Today (Wednesday) is the last day to submit feedback on a proposed revamp of a stretch of S. Four Mile Run Drive.
The concept design, which county staff have been working on since fall 2023, concerns a length of the road between S. George Mason Drive and S. Walter Reed Drive. It would reduce the width of painted medians and make vehicle lanes narrower in many places, in addition to adding parking lanes.
A dedicated right turn lane would be added for westbound traffic on Walter Reed Drive, while the north side of the street would receive 12-hour parking spots and the south side would receive 3-hour parking spots.
The project seeks to address the following concerns that respondents previously expressed:
- Drivers often speed through this corridor and fail to yield to people in crosswalks. Survey respondents felt that road design prioritizes needs of drivers, not people walking or biking.
- Street parking, especially from trucks or large vehicles, often blocks visibility at driveways and intersections. This endangers people on the sidewalk and other drivers alike.
- Crosswalks are far apart and do not have refuges for pedestrian crossings. Multiple respondents also requested additional protective features for people walking or biking.
A final design is expected to be implemented in the fall. This would be an interim measure until a future capital improvement project can be implemented, as envisioned in the Four Mile Run Area Plan.
A breakdown of the concept design features is below.
- One eastbound travel lane and two westbound travel lanes to manage vehicle speeds and access to businesses and parks on the south side.
- This roadway reconfiguration will help reduce traffic speeds (currently averaging 10 mph above speed limit).
- One eastbound travel lane plus a dedicated left turn lane at intersections where needed.
- Primarily two westbound travel lanes, with some sections reduced to one through lane with a left turn lane.
Existing median demolished to make space for future capital improvements.- Parallel parking is provided on both sides of the street, with a net increase in parking spots and availability.
- 12-hour parking is provided on the north side of the street. Parking is allowed at all times of day and is wide enough to accommodate larger vehicles.
- 3-hour parking is provided on the south side of the street. Most sections allow parking at all times of the day, with a short section that is allowed during off-peak hours only.
- Improved sightlines for drivers and people walking near the Barcroft Park entrance.
- Signal timing and phasing changes to improve safety where the W&OD Trail crosses Walter Reed Drive.
- Dedicated right turn lane added for westbound traffic heading northbound on Walter Reed Drive to provide a safe place for drivers to wait.
Photo (1) via Google Maps
