WIN! Action Alert: South Pickett Street

Use your First Amendment Right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances on South Pickett Street

Our Petition: A Safe and Sustainable S. Pickett Street

This project was appealed to city council.

The Traffic and Parking Board unanimously approved staff’s recommendation for a safer, multimodal design. This decision was appealed to the City Council which hold a hearing on November 16. Please send a message to the City Council – let them know you support Traffic & Parking Board’s recommendation.

Existing ConditionsThe Safe & Sustainable Design

Our Grievance: Despite having 85 crashes since 2018 and being designated to become a complete street in the Eisenhower West Small Area Plan, some Alexandrians are fighting to keep it as is – a dangerous road. Right now, South Picket St is designed for cars with posted a speed limit of 35 MPH, but cars go as fast as 60 MPH! There are no bike facilities and several high risk uncontrolled crossings making it dangerous and uncomfortable for pedestrians to cross. Missing are safe, all ages-all abilities bike infrastructure and modern pedestrian safety features.  Just like other multi lane roads in our city this existing design is unsustainable because it prioritizes cars and does not help move Alexandria to meet its multimodal, environmental, health and economic goals.

Take Action to Change S. Pickett !

1. Send a note to City Council now

Level of Effort: 15 minutes in your pajamas.

Deadline:  by 15 November.

Go to the city’s 311 website:

  • Dropdown Menu selection:’ALL Members’
  • Select: Legislative or Policy Issue
  • Select ‘Yes’ for upcoming meeting
  • In “Additional Information’, paste your comments

Suggested Feedback:

 “I support the Traffic & Parking Board’s recommendation, to redesign the street to maintain similar travel times as today while including one motor vehicle travel lane in each direction, safer pedestrian crossings with median islands, protected bicycle lanes, bus boarding islands, curb extensions, as well as no right turn on red and a 25MPH speed limit.   This would make this growing area safer for pedestrians, and also help move the City towards a safer, connected low stress bike network” 

2.  Testify Supporting Traffic & Parking Board’s Recommendation.

When: Saturday 16 November, 9:30 AM.  

Choice 1: Speak Via Zoom  

Level of Effort:  An hour or so from home (you can fold your laundry, match the plastic lids with their containers while you wait to speak, use a headset). The Mayor reads off the next 4-5 names after every speaker so you will have a 10 minute heads up for when you testify.

Where: Sign Up Here for docket # 9 and you can testify on your couch

Suggested feedback: Similar to above but add your own experience on Pickett.  

Choice 2: Speak In Person 

Level of Effort: A couple of hours

When: Saturday 16 November, 9:30 AM.  

Where: City Hall, in the Council Chamber on the second floor. When you enter the Council Chambers, fill out a speaker form located on the table near the door or fill it out online ahead of time (docket # 9).

Suggested feedback: Similar to above, but add your own experience on Pickett if possible