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After more than 10 hours of testimony and debate, the Alexandria City Council voted 4-3 on May 16 to remove most street parking from part of Braddock Road and make room for protected bicycle lanes and other safety upgrades.
The decision clears the way for a major redesign of the roughly 0.8-mile corridor between North West Street and Russell Road. It also upholds a February ruling by the city’s Traffic and Parking Board, denying an appeal by residents and local institutions seeking to retain the parking.
More than 100 residents and other stakeholders addressed the council during the closely watched hearing, highlighting sharp disagreements over safety, access and the effects on surrounding neighborhoods.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, and Council Members Canek Aguirre and Sandy Marks supported the redesign. Council Members John Chapman, Jacinta Greene and Abdel Elnoubi voted against it.
The plan calls for protected bike lanes along much of the corridor, fewer travel lanes in some areas to slow traffic, shorter pedestrian crossings and upgraded crosswalks. A commercial loading zone will also be created for nearby businesses.
Officials say the project is intended to make Braddock Road safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Transportation staff have also said it would better connect existing trails while providing a safer route to the Braddock Road Metro station and nearby schools.
Council members approved several adjustments in response to community concerns. A limited number of parking spaces will remain near Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and the city will consider additional crosswalks and accessibility upgrades as the design advances.
Parking loss dominated the public debate. Opponents said residents without driveways could face significant difficulties and warned that churches and other organizations depend on curbside spaces for visitors and congregants. Concerns were also raised about congestion and access for deliveries and services.
Supporters argued that the corridor needs stronger protections for people walking and cycling. They cited city data and community feedback indicating that many people consider the existing road unsafe for those forms of travel.
City staff will now proceed with detailed design work. Construction is expected in the coming years, with officials indicating that implementation could occur later in the decade.
Although the vote resolves the appeal and allows the project to advance, the narrow margin reflects continuing tension over how Alexandria should balance street safety, transportation options and neighborhood access.