Department of Transportation and Environmental Services

Alexandria board rejects T&ES-recommended parking additions around Russell Road

Published September 29, 2026 at 3:45PM

Proposed area to remove on-street parking along Russell Road in Alexandria’s Rosemont/North Ridge neighborhoods (via City of Alexandria)

As the Transportation & Environmental Services plan for Russell Road is being appealed to City Council, the Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board rejected additional proposals for parking spaces on Russell Road.

On Monday (Sept. 28), the board considered parking additions that T&ES director Leah Riley had recommended in her Alternative C. The board voted against adding five on-street parking spaces in the 600 block of Russell Road, two loading zone spaces in the 600 block of Russell Road with time restrictions and six on-street parking spaces in the 700 block of Johnston Place.

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Trump repeal of Chesapeake Bay cleanup order targets local stormwater utility fees

By Emily Leayman

Published September 22, 2026 at 2:45PM

A pair of Mallard ducks swim in the Potomac at the Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

President Donald Trump (R) has rolled back a 2009 executive order that has guided mandates for the Chesapeake Bay’s cleanup for more than 17 years. The action took aim at localities like Alexandria with stormwater utility fees.

The White House said the 2009 executive order created a “broad mandate” for states and localities to improve the Chesapeake Bay’s health “without providing clarity on how to implement that order’s requirements.” According to the feds, Virginia — collectively with New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., Delaware and West Virginia — has met 100% of the goal for sediment reduction, 90% for phosphorus reduction, and 57% for nitrogen reduction.

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Hundreds of near-misses prompt push for stop sign cameras, more measures in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published September 15, 2026 at 3:45PM

The roundabout at Hickory and Kennedy Streets in Alexandria's Potomac West neighborhood, November 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After collecting reports on hundreds of near-miss crashes over the last year and a half, Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets is calling on Alexandria to deploy new authority over stop sign cameras and other measures to address driver behaviors.

Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets, which includes an Alexandria chapter, collected 241 near-miss reports in the city between January 2025 and June 2026. While crashes are recorded on the city’s dashboard, the organization takes resident reports of near-misses by text and online survey.

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T&ES director recommends Russell Road alternative after board approves parking removals

By Emily Leayman

Published August 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

Proposed area to remove on-street parking along Russell Road in Alexandria’s Rosemont/North Ridge neighborhoods (via City of Alexandria)

After the Traffic and Parking Board approved the removal of 20 parking spaces on Russell Road near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary in July, the director of Alexandria’s Transportation and Environmental Services is proposing a different option.

First reported by Alexandria Brief, T&ES director Leah Riley proposed Alternative C, which she says will minimize parking impacts while prioritizing pedestrian safety, neighborhood concerns and the Traffic and Parking Board’s request for more parking to accommodate school staff.

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Upgrades underway for permanent 200 block of King Street pedestrian zone

By Emily Leayman

Published July 29, 2026 at 1:45PM

200 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

After the permanent closure of the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic was approved last year, Alexandria is making upgrades to the block.

The Alexandria Department of Transportation & Environmental Services announced plans to add permanent improvements to the pedestrian block. The last city budget allocated $350,000 to make improvements to the 200 block pedestrian zone.

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Alexandria pushes back timeline for $2.1M Taylor Run stream stabilization

By Emily Leayman

Published July 21, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated July 21, 2026 at 5:17PM

Areas covered by the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria has pushed back the timeline on a project to stabilize the Taylor Run stream and sanitary sewer infrastructure at risk of damage from erosion.

The city’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services Stormwater Division and design consultant AECOM hosted a community briefing Monday (July 20) to present the 60% design on the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project. The $2.1 million project is based on recommendations from the Taylor Run Consensus Building Group, a stakeholder group formed to address community concerns from the previous stream restoration proposal. The former proposal drew controversy over its environmental impacts, leading City Council to send the full stream restoration back to study in 2021.

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JUST IN: Hazardous materials scene partially closes Duke Street in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published July 20, 2026 at 9:30AM | Updated July 20, 2026 at 11:46AM

Hazardous materials response on Duke Street, July 20, 2026, (via Alexandria Police Department/Facebook)

A hazardous materials spill onto Duke Street in the West End prompted a partial road closure and police and fire presence Monday morning.

Around 8:07 a.m., the Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Fire Department responded to a call in the 5300 block of Duke Street about white powder substance falling from a truck.

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Alexandria to brief residents on upcoming gas-powered leaf blower ban

By Emily Leayman

Published July 20, 2026 at 9:15AM

Leafblower (via Philip Myrtorp/Unsplash)

With about four months to go until the City of Alexandria completely bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, the city government will hold a meeting Tuesday on specifics of the ban.

Residents, business owners, property owners and landscapers are invited to the meeting on the ban from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. There are options to attend in person at the Charles Houston Recreation Center in the preschool activity room or virtually through Zoom (meeting ID 972 6916 1416 and passcode 575982).

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City targets summer 2027 start date for flood mitigation project in northern Del Ray

By Emily Leayman

Published June 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Illustration of a proposed culvert during future construction of the Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project (via City of Alexandria)

The city is getting ready for a potential 2027 start date on one of its biggest projects to address stormwater flooding in Lynhaven and the northern part of Del Ray.

The city held a meeting on the Commonwealth, Ashby, and Glebe Flood Mitigation Project last Thursday (June 4) at the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center. Since the last community meeting in 2025, the project has received final design plans, and the city is preparing to solicit a construction contractor. It is also coordinating with utility owners for utility relocation to accommodate new stormwater infrastructure. Summer 2027 is the tentative construction start date.

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Public hearing on Duke Street and W. Taylor Run intersection planned tonight

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2026 at 2:45PM

Telegraph Road access ramp design (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is holding a public hearing tonight (Tuesday) on its plan to improve safety at a high-crash location on Duke Street while reducing neighborhood cut-through traffic.

The Duke Street and West Taylor Run Intersection Project has been in the design stage since 2024, with construction estimated to occur in 2027 and 2028. The final design of the project will wrap up this year, according to the city.

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Alternatives to large plunge pool proposed for Taylor Run stream stabilization project

By Emily Leayman

Published March 31, 2026 at 2:45PM

Areas covered by the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization Project (via City of Alexandria)

Two alternatives to a larger plunge pool for the Taylor Run stream stabilization project — with fewer impacts to trees — were proposed as the project moves closer to construction.

The city is conducting the Taylor Run Infrastructure Stabilization project on about 1.7 acres around Chinquapin Park near Alexandria City High School. It replaced the original stream restoration project that City Council sent back to study in 2021 amid controversy over its environmental impacts. The project aims to address erosion around the stream while protecting surrounding infrastructure, including sanitary sewer pipes, manholes, stormwater pipe outfalls and the park’s trail.