Quick-Build Safety Improvement Projects

Status

In Design

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About Quick-Build Safety Projects

Arlington County’s Vision Zero transportation safety program provides a comprehensive and holistic approach to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. These small-scale safety improvement projects are a part of the greater Vision Zero program effort. They include any safety projects identified through programmatic analysis or community reports and are funded under either general funds or the Vision Zero safety program.

Location

County-wide: DES is implementing small-scale safety improvements throughout Arlington at locations identified either through (1) data analysis, including reviews of crash or behavior data, or (2) reports from the Arlington County Police Department, Arlington Public Schools, or members of the community.

Funding

Some projects are small enough in scale to be funded through the general operating fund. Others are funded through the Vision Zero program under the Arlington County Capital Improvement Plan and are funded by a mix of state and local sources.

Analysis 

DES identifies small-scale safety projects through analysis on both on an annual and ongoing basis: 

  • Annual Crash Analysis: Staff conduct a comprehensive annual analysis each year, which includes a review of the previous year’s crash patterns, as well as longer term crash trends and patterns. This includes a systemic review of common factors in severe/fatal crashes to identify high risk circumstances and roadway characteristics and (2) a “Hot Spot” analysis that identifies individual intersections or locations that experience high numbers of crashes. Following the annual crash analysis, staff identify and implement mitigation efforts to address the patterns and hot spots found through the crash analysis. For more information on annual crash analysis, click here.  
  • Community-Reported Crash Analysis: Ad-hoc crash analysis is prompted by safety-related reports from County staff, our partners, or community members. These ad-hoc analyses focus on identifying specific needs or conditions related to a site.   

Construction 

Construction or implementation of these small-scale safety improvement projects will occur on a rolling basis throughout the year by County staff or contractors.

In 2021, we hope to accomplish the Quick-Build Safety projects listed below. 

Current Quick-Build Safety Projects

S Walter Reed Dr & 12th St S

  • Project Description: Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) will be installed on the northside crosswalk over S Walter Reed Dr at the intersection of 12th St S. The RRFBs will increase pedestrian and bike visibility and reduce multiple threat crashes (in other words, it helps to minimize crashes that occur when a vehicle that has stopped to let a pedestrian or bike cross blocks the view of the crosswalk from another on-coming vehicle).
  • Safety Need: Identified through a 2021 initial safety audit of the S Walter Reed Dr High-Injury Network corridor.
  • Status / Timeline: Anticipated Spring 2022 Construction
  • Additional Notes: Staff collected pedestrian and bike counts at various intersections along this stretch of S. Walter Reed Drive and identified the crosswalks with the highest volumes for RRFBs.

S Walter Reed Dr & 14th St S

  • Project Description: Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) will be installed at the crosswalk over S Walter Reed Dr at the intersection of 14th St S. The RRFBs will increase pedestrian and bike visibility and reduce multiple threat crashes (in other words, it helps to minimize crashes that occur when a vehicle that has stopped to let a pedestrian or bike cross blocks the view of the crosswalk from another on-coming vehicle).
  • Safety Need: Identified through a 2021 initial safety audit of the S Walter Reed Dr High-Injury Network corridor. This crosswalk also provides direct access to the Walter Reed Community Center and public facilities.
  • Status / Timeline: Anticipated Spring 2022 Construction
  • Additional Notes: Staff collected pedestrian and bike counts at various intersections along this stretch of S. Walter Reed Drive and identified the crosswalks with the highest volumes for RRFBs.

Williamsburg Blvd & N George Mason Dr 

  • Project Description: Curb extensions to be constructed on the northeast and northwest portions of the intersection, which will realign the curbs along George Mason Dr, reduce crossing distance for pedestrians/bikes, enhance driver sight lines at the stop sign, and reduce turning vehicle speeds; Extension of the median will provide additional pedestrian refuge area; Improvement of the bus stop on the northeast corner of the intersection to comply with most recent ADA standards.
    • Click here to see draft plan.
  • Safety Need: Identified through the 2018 Annual Hot Spot Analysis as a location that sees a significant number of angle crashes.
  • Status / Timeline: Anticipated 2022 construction.
  • Additional Notes: The intersection did not meet the warrants for a traffic signal and an all way stop. 

26th St N & N. Harrison St  

  • Project Description: Curb extensions to be constructed on the northeast, southwest, and southeast portions of the intersection to reduce pedestrian crossing distances and improve driver sight lines. The slip lane island and crossings are to be updated in the northwest portion.
    • Click here to see draft plan. 
  • Safety Need: Identified through the annual hot spot analysis in 2017. 
  • Status / Timeline: Anticipated 2022 construction. 
  • Additional Notes: Improvements in 2018 included (1) new pavement markings and bollards to reduce turning speeds and provide additional pedestrian refuge and (2) an in-street pedestrian sign to bring extra visibility for pedestrians crossing. These improvements helped to reduce crashes, so the next step is to build out the curbs with concrete to enhance safety and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance. Note that, although the County prefers to remove slip lanes whenever possible, the angle of the turn is too acute to allow for a right turn from southbound Harrison St on to westbound 25th St N. In addition, the removal of the slip lane would lengthen and remove the existing refuge for the pedestrian crossing. Therefore, the slip lane will remain but include improvements to increase pedestrian visibility. 

