Comment on GW Parkway Traffic Safety Changes

 As Mount Vernon Residents know, the GW Parkway is a community jewel but has become increasingly dangerous due to vehicle and pedestrian conflicts with increased traffic.

Elected leaders in the area have been laser focused on finding solutions and working with the National Park Service (NPS) to make improvements. As part of National Park System, the Virginia Department of Transportation does not have jurisdiction over construction so we have been working closely with our federal representatives - Congressman Beyer and Senators Warner and Kaine. Senator Ebbin, Del. Krizek and I have also written several local news columns about the challenges our constituents face on the Parkway.

Surovell: Let’s Work Together to Solve GW Parkway’s Traffic Problem, Fort Hunt Herald (July 15, 2019)
‘Parkway Problems Will Get Worse’, Mt. Vernon Gazette, (May 24, 2017)

The NPS has been engaged in an ongoing safety study to come with solutions, held two public meetings and solicited comments.  In July of 2019, I wrote comments to the National Park Service with my ideas for how to improve the Parkway. After receiving comments from the community, I sent an updates letter. Both of those letters are posted below. 

The NPS just released their proposed safety improvements today.  You can read the full report here:

NPS: GW Parkway Traffic And Safety Context Sensitive Solution Assessment
NPS GW Parkway Study Appendices 

You can comment on the proposed solutions here:

The National Park Service is proposing the following solutions among others on the Parkway: 

• Develop a program to trim trees and shrubs on a regular basis during the growing season.
• Initiate education and enforcement measures to reduce excessive speeds, including
• Speed management action plan
• Public awareness campaign of the Parkway in a national context
• Enforce speeds via manual and automated methods.
• Reapply the pavement markings for improved conspicuity and develop a plan to reapply markings on a regular basis.
• Reevaluate crash data collection within the corridor. Detailed crash data provides significant value in understanding crash causes along with demonstrating the impacts of implemented solutions.
• Install mumble strips to keep vehicles on the roadway.
• Use dynamic message signs to alert drivers to the presence of wildlife along the corridor from Belle Haven Road to Waynewood Boulevard. The signs are recommended from mid-October through the end of November and between 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. The signs could remain dark outside of these periods to increase conspicuity.
• Develop a public awareness educational campaign starting at the end of March to remind motorists about the increasing presence of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists who are also using the corridor.

The following are key recommendations that are above and beyond the global recommendations by intersection:

• Belle Haven Road
• Channelize left turns in the median.
• Create an acceleration lane at the U-turn location at Belle Haven Marina.
• Belle View Boulevard
• Implement a median U-turn.
• Tulane Drive
• Implement a roundabout while retaining the high-quality access to the Mount Vernon Trail that currently exists (e.g., investigate the possibility of a pedestrian/bicycle roundabout outside of the vehicular roundabout).
• Morningside Lane, Wellington Road, Collingwood Road, Waynewood Boulevard, and Vernon View Drive
• Implement a road diet throughout these intersections to calm vehicle speeds and provide a center turn lane.  Reduce southbound traffic to one lane from Tulane Drive to Stratford Landing and use the former lane for dedicated left turns.
• For Wellington Road, implement a rectangular rapid flash beacon with a refuge island to address pedestrian/bicyclist crossings.

Based on the recommendations in this study, the National Park Service plans to implement a road diet between four intersections (Morningside Lane, Wellington Road, Waynewood Boulevard, and Vernon View Drive) in 2021. This plan includes signs and striping to calm vehicle speeds and provide a center turn lane. Additionally, the National Park Service will improve signs and striping to five MVT crossings (Belle Haven Marina, Wellington Road, Collingwood Road, Waynewood Boulevard, and Fort Hunt Road).

NPS-proposed road diet - taking southbound traffic to one lane to allow turn lane

Proposed roundabout at Morningside Lane - not under NPS consideration for 2021

Proposed enhanced pedestrian crossing and road diet at Wellington Road

Here are two letters that I wrote to NPS expressing our community's ideas about the Parkway in 2019:

Senator Scott Surovell Init... by Scott A. Surovell

Second public comment letter with data from over 500 constituent comments.

Senator Scott Surovell'... by Scott A. Surovell

Submit your comments here:

I have asked the NPS for a public hearing to raise further awareness about the proposed changes and provide further opportunity for feedback.  Please complete my form above to provide your thoughts.