UPDATE: After eight people testified in favor of the project (none opposed), Traffic & Parking Board approved this project 6:0! Thank you to all who took the time to speak or write to the Board. Staff shared that construction will likely begin in July and BPAC appreciates their work and willingness to consider feedback.

Testify to the Traffic & Parking Board supporting a safer Mill Rd for an All Ages – All abilities Bike Lane!

Our Ask:
Mill Rd is part of a five mile east-west route, connecting the Van Dorn Metro station to the waterfront. While three miles is complete and 1.6 miles was approved last summer, this 0.4 mile segment fills a key, high stress gap. For example, the docket report states 85% of drivers do not stop at Mill Rd and Pershing Ave ramp to Telegraph Rd. The project will also connect a recently completed side path behind Wegmans, the Jamieson Ave bike lanes and the Eisenhower Trail. Combined with the Holmes Run Trail, riders will be able to 6 miles to Jones Point with children and people who are less comfortable riding in traffic. 

Testify to the Traffic & Parking Board

Level of Effort: 45 minutes in-person or online

Date:  Monday, May 19 at 7 pm

Show up in-person at 301 King St (City Hall), go to second floor to the City Council chambers rooms and sign up there.

Register in advance for this webinar and wait for your name to be called when Docket 6 begins.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rrgZjBVDQs6GDAWYEeXwfw
Or an H.323/SIP room system:
H.323: 144.195.19.161 (US West) or 206.247.11.121 (US East)
Meeting ID: 995 3000 5506
Passcode: 915805
SIP: 995 3000 5506@zoomcrc.com
Passcode: 915805

Not able to make the meeting? Please send a short written statement to trafficandparkingboard@alexandriava.gov no later than 7 pm Sunday May 18.

Background

Mill Rd is part of a five mile east-west route, connecting the Van Dorn Metro station to the waterfront. While three miles is complete and 1.6 miles was approved last summer, this 0.4 mile segment fills a key, high stress gap. More information is available on page 12 of the docket, the project webpage as well as the draft concept plan.

Suggested Feedback: 
Please vote to support the staff recommendation and make Mill Rd the safest possible bicycle route. 

1. The proposed bike lanes fills a missing link to connect the West End with the waterfront, allowing riders to follow the Holmes Run Trail, Eisenhower Ave Trail, Jamieson Ave bike lanes and Wilkes St Neighborhood Bikeway to the Mount Vernon Trail. It also connects to a newly constructed multi-use trail that runs from Stovall St to Alexandria Community Shelter.
2. The project allows people biking to avoid a high stress gap at Pershing Ave/Telegraph Rd intersection where 85% of drivers roll through stop signs.
3. The proposed bike lanes will provide a buffer space from traffic for people walking on the sidewalk.
4. This safety project requires a trade-off in convenience for a small number of drivers by removing some underused travel lanes and eliminating one of two left turn lanes on Stovall St and Mill Rd. 
5. Our city’s plans: Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, Complete Streets Work Plan, Eisenhower East Small Area Plan, Energy and Climate Change Action Plan, and Vision Zero Plan support this short but important segment of bike lane.
6. The project helps make the case to add protection to the Jamieson Ave bike lanes and extend them through from Dulany St to Holland Ln as part of a future project.