We write to you today in support of regional transportation planning that identifies cost-effective, sustainable, and equitable solutions to improve mobility and helps inform investments through NVTA’s 6-year program.
Category: Virginia
CSG/CASA Comments: Culmore Pedestrian Safety Improvements
The Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) and CASA write to provide comments (attached and below) to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) on recommendations for pedestrian safety improvements in the Culmore community presented at the Aug. 4th public meeting.
Help make sure Route 7 safety improvements happen in Culmore!
Wow! Over a hundred residents, including school-aged children, attended the Route 7-Culmore Pedestrian Safety public meeting demanding that Fairfax County and VDOT make it safer for their families and neighbors to walk and bike in the community.
On the positive side, officials announced at the meeting the possibility of several safety enhancements – a speed study, a crossing study, and potential sidewalk connections. However, we are very concerned these studies will take years to implement and that the short-term fixes they’ve already done to Route 7 are totally inadequate to truly keep people safe now.
Please email your comments before the August 26 deadline demanding more robust short-term fixes and asking that they prioritize and fund the longer-term projects ASAP.
Community feedback shared during the meeting was very much aligned with the findings of the walkability survey conducted by CSG and CASA in Spring 2022. Residents living in the Culmore community overwhelmingly feel unsafe walking and biking along Route 7 citing poor lighting, dangerous driving, and the lack of connected sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and safe crossing options as core problems.
We are urging several quick fixes that are critical for making the area safer now while longer-term plans are developed, including:
- Installing a temporary, in-street sidewalk connection with jersey barriers or flex posts until a permanent one can be built in front of the gas station where the woman was struck and killed in December
- Reprogramming the traffic signals to give pedestrians a head start and more time to cross Route 7 at all intersections in the corridor
- Lowering the speed limit and adding driver speed feedback signs
- Adding more high visibility crosswalks across Route 7 as well as side streets and driveways along the corridor.
- Providing brighter pedestrian-scale lighting along Route 7 and in the neighborhoods
You can email comments to VDOT and Fairfax County using our action form here asking for these needed quick fixes and safety improvements. Personalizing the email with your own experiences would make an even stronger statement. Comments are being accepted through this Friday, August 26.
CSG in the News: Critics irked by long-term transportation proposal
“A plan that we could never afford is not a plan. And if we can’t afford it, and dozens of the projects can never be built, then the NVTA can’t claim that their plan would reduce congestion,” said Stewart Schwartz, executive director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
CSG Comments: DRPT Southside Beltway
The Coalition for Smarter Growth appreciates DRPT’s involvement in the I-495 southside corridor issue. Our organization has been engaged for over two decades in the transportation and land use issues that connect Prince George’s County and Northern Virginia. Please consider our comments on the I-495 Southside Transit & TDM Study.
RELEASE: Groups challenge bloated $75.7B NOVA transportation plan
Officials release bloated $75.7B transportation plan for NoVA is unlikely to “solve congestion”. Needed – a new approach: A plan that improves access to opportunity, reduces driving, saves families money, and fights climate change.
RSVP: Culmore Pedestrian Safety Rally & Public Meeting
Join CSG and CASA for a rally, followed by the meeting, to demand urgent action to make Route 7 safer for the residents of Culmore and everyone who travels the road.
Important public meeting and rally for safer streets in Baileys Crossroads
CSG and CASA’s joint efforts have prompted an important public meeting next week! VDOT, in collaboration with Fairfax DOT and Supervisor Penny Gross, will hold a meeting to hear community requests for potential safety improvements for Route 7 in the Culmore neighborhood of Bailey’s Crossroads.
ACTION ALERT: Route 7 at Culmore Pedestrian Safety Meeting
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in collaboration with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and the Office of Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, will host a community meeting to discuss pedestrian safety and present potential solutions along Route 7/Leesburg Pike in the Culmore community. Residents and members of the Culmore community are urged to attend and will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments about the presentation.
Meeting information
Date and Time: Thursday, August 4 at 7pm
Location: Bailey’s Elementary School, Cafeteria: 6111 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church, VA 22041
Parking & Transit Access: Parking is available in the school parking lot or take Metrobus Route 28A
Other information: Spanish interpretation services and an activity station for children will be available at the meeting.
If you’re unable to attend the meeting, send your comments via email to meetingcomments@vdot.virginia.gov
Joint Letter on NVTA 6-Year Program FY22-27
Our joint letter with several smart growth and conservation organizations regarding recommendations to further improve the proposed FY 22-27 Six-Year Program and process going forward.