Heavy traffic and speeding drivers makes GWMP unsafe for motorists as well bicyclists and pedestrians. Photo courtesy of WJLA.
In response to constituent concerns conveyed by Congressman Don Beyer, the National Park Service (NPS) is holding a “listening session” on a traffic study it is conducting on the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) south of the city of Alexandria. The meeting will be on Thursday, July 11, from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Whitman Elementary School at 2500 Parkers Lane in Alexandria.
FABB is encouraging local riders and others who use the Mount Vernon Trail to attend the meeting and share your views and safety concerns with the Park Service. As most of you know, the Mount Vernon Trail is one of the most highly used trails in the region. Unfortunately, the traffic on the adjacent GWMP makes getting to the trail risky and dangerous, especially on the south end. The lack of crosswalks, inadequate and unsafe access points for walkers and bikers, and routine motorist violations of speed limits greatly diminish the intended recreational role of the parkway. The NPS needs to do much more to have the road and surrounding park land meet the goals of commemorating history, preserving wildlife habitat, and providing a scenic place for visitors to play and rest.
Please plan now to attend and Speak Up! to help the project team understand safety recommendations that should be developed for improved safety along the parkway. Let NPS know that our National Parks should not prioritize high-speed car travel but rather aim to make the roadway more like its original description: “tree-lined boulevards and quiet carriage paths designed to relax and calm.”
If you are unable to attend, the NPS is taking comments through August 21, 2019. Information on submitting comments can be found here.
