Local riders need to Speak Up! in support of a reasonable and appropriate speed limit for Richmond Highway (Route 1) at a Virginia Department of Transportation virtual public information meeting on Tuesday, November 30, at 7:00 pm.
The meeting will focus on a study to assess the 45 miles per hour speed limit on about eight miles of Richmond Highway between Belvoir Road/Meade Road and the Capital Beltway (I-95/I-495) to improve safety for all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and others.
VDOT’s 2018 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan identified Richmond Highway as one of the state’s priority crash corridors. Between 2011-2016, the crash rate along Richmond Highway was 60% higher than the state average.
VDOT has been considering reducing the speed limit to 35 mph and redesigning the road to make it safer for people to walk, bike, and take transit. To get safety improvements implemented, we need local riders to show VDOT and Fairfax County officials that you support a safer Richmond Highway.
Please plan to participate and ask VDOT to:
- Lower the speed limit to a safer 35 mph;
- Provide immediate safety improvements along the corridor;
- Reconsider widening plans to physically design the road for 35 mph; and
- Design the roadway for 35 mph by narrowing travel lanes to help reduce speeding, provide small buffers within the right of way, and minimize the crossing distances for pedestrians.
You can review study information and register to participate at https://www.virginiadot.org/Route1SpeedLimitStudy.
You also can call in without registering and participate in listen-only mode by dialing 1-866-952-8437 and using access code 840-652-473.
If unable to participate, you can still provide your input by December 10, 2021, by filling out the comment form on the study website. You also can send an email to [email protected]. Please reference “Richmond Highway (Route 1) Speed Limit Study in Fairfax County” in the subject line.
