Alexandria considering ‘no turn on red’ restrictions for some Old Town and Parker-Gray intersections

A few intersections along Patrick and Henry streets could turn into “no turn on red” intersections as part of an effort to clamp down on crashes in Old Town and Parker-Gray.

Both streets were identified as high crash corridors in the city’s Vizion Zero Action Plan. The city said over a dozen people have been struck and injured walking on Patrick and Henry streets in Old Town since 2016.

The city said restricting right turns on red lights can be a cost-effective way of reducing collisions with pedestrians. Nearby D.C. voted last year to ban right turns at most red lights by 2025.

“[No turn on red] restrictions are a low-cost safety treatment that protects pedestrians by reducing collisions between pedestrians and people turning right at a red light,” the city’s website said. “These are typically coupled with signal treatments known as leading pedestrian intervals, which give pedestrians a head start into the intersection and further enhance safety.”

The City is proposing "no turn on red" (NTOR) restrictions for some streets turning onto Patrick and Henry Streets. The proposed changes would take effect in early 2023. For more information >> https://t.co/Uc0ZXHXXVa pic.twitter.com/bpMoa7HUNp

— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) January 5, 2023

Patrick and Henry Streets are the parts of Richmond Highway split into separated northbound and southbound streets that run through the Parker-Gray (or Braddock, depending on your preference) and Old Town neighborhoods.

The restrictions would be put into place on these intersections with Henry Street:

• Wythe Street
• Oronoco Street
• Princess Street
• Queen Street

The restrictions could be in place for these intersections with Patrick Street:

• Montgomery Street
• Wythe Street
• Pendleton Street
• Oronoco Street
• Princess Street
• Cameron Street

Potentially getting rid of the right turn on red option for those intersections is part of a broader Vision Zero effort, which includes a push to overhaul some of the city’s more crash-prone intersections.

According to the website, the city is soliciting public feedback on the potential change until Feb. 6.

The City is accepting public comment on the proposed changes. To submit a comment, please email [email protected]

Image via Google Maps