Studies
McLean Area Traffic Analysis
Evaluating potential solutions for congestion in Fairfax County
About the Study
Since 2017, VDOT and Fairfax County have worked with the community to identify both short-term, intermediate and long-term solutions to mitigate potential congestion solutions for neighborhoods near I-495 (the Capital Beltway).
As a result of analyses, public outreach and input collected, VDOT will not pursue the proposed pilot to limit access from Georgetown Pike to northbound I-495. Moving forward, VDOT and Fairfax County will continue to evaluate other proposals and solutions, which include potential intersection improvements at Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike—a joint effort with the county that is currently in design with need for construction funding—and potential timed turn restrictions at Dead Run Drive and Carper Street. As alternatives are further evaluated, public outreach and input will continue to be an important component of consideration and will help guide recommendations.
Short-term solutions that have been implemented to mitigate neighborhood congestion include installation of temporary traffic monitoring cameras that are linked to 511, larger “Do not Block the Intersection” signs, additional “No U-turn” signs, orange flags placed on the signs, increased police enforcement to prevent illegal traffic movements at the intersection, widening the shoulder on north side of Georgetown Pike at the intersection of Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike for increased police enforcement and painting the box approaching the intersection to encourage drivers not to stop in the middle of the intersection.
Intermediate solutions include forming the McLean Traffic Advisory Group (MTAG) that represents neighborhood traffic issues to communicate with neighbors, initiating cut through restriction process with Dead Run/Carper neighborhood, assessing the concept of improvements at Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike intersection, reviewing Douglass Drive and Georgetown Pike intersection, additional coordination with local stakeholders and Fairfax County Public Schools to improve safety around Cooper Middle School, and reviewing other possible alternatives to improve congestion in the area.
Long-term solutions include continued coordination with Maryland on proposed improvements to the American Legion Bridge, which include the start of an environmental analysis on plans to study extending the I-495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange to the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge and Maryland line. A public meeting on this study is expected in early 2019; all who are interested are invited to attend.
The project team has presented information to the public at meetings held in September 2017 and several times in 2018. Meeting materials can be viewed below under "Resources" below.
The team will continue to carefully consider new ideas submitted through the latest meetings and comments, and will compile an updated list with responses similar to the first version published in 2017.
Resources
Fourth Community Meeting Materials - October 2018
Third Community Meeting Materials - August 2018
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Transportation Committee Presentation - July 2018
Second Community Meeting - May 2018
Presentation and Handout Packet
Citizen Idea Matrix Update - December 2017
First Community Meeting - September 2017
Comment Responses, Meeting Notes, Presentation, Comment Sheet, FCDOT Neighborhood Area Map, FCDOT Cut-Through Restriction Handout, FCDOT North McLean RTAP Project List, Citizen Idea Matrix
I-495 Volume Around Route 193 and George Washington Memorial Parkway - August 2017