The City of Alexandria is asking residents to weigh in on proposed safety and accessibility improvements along a stretch of Braddock Road that community members have identified as one of the most dangerous corridors in the city.
The project focuses on Braddock Road between Russell Road and North West Street, connecting residential neighborhoods to the Braddock Road Metrorail Station and popular walking and biking trails. The Virginia Department of Transportation has designated the section between Mount Vernon Avenue and North West Street as a top priority for pedestrian and bicycle safety upgrades statewide.
Community feedback collected in March revealed significant safety concerns. Of 289 survey respondents, 70% said the street feels unsafe for families walking and biking, while 64% reported that people drive too fast through the corridor.
“I live very close to the Braddock Road Metro station, and I am thrilled to see the city planning this project,” one resident wrote in the March survey. “Of all the places I regularly feel unsafe on Alexandria’s streets, the stretch of Braddock Road between Mount Vernon and West is the worst.”
The most problematic area appears to be the pedestrian crossing near the Metro station with flashing beacons, where multiple residents reported near-misses with speeding vehicles. One respondent described seeing cars “constantly flying through” even when the lights are flashing for pedestrians.
Proposed Improvements
The city’s design options include enhanced pedestrian crossings, better access to the Braddock Road Metrorail Station, improved connections to the Potomac Yard Trail and Metro Linear Trail, simplified signal timing and safety improvements for all modes of transportation.
The project supports recommendations from both the Alexandria Mobility Plan and a 2023 Safe Routes to School Walk Audit at George Washington Middle School, which identified needed safety improvements in the area.
Community Input Opportunities
Residents can provide feedback through an online form until Oct. 3. The city is also hosting a community open house on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 7-8 p.m. at George Washington Middle School cafeteria, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave. Attendees should enter through the main entrance via the parking lot.
The feedback will inform final design proposals for the corridor.
For project updates and more information, visit the project page.
