Pedestrian Safety

For a community of more than 1 million residents, Fairfax County remains one of the safest for pedestrian traffic.  This is due in part to Penny’s efforts to identify and improve pedestrian connections along major roadways.  Streets need to serve not just cars, but encourage safe pedestrian traffic to access friends, businesses, places of worship, parks, and libraries.

With Penny’s strong support, Fairfax County has embarked on a vigorous effort to improve pedestrian passage and safety, particularly at dangerous intersections.  Penny initiated the pedestrian bridge project and trail improvements over Holmes Run across from the Lake Barcroft Dam on Columbia Pike.  The final phase to complete the trail to Powell Lane is  scheduled for construction later this year.  After many pedestrian deaths and injuries, decades of delay, and broken promises at the state level, Penny secured funding for the pedestrian bridge across Route 50 at Seven Corners, which was opened to the public in May 2009. Sidewalk segments along Little River Turnpike in the Lincolnia area have been completed, and pedestrian improvements along Route 50 and Leesburg Pike from the Alexandria City Line to Seven Corners are currently in design.

Penny promoted the installation of more “countdown” pedestrian signals to let walkers know how long they have to cross an intersection, and has supported “raised crosswalks” for traffic calming projects to improve pedestrian safety in neighborhoods.  Pedestrian safety is just one more issue that Penny Gross has taken to heart, to improve the lives and safety of Mason District residents.