Fairfax County is considering a number of upgrades on Georgetown Pike to make a trip to the library less hazardous for pedestrians.
The proposed improvements will be presented by the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) at a community meeting next Thursday, Jan. 30. Held at the Great Falls Grange (9818 Georgetown Pike), the meeting is scheduled to last an hour from 7-8 p.m.
Centered on the intersection of Georgetown Pike and the library’s access road, the project will add:
- A high visibility crosswalk
- Pedestrian crossing warning signs
- Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps
- Four Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)
- A pedestrian refuge island
- A stop bar
FCDOT is also planning to construct “minor” sidewalk extensions and drainage improvements on the east side of the entryway from Great Falls Shopping Center onto Georgetown Pike.
In addition, the county proposes eliminating the right-turn lane to Great Falls Library and accompanying curb extensions after “recently obtained” traffic counts indicated that they aren’t needed, according to the project page.
“It will prevent cars from using the right turn lane for passing,” an FCDOT representative said of the right-turn lane removal. “It will shorten the crossing distance and will cause reduction of vehicular speeds.”
As part of the project, the library’s entrance signage and pavement markings will be updated or replaced as needed.
After next week’s meeting, FCDOT will open an online survey where community members can submit comments from Jan. 30 through Feb. 14.
According to the FCDOT spokesperson, a crosswalk and other improvements have been recommended for the Georgetown Pike intersection near Bucks Lane since 1999, based on a traffic study compiled by the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Northern Virginia District office and a Georgetown Pike working group.
The study included an analysis of the crossing’s usage provided by community members with the Great Falls Citizens Association and the Georgetown Pike Association.
“This crossing project was also requested by Great Falls residents including students who cross Georgetown Pike at this location from the library to the shopping center,” the FCDOT representative said.
Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman was among the residents who would’ve benefitted from the proposed safety enhancements. Growing up in the area, he and his family frequented the Safeway at the Great Falls Shopping Center, he told FFXnow.
“I hear daily from constituents requesting crosswalks, especially those with extra measures such as flashing beacons and refuges, in their neighborhoods but it is frequently not possible because of limited resources and VDOT rules,” Bierman said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver on a request from numerous constituents and look forward to receiving feedback from the community on the proposal.”
A pedestrian refuge island at the Georgetown Pike and Great Falls Library intersection was among 18 crosswalk improvement projects funded through the first phase of a countywide push to address gaps in pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure.
The Board of Supervisors approved $5 million for that initial slate of projects in November 2022 after pledging in fall 2021 to commit $100 million over the next six years to small-scale active transportation improvements.
FCDOT estimates that the Georgetown Pike project, which is now in its design phase, will cost around $850,000, including some room for inflation, according to the representative.
“The pedestrian refuge will allow pedestrians to focus on one direction of traffic as they cross and will provide them a place to wait after the first phase of the crossing before proceeding with the second phase of the crossing,” they said.
