South Carlin Springs Road Pedestrian Improvements

Master Transportation Plan

• Streets Element: The Complete Street policy informs the scope of this project to improve safety for all road users.
• Primary Transit Network: This street is part of the primary transit network, served by Metrobus 25B and Arlington Transit Route 75.

Vision Zero

• Vision Zero policies call on County staff and the Arlington community to take a proactive approach to safety in order to eliminate severe and fatal crashes from our transportation network by 2030.
  • South Carlin Springs is identified as a speed reduction corridor.

Roadway characteristics

• Four vehicle lanes with some left turn bays
• Primary Transit Network (Metrobus 25B and Arlington Transit Route 75)
• 4-5’ wide sidewalks with 0-2’ buffer
• Some curb ramps are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• No bicycle facilities

Speed information

• Posted speed limit of 30 mph (additional $200 fine zone)
• 20 mph beacon school slow zone (Route 50 to 7th Place S.)
• 85th percentile speed of 34 miles per hour

Constraints

• Limited public right-of-way
• Utility conflicts

Level of engagement: Communicate

Following the 2024 signal upgrades, the County implemented additional measures to the signalized intersections at 3rd Street S., 5th Road/Street S., 6th Road S., and 7th Road S. to improve walkability for students and people walking along S. Carlin Springs Road.

• No Turn on Red signs at all approaches at 3rd Street S., 6th Road S. and 7th Road S.; three approaches at 5^th Road/Street S.
• Lead Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) at crosswalks to give pedestrians a several second head start to cross the street (all approaches at 3rd Street S., 6th Road S., and 7th Road S.; three approaches at 5^th Road/Street S.).
• Automatic Pedestrian Pushbutton Recall during school arrival and dismissal times, which means pedestrians do not have to press the button to receive a walk signal (active at all intersections; times coincide with school beacons).

Level of Engagement: Communicate

• Signal upgrades have been made at these locations:
  • 3rd Street S.: Completed fall 2024
  • 6th Road S.: Completed summer 2024

Level of Engagement: Communicate

• New school slow zones were established starting in spring 2021 and augmented with additional signage and markings in 2022.
  • Dynamic slow zone: South Carlin Springs Road (Arlington Boulevard Service Road and 7th Road South) and 5th Road South (Arlington County Boundary and South Carlin Springs Road)
  • Static slow zone: 2nd Street South (South Madison Street and 1st Street South)
• Speed cameras will be added at 1st Street South and south of 6th Road South, with installation in summer 2024.

Level of Engagement: Communicate

• 2024: Asphalt patch sidewalk widening around utility pole near South Carlin Springs Road and 5^th Road South
• 2021: Vision Zero South Carlin Springs Road Walkability Pilot
• 2020: “Speeding: Additional $200 fine” signage added
• 2018-2021: S. Carlin Springs Road Safety Measures: Arlington Boulevard to 7^th Road South and 7^th Road South to Columbia Pike
  • 2018: Installed additional signage, markings, and bollards at intersections
  • 2019: Concrete improvements (including curb extensions) at multiple intersection locations (1^st St S, 2^nd St S, 3^rd St S, 4^th St S, 5^th St S, 8th Pl S, 8th Rd S, and 8th St S)
  • 2019: Sidewalk widened between 7^th Road South and the Campbell Elementary School entrance
  • 2020/1: Additional pedestrian safety improvements, including medians, crossing infrastructure, and a two-stage crossing with a pedestrian-access controlled RRFB at 8^th Road South.

Level of Engagement: Consult

The goal of this project is to improve pedestrian safety and access on S. Carlin Springs Road by expanding existing sidewalks and installing a buffer zone between pedestrians and vehicular traffic on Carlin Springs Road between 3rd Street S. and 6th Road S.

• Arlington County is reviewing opportunities to improve the sidewalk conditions on S. Carlin Springs Road, including widening where possible.
  • Anticipated Phase 1: 5th St S to 5th Rd S (east side)
  • Anticipated Phase 2: 3rd St to 6th Rd (east and west side)
   
• Due to limited space within the public right of way, improvements are dependent on ongoing negotiations with nearby property owners.

This image is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a concept design. Exact dimensions vary by block.

Level of Engagement: Involve (anticipated)

• South Carlin Springs Road is slated to undergo a corridor study as part of the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan.
• Work on the study is anticipated to take place in 2026-2027

Community members joined project staff at Kenmore Middle School for an open house to learn more about the past, present, and future projects to improve safety and access on South Carlin Springs Road between Arlington Boulevard and Columbia Pike.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting Boards (all)
  • Welcome and Projects Introduction Board
  • Complete Projects Board
  • Upcoming and Future Projects Board
  • S. Carlin Springs Sidewalk Project Board