South Carlin Springs Road Pedestrian Improvements

Rolling Lane Closures for Milling Work

Crews will be milling pavement on South Carlin Springs Road between 5th Road South and 5th Street South. Lanes will close one at a time only during milling and will reopen as millwork moves. Expected duration is March 18-20.

Location

South Carlin Springs Road & 5th Road South, Arlington, VA 22204

Skip to below map

Skip to above map

Status

Construction

Construction on the intersection of South Carlin Springs Road and 5th Road South, and the east sidewalk between 5th Road South and 5th Street South began in fall of 2025 and will be completed in 2026.

Construction Update - February 2026

Crews are constructing a retaining wall and reconstructing the southern half of the east sidewalk between 5th Street South and 5th Road South. This work is expected to be completed by the end of March, weather permitting.

During this time, the right hand lane will close in front of the block during work hours. Crosswalks will also close; use adjacent crosswalk as indicated by signs onsite.

Map

About the Project

General Scope

Phase 1 will upgrade the current signals, provide wider curb ramps, and mark high visibility crosswalks at the intersections of South Carlin Springs Road and 5th Road South and at 5th Street South. The project will also widen the sidewalk and add a landscape strip on the east side of South Carlin Springs Road between 5th Road South and 5th Street South.

Project Goals

Replace current signals on wires with signals on mast arms
Widen curb ramps at the intersection and add high visibility crosswalk markings
Widen the sidewalk on the east side between 5th Street South and 5th Road South

Watch the Project Video

Ver en español

Project Background

Arlington County is implementing several projects and initiatives to improve safety and access on South Carlin Springs Road between Arlington Boulevard and Columbia Pike. South Carlin Springs Road is slated to undergo a corridor study as part of the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. The efforts on this page explore near-term opportunities to improve safety and access on South Carlin Spring Road.

The County is coordinating multiple tools and planning programs to improve safety on the corridor. Some safety improvements are dependent on acquisition of right-of-way from private property owners along South Carlin Springs Road.

Project Area Map

Project Basis

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.

Existing Conditions

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

Completed and Upcoming Projects

Below are pedestrian safety improvement projects that have been completed on the South Carlin Springs corridor, and projects planned for after current work is completed.

Completed Projects

Pedestrian Signal Improvements - Winter 2025

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).

Signal Upgrades - Summer/Fall 2024

Level of Engagement: Communicate

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

School Slow Zone & Speed Camera Installation - 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.

Safety Measures - 2018-2024

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.

Upcoming Projects

Sidewalk Improvements - 2025-2027

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.

Carlin Springs Road Corridor Study - Anticipated 2026-2027

Level of Engagement: Involve (anticipated)

Carlin Springs Road (from Glebe Road to the County line) is slated to undergo a corridor study as part of the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan
The study will include the Kenmore Connector Trail
Work on the study is anticipated to take place in 2026-2027

About the Process

Fall 2024 - South Carlin Springs Road Open House

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