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Nine Washington & Old Dominion Trail crossings in Fairfax County could receive high-visibility stop signs under a safety initiative awaiting approval from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation and NOVA Parks, which owns the 45-mile regional trail, are working together on the proposal. The signs would remind motorists that state law requires them to stop for pedestrians and cyclists in crosswalks.
FCDOT spokesperson Jennifer DeAngelis said the signs are expected to tell drivers to “stop for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk.” Officials hope the added warnings will reduce near misses and crashes where popular trails intersect with streets.
The W&OD Trail crossings under consideration are:
- Buckthorne Lane, Michael Faraday Drive, Sunrise Valley Drive and Sunset Hills Road in Reston
- Hunter Mill Road in the Wolf Trap area near Reston
- Cedar Lane and Sandburg Street in Dunn Loring
- Shreve Road and Virginia Lane in Idylwood
FCDOT is also considering similar signage where the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail crosses Outlet Road in Lorton.
DeAngelis said the locations were selected because Fairfax County residents and visitors use the crossings heavily.
There is no firm installation schedule because VDOT must approve the signs. FCDOT plans to work with the state agency to secure the necessary permission.
The initiative surfaced during a broader W&OD Trail safety discussion at the NOVA Parks Board of Directors meeting on March 19. That presentation also contributed to the board’s approval the following month of expanded operating hours for the trail’s western end in Herndon and Loudoun County.
In a separate project, the Town of Herndon announced in March that it would install its first Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at the W&OD Trail crossing on Crestview Drive near Old Heights Road. Once activated, its flashing lights will remind drivers to stop while pedestrians, cyclists and other trail users cross.