap in the sidewalk on the south side of 7, between Patrick Henry Drive and the church. Pedestrians have only a dirt path right next to the eastbound lanes as they leave the bus stop or cross 7 at the Patrick Henry light.
All the safety improvements can be constructed and put in place. If people do not make the effort to use them they are worthless. I’ll give you an example. Crosswalk with traffic signal installed on Little River Turnpike across from the landmark Shopping Center and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Pedestrians refuse to walk to the dedicated crossing spot. They still cross wherever it is convenient for them. Save our tax money.
It’s hard to change stupid. All we can do is try. People will always seek the shortest and quickest route even if it puts their life in harm’s way. Traffic and City planners typically will survey preferred pedestrian routes but not always able to implement those for numerous reasons such as funding limits and/or conflicts w safety ordinances.
It’s about time for safe sidewalks between Culmore and Baileys Crossroads. Sure it will cost money, but how much tax money comes in from all the new developments along Rt. 7. The present walking along Route 7 is worse than some 2nd & 3rd world countries that I have visited and Fairfax County should be ashamed.
Wow, those sound like nice 3rd world countries.
Sidewalks have little to nothing to do with the issue. Crosswalks are the debate. One side thinks more money should be spent for more crosswalks. The other side thinks (correctly) that people will still jaywalk if there’s a crosswalk every 50 feet. Anything else put forth by the “framework” is gold-plating and at best a waste, at worst nefarious.