Updates on Blake Lane Safety Improvements |
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Dear Blake Lane neighbor,
Blake Lane was built at a time when transportation officials designed roads to be safe for drivers, and often left out the needs of other road users. As a result, there are regular conflicts for both drivers and pedestrians. Recognizing the crashes that occurred in December 2020 and June 2022, it is crucial to find opportunities to improve road safety in both the short and long term. With this email, I share an update on where we are, as well as the next steps and ongoing projects in the corridor.
Since convening the Blake Lane Safety Advisory Group last August, the group has met four times virtually with the first meeting in September 2022, completing a preliminary field walk in December 2022, and recently completing a second field walk as part of the Road Safety Audit (RSA) in April. As you may know, the group consists of volunteers representing neighborhoods and HOAs along the corridor, and staff from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD), and my office.
Thanks to productive conversations and input from the community, we have been continuing to improve safety along the corridor.
Our police officers have consistently patrolled the corridor and have issued a total of 351 citations to speeding drivers between June 8, 2022 and May 10, 2023. Additionally, FCPD has installed the speed trailer several times and will continue to station it along the corridor. VDOT has cut back vegetation in the right-of-way to improve sight distance and has notified property owners, as needed, to trim overhanging branches along the corridor.
There are two other important activities currently in progress. The VDOT Road Safety Audit is underway and we are expecting to provide an update and projected timeline for its completion at an in-person community meeting on May 30. We are finalizing the details for that meeting and will share more information soon. And lastly, as part of the County’s Speed Camera Pilot Program, a school zone will be established near Oakton High School. We expect speed cameras to be installed on Blake Lane by the time school opens this fall.
We recognize that some improvements take a considerable amount of time to be put in place, and that includes locating funding. I appreciate the patience and partnership of the community and I encourage everyone to continue providing input to inform decisions about and designs of the road. We want to get it right.
Below is a full timeline of the efforts in progress, and those taken to improve safety for all users along the Blake Lane corridor. We will follow up as we have new updates, and as always please feel free to contact me at: Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov or at (703) 560-6946.
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Upcoming and in Progress:
- Establishing a school zone near Oakton High School and installation of a speed camera
- Blake Lane Safety Advisory Group 5th meeting (virtual, date: TBD)
- Community-wide meeting on May 30 (venue: TBD)
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VDOT is completing a Slurry Seal placement that will improve friction on roads
- Road Safety Audit
- Installation of a refuge and crosswalk and a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the intersection of Blake and Bushman (pending approval of federal grant)
- Construction of a 600 linear foot walkway of 10 feet in width from Blake Lane to Stonehurst Drive
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Past:
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January 2021:
- My office hosted the first Blake Lane Safety Improvements Community Meeting
- VDOT conducted a speed study to determine the appropriate speed in this corridor and the 85th percentile was 43.5 MPH. VDOT determined that the current speed limit of 35 MPH is appropriate for this road.
- 85th percentile speed is defined as “the speed at or below which 85% of all vehicles are observed to travel under free-flowing conditions past a monitored point.”
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April 2021: My office hosted another community meeting and provided updates on recent safety improvements and potential future improvements.
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May 2021: The Board of Supervisors approved the request for the installation of “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs between Jermantown Road and Sutton Road, as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP). Signs were installed in September 2021.
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November 2021: VDOT conducted a signal warrant study at the intersection of Blake Lane and Hibbard Street to determine whether the intersection meets the required warrants.
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The Traffic Signal Study found that no warrants were met per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), published by the Federal Highway Administration, and is nationally recognized as the standard for conducting these engineering studies.
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June 2022:
- I hosted a community meeting that was attended by community members, FCPD, VDOT, FCDOT, and FCPS.
- Fairfax County Police increased their presence and deployed a radar speed sign along the corridor.
- VDOT repainted/refreshed all the lane markings along the corridor for better visibility, and upgraded standard crosswalks to high-visibility crosswalks at all signalized intersections
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July 2022: I presented a Board Matter with Chairman McKay and Supervisor Alcorn directing staff to provide information and recommendations on purchasing additional speed devices to have more speed deterrents countywide.
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August 2022:
- I convened a Blake Lane Safety Advisory Group, including community members and staff from VDOT, FCDOT, FCPS, and FCPD.
- The Board of Supervisors approved the request for installation of “Watch for Children” and “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs along Blake Lane.
- With the help of Providence District School Board Member Karl Frisch, FCPS adjusted 22 bus stop locations that eliminated the need for students to stand and wait on Blake Lane.
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September – November 2022: Blake Lane Safety Advisory Group held three virtual meetings
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December 2022: Preliminary Field Walk with the Road Safety Audit Task Force, VDOT, FCPS, FCPD, FCDOT, and my office
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January 2023: Blake Lane Safety Advisory Group 4th meeting
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April 2023
- Blake Lane Field Walk Pedestrian Road Safety Audit (RSA)
- The Board approved funding for crosswalk improvements on Blake Lane and Bel Glade Street to include the addition of a refuge, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), and the possible relocation of bus stops.
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We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello. Please feel free to email us with events you would like to be included in my newsletter.
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