14th St N & Arlington Blvd On-Ramp 

  • Project Description: Repairing the curb and gutter structure, upgrading curb ramps for people who walk and people who bike, and clarifying the crossings with pavement markings to improve safety at the intersection. 
  • Safety Need: Identified through the 2017 hot spot program. 
  • Status / Timeline: Spring/Summer 2021 Construction 
  • Additional Notes: This project is being implemented in coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation. It is being funded by Arlington County.   

Yorktown Blvd & George Mason Dr  

Yorktown Blvd & N Edison St  

  •  Project Description: Built curb extensions to be added on the southern corners of the intersection, which will visually and physically narrow the roadway, reduce crossing distance for pedestrians/bikes, and reduce turning vehicle speeds. The project includes marking stop bars and high visibility crosswalks on the north and south legs of N Edison St.  (PNG, 145KB)
  • Safety Need: Yorktown High School is located one block west on Yorktown Blvd. This intersection is on a major walking path to the high school. The project was identified through nearby routine bus stop accessibility improvements.  
  • Status / Timeline: Anticipated 2022
  • Additional Notes: None

N Rhodes St & Wilson Blvd Floating Bus Stop   

  •  Project Description: A floating bus stop serving WMATA Route 4B & 38B and ART Route 45 at N Rhodes St & Wilson Blvd. The floating bus stop design provides (1) a dedicated waiting and boarding area for passengers and (2) continuous separation for the protected bike lane on Wilson Blvd. People using the bus stop will cross the bike lane and board the bus from the elevated bus platform. This new configuration allows buses to remain in the travel lane while picking up/dropping off passengers, which enhances bus travel time and reduces merging. The project also involves raising the bike lane to a similar elevation as the floating bus stop platform.
  • Safety Need:  There is a protected bike lane along this portion of westbound Wilson Blvd. When it was first built in 2018, the bus stop interrupted the protected bike lane, so bicyclists and buses needed to carefully merge to allow for safe loading and unloading. The purpose of the floating bus stop is to improve safety for people using the bike lanes and streamline transit service operations. 
  • Status / Timeline: TBD
  • Additional Notes: Learn more about floating bus stops how to use them here.

N Quincy St & 9th St N 

  • Project Description: A built extension to the northeast curb to permanently reduce the crosswalk distance over N Quincy St and minimize the vehicle turning radius. The project includes new ADA-compliant curb ramps on the northeast corner. 
  • Safety Need: This project was identified through community-reported concerns.
  • Status / Timeline: Winter 2021/2022
  • Additional Notes: N/A  

North Ohio Street Bridge over I-66

  • Project Description: New buffered bike lane pavement markings across the N Ohio St bridge over I-66 (between 14th St N and 12th Rd N) to narrow vehicle travel lanes and improve the existing bike lane along N Ohio St.
  • Safety Need: This project was identified through community-reported concerns and selected for a project due to its close proximity to Cardinal and Arlington Traditional Elementary Schools.
  • Status / Timeline: Winter 2021/22
  • Additional Notes: N/A
Washington Blvd & 19th St N  
  • Project Description: Improvements at the intersection of Washington Blvd & 19th St N to formalize curb lines along 19th St N and enhance drainage, as well as building a permanent curb extension and ADA-compliant ramp across 19th St N to reduce pedestrian crossing distances and slow turning vehicles.
  • Safety Need: This project was identified through community-reported concerns along 19th St N.  
  • Status / Timeline: Fall 2021 
  • Additional Notes: N/A  

Wilson Blvd Mid-block Crossing in Rosslyn 

  •  Project Description: During construction in the West Rosslyn Area, a developer installed a temporary mid-block crossing between N Oak St and N Pierce St. This crosswalk was in place for about two years to allow people to safely cross Wilson Blvd while the walking path on the north side of the block was closed for construction. Now that construction is complete and a new fire station traffic signal is in operation immediately west of the temporary crosswalk, the crosswalk is no longer the safest option for crossing Wilson Blvd. Specifically, the fire station's dedicated traffic signal remains green at all times unless triggered for fire truck departure, so cars have a green signal even when pedestrians are crossing. As a result, the mid-block crossing will be removed, and the County will identify a new location for the placement of a permanent mid-block crossing across Wilson Blvd.  
  • Safety Need: This project was identified through safety concerns raised by County staff after the completion of construction in West Rosslyn.   
  • Status / Timeline: Fall 2021 for crosswalk removal; TBD for new crosswalk installation  
  • Additional Notes: N/A  

 

