The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will consider new “No Turn on Red” restrictions at an intersection near Del Ray and North Ridge, after a vehicle struck a woman and her child there in October.
The restrictions would apply to all approaches at the five-legged intersection of Russell Road, Monroe Avenue and High Street, an area that connects single-family neighborhoods to churches and child care facilities, according to the city. The staff recommendation is part of the board’s consent agenda during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight (Monday).
The intersection already has two No Turn on Red restrictions, located at the westbound approach of Monroe Avenue and along High Street. Staff recommend adding three more, including two flanking a crosswalk at Russell Road, parallel to W. Monroe Avenue, and a third at the corner of High Street and Russell Road.
The Oct. 24 crash occurred at the Russell Road crosswalk as a vehicle made a left turn from Monroe Avenue. The woman was later transported to a hospital with significant head injuries.
The proposed restrictions, billed as “short-term changes” to improve safety, would be implemented alongside Leading Pedestrian Intervals, or LPIs, at each crosswalk, which the city installed last month. LPIs give pedestrians a better ability to establish their presence in a crosswalk while vehicles are stopped, according to the staff report.
“Additionally, No Turn on Red restrictions can create safer conditions for drivers by minimizing the risk of crashes between drivers turning right on red and other drivers who have the green signal,” the proposal says.
The restrictions are recommended “to minimize the risk of collisions in the future,” according to the report.
Staff created the recommendations with feedback from members of the citizens’ associations in North Ridge and Del Ray, as well as the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, located at the intersection’s northwest corner at 1608 Russell Road.
Tonight’s meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at 301 King Street and can be viewed remotely via Zoom.
