Action Alert: Braddock Road Appealed to City Council

Our Ask:

Implement protected bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements at intersections on Braddock Road from West Street to Russell Road, as recommended by Transportation and Environmental Services staff and the Traffic & Parking Board (Options 1B, 2A, 3, 4B, 5A, and 6C). These choices provide the maximum safety for students and citizens of all ages that live or travel in our City.

What You Can Do:

Speak up at the City Council Public Hearing on Saturday, May 16 at 9:30 AM. Speakers will be called in the order they signed up (link to be posted around May 9). You can speak virtually or sign up at the in-person meeting at City Council Chambers, Room 1305 at Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Dr, Alexandria, VA.

Although the Traffic & Parking Board voted 6:0 to support the project, three petitions resulted in an appeal to City Council, tentatively scheduled for May 16.

Given the amount of community interest, this meeting will likely last into the afternoon. When docket item is called, staff will likely make a presentation and then City Council will ask questions. Then, the City Council will begin the public hearing by calling names in the order they signed up, usually five at a time so unless you are the first person to sign up, you will have some warning.

There are approximately 60 seats in the City Council chambers which will likely fill up. There is also an overflow room with more space with a television streaming the meeting.

If you have not spoken to the City Council before, here are a few tips.

You will have to to three minutes to speak which roughly the amount of time it takes to read a sheet of paper (don’t feel you need to speak the entire time)
Start by stating you support the staff recommendation
Make no more the three points
Give positive, fact-supported statements about why you support the project
Try to make a unique, personal statement about why this project matters to you and your family
Avoid personal attacks

It can seem intimidating to speak but remember the City Council is made up of our fellow neighbors and there will be plenty of project supporters in attendance.

For more information, check out the project webpage or the docket report starting on page 35.

Questions? Send an email to alexandriabpac@gmail.com

If you cannot attend the meeting, please send a message to the City Council using the suggested text below.

Level of Effort: 15 minutes in your pajamas
Deadline: 15 May 2026 (written feedback)
Suggested Text:

“Dear Mayor Gaskins, Vice Mayor Bagley and City Councilmembers,

I support the staff recommendation for the safest biking and walking options for the Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvement Project, Options 1B, 2A, 3, 4B, 5A and 6C because these make this road the safest for all users: drivers, walkers and cyclists.”

Add your personal experience. Perhaps these have happened to you:

“When I walk or bike in this section of the Braddock Rd I’ve had cars or trucks
- … pass me closer than the state allows ( 3 ft legal limit)
- … pass with excessive speed … turn in front of me …. close calls with doors etc.
“I’m a parent that would love to bike or walk with my child to …. but I don’t because of the dangers of ….
“I’m a ‘walk-to-school’ student that uses Braddock road, but….
“As a senior citizen, I don’t bike or walk along this corridor because of the dangers
“When it’s dark out….

Other talking points you can make:

Improves neighborhood livability providing safer access for pedestrians and cyclists to the nearby shops and businesses, while adding minimal delay for drivers.
The new design will give ALL users of a public road a space to drive, walk or cycle but with reduced conflict points and reduced exposure of danger to vulnerable road users
Improves the safety of the entire biking and walking network in the city because these options:
- eliminate a dangerous gap in the long planned city-wide bike network
- allow all ages and abilities to ride Braddock road not just the spandex or confident riders
- will be safer for everyone: drivers, walkers, cyclists which is more important that preserving its current dangerous configuration
Safety is especially important because:
- of the metro station and nearby walk and bike trails
- large student population at GW Middle School that likes to bike or in the school’s designated ‘walk zone’ (no yellow bus service)