Completed Quick-Build Safety Projects  

Tuckahoe Park Crossing at N. Sycamore Street

  • Click here(PDF, 318KB) to view the before/after project sheet
  • Project Description: Added a new crosswalk with ADA-compliant receiving curb ramps to create a mid-block crossing over Sycamore Street between the long block from Langston Blvd (formerly Lee Hwy) and 26th St N. The new crosswalk provides access to Tuckahoe Park and Tuckahoe Elementary School, both areas of high pedestrian activity.
  • Safety Need: This project was identified through community-reported concerns and selected for a project due to its close proximity to Tuckahoe Elementary School. 
  • Status / Timeline: Completed December 2021
Wilson Blvd & N. Fillmore Street + Wilson Blvd & N. Barton Street
  • Project Sheet: Coming Soon
  • Project Description: Added bike lane skips across both intersections to ensure awareness of bike lane continuity and added a two-stage bike turn box to the northwest corner of each intersection to create a designated path and space for people on bikes making left turns.
  • Safety Need: Identified through evaluation of bike boxes on nearby HIN corridors.
  • Status / Timeline: Completed November 2021

36th St S & S Abingdon St 

  • Click here(PDF, 295KB) to view the before/after project sheet
  • Project Description: dded an extension to the north curb to build out the existing pavement markings to permanently reduce the crosswalk distance and minimize the vehicle turning radius. The project included a centerline buffer to reduce the vehicle lane widths, a new ADA-compliant curb ramp at the southern curb, and bike lane skips across the intersection to enhance bicycle visibility. 
  • Safety Need: This project was identified through community-reported concerns and coordinated with the Fairlington Civic Association using funds available through local developer contributions.  
  • Status / Timeline: Completed December 2021
20th Rd N & N Randolph St
  • Click here(PDF, 239KB) to view the before/after project sheet.
  • Project Description: ADA compliant curb ramp to be constructed on the northwest corner of the intersection along with providing a high visibility crosswalk from the northwest to the northeast corner. 
  • Safety Need: Identified through the 2020 Repaving program; existing crosswalk lead into a utility pole. 
  • Completed: September 2021 

N Ohio St & 18th St N 

  • Click here(PDF, 272KB) to view the before/after project sheet. 
  • Project Description: A new crosswalk to create a mid-block crossing over North Ohio Street between the existing crossings at Washington Boulevard and at 14th Street North. The new crosswalk will provide better access to Cardinal Elementary School and Swanson Middle School School, both areas of high pedestrian activity. Additionally, a marked median extension and marked curb extensions are being added to shorten the pedestrian crossings.  
  • Safety Need: This project was identified by the Arlington Public Schools new school working group because it is a walking route to the new Cardinal Elementary School.  
  • Completed: September 2021 

S Courthouse Rd & Walter Reed Dr 

  • Click here(PDF, 303KB) to view the before/after project sheet.  
  • Project Description: Improved the curb ramps and clarified the crossings with markings and stop and yield signs for the intersection approaches.  
  • Safety Need: Identified through the 2017 hot spot program and reports from the community. 
  • Completed: July 2021 

Shirlington Rd & Four Mile Run Dr 

  • Click here(PDF, 397KB) to view the before/after project sheet.  
  • Project Description: Added a marking/bollard curb extension to be added on the northwest corner of the intersection; added a southbound no right turn on red restriction and a leading pedestrian interval phase.  
  • Safety Need: Four Mile Run Dr was identified on the 2019 High Injury Network, and this intersection was identified as a high volume trail crossing.  
  • Completed: July 2021 
  • Additional Notes: More improvements will be made to Four Mile Run Dr and Shirlington Rd in conjunction with the Jennie Dean Park improvement project, estimated for Fall 2021 completion.  

Fairfax Drive and 14th Street North 

  • Click here to view the before/after project sheet.  
  • Project Description: Added sidewalk, widened pavement markings, upgraded curb ramps, repaired curb and gutter, and added a stop sign. 
  • Safety Need: Identified through the 2017 hot spot program 
  • Completed: May 2021 

North Quincy Street and 5th Road North 

  • Click here to view the before/after project sheet.   
  • Project Description: Added missing link in protected bike lane added and realigned curb along the park. 
  • Safety Need: Missing link in protected bike network.  
  • Completed: May 2021 

North Meade Street and Arlington Boulevard 

  • Click here to view the before/after project sheet.   
  • Project Description: Removed southbound turn lane and added a protected bike lane. 
  • Safety Need: Identified through the 2017 hot spot program 
  • Completed: October 2020  

Williamsburg Boulevard and 34th Road North / 34th Street North 

  • Click here to view the before/after project sheet.   
  • Project Description: Installed speed feedback indicator signs, added new pavement markings and signage. 
  • Safety Need: Pedestrian safety issues and speeding on Williamsburg Blvd reported by community and confirmed via speed data collection.  
  • Completed: September 2020 

Photo Gallery

Courthouse and Walter Reed

Courthouse and Walter Reed

(PNG, 462KB)
Courthouse and Walter Reed

Courthouse and Walter Reed

(PNG, 424KB)
North Side Yorktown GM 3

North Side Yorktown GM 3

(PNG, 390KB)
14th and fairfax

14th and fairfax

(PNG, 250KB)

Contacts

Assistant TE&O Bureau Chief
Dan Nabors
703-228-3726

 

Media Inquiries
Katie O'Brien
703-228-4952

 

Public Engagement
Nate Graham
703-228-3112

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