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Share your feedback on Wilson Boulevard

Thank you for your interest; this engagement closed on 6/10/21. More information about the project status can be found on the project page.

Please share your experiences of the street!

Your experiences will help inform the development of concept plan, along with other available information, such as plan guidance and crash data. Thank you for helping improve our projects to better meet your needs!

Ayúdenos a comprender su experiencia actual de Wilson Boulevard
Sus experiencias nos ayudarán a informar el desarrollo del plan conceptual, junto con otros datos disponibles, tales como la orientación del plan y los datos de choques. ¡Gracias por compartir sus experiencias con nosotros!

Comments

Commenting is closed for this document.

epotter@arlingtonva.us Jun 11 2021 at 12:03PM on page 1

Comment received via email: "The crossing light at Puppatella should always indicate walk whether OR NOT someone pushes the crossing light button. The reason is that folks walk a few feet from the two restaurants and often find the green light for them and they start walking without the benefit of the timer. This is dangerous. The timer only comes on if someone pushes the button, but those approaching on foot will walk if the light is green and get caught short." - CS

epotter@arlingtonva.us Jun 11 2021 at 12:02PM on page 1

Comment received via email: The situation by Safeway continues to be hazardous as drivers speed west to get around left hand turners and slower (doing the speed limit) drivers at N. Emerson BECAUSE the lanes go from two to ONE lane. - CS

in reply to Laura Kirkconnell's comment

Allen norton Jun 10 2021 at 4:48PM on page 1

There is a painted solid line on the right-lane of N. Edison Street set back one car length from Wilson Blvd. If cars are supposed to stop at that line at the red light then that intersection is in effect No-Right-Turn-On-Red. If that is true then there really should be a big sign at the corner saying No-Right-Turn-On-Red. If it is not intended that that intersection be No-Right-Turn-On-Red then the solid line should be removed.

Allen norton Jun 10 2021 at 4:22PM on page 1

The right lane becomes Right-Turn Only right at the Safeway entrance. But when the trees along Wilson Blvd bloom in the Spring the West-bound drivers in the right lane can't see the Right-Turn Only warning sign. That sign needs to be bigger and higher.

Allen norton Jun 10 2021 at 4:10PM on page 1

The Stop for Pedestrian-State Law sign at the East end of the median strip should be removed. All it does is give pedestrians a false sense of security. East-bound drivers can not even see the sign because of trees in the median strip. West-bound drivers can see the sign and the pedestrian on the median strip, but if they stop they are in the middle of an intersection and can get hit from three directions. Stop for Pedestrian-State Law signs work fine on two-lane roads. They don't work well on four-lane roads.

in reply to SG's comment

Allen norton Jun 10 2021 at 3:57PM on page 1

I have noticed numerous times at this crosswalk that if the lead East-bound car stops level with the Urban Farmhouse the cars behind him can not pass him. If the lead East-bound car go just a few feet into the intersection before stopping then the cars behind him have enough room to pass him and force the pedestrian to jump out of the way. I suggest you put a bump out with plastic bollards right around the crosswalk to force drivers to stay to the left. It need not be more than 15' long. A bike lane would be nice, but there is a bus stop just before Emerson and also people do have to be able to turn right at Emerson.

in reply to Melody's comment

Laura Kirkconnell Jun 10 2021 at 3:48PM on page 1

Is there a way you could mark a bike path for the best (or least dangerous) way to get from from one part of the Bluemont Junction Trail to the continuation of the Bluemont Junction Trail? Could that be done in a way that makes drivers more aware that cyclists are using this route to get across this intersection of N. George Mason Drive with Wilson Blvd?

Kate Mattos Jun 10 2021 at 3:38PM on page 1

The flashing light crosswalk at Wilson and N. Emerson has been a huge improvement! Please keep this.

in reply to Aila's comment

Jody Harrington Jun 9 2021 at 8:42PM on page 1

all of the sidewalks between Jefferson and Glebe need to be widened. Very unsafe

in reply to Laura Kirkconnell's comment

Jody Harrington Jun 9 2021 at 8:41PM on page 1

perhaps a four way left turn signal?

in reply to Laura Kirkconnell's comment

Jody Harrington Jun 9 2021 at 8:38PM on page 1

this is a very heavily travelled crosswalk from Pupatela to the Safeway parking lot. it needs flashing lights for pedestrians.

in reply to Fahd Patel's comment

Collier Cook Jun 9 2021 at 7:25PM on page 1

Yes, a Barnes Dance crossing would be very beneficial for trail users at this intersection.

Collier Cook Jun 9 2021 at 7:17PM on page 1

Widen the sidewalk along northbound George Mason from the intersection to the paved trail. This pinch point could be addressed by expanding the sidewalk into the one or two on-street parking spaces along this stretch of roadway.

in reply to Ritch Viola's comment

S. S. Sundburg Jun 9 2021 at 6:20PM on page 1

Though I understand everyone's desire to expand sidewalks and add bike lanes, we all wanted the same things when the county invested $1 million w/the ATM project to improve pedestrian (creating the pedestrian refuges) and vehicular safety along this commercial stretch of Wilson. Right of way is constrained. Likewise, there are many people stopping to turn both right and left to access local businesses. You have a large number of school buses coming in and out via N. Edison and Frederick Streets. And you have a slow-down westbound before Frederick, when thru-traffic funnels down to 1 lane (the right-hand westbound lane next to Safeway is a dedicated right-turn-only lane. These are the reasons why we still have 2 lanes each way. I'm uncertain about the traffic counts you've noted per lane. According to VDOT's 2019 data, average weekday counts are 13,000/day at N. Geo. Mason and 14,000 at N. Larrimore St. (the two endpoints). Because the westbound right-hand lane next to Safeway is a dedicated turn lane, you don't have 4 thru-lanes in this section, just 3 lanes. link

SG Jun 9 2021 at 6:18PM on page 1

Is it possible to extend this left turn lane? Traffic backs up as there are many cars waiting to turn left from GM to Wilson. Or make the green left arrow longer. Or have the green arrow at the start of the light and again at the end (to account for the 'leftovers' waiting to turn left).

in reply to Gillian Burgess's comment

S. S. Sundburg Jun 9 2021 at 5:42PM on page 1

I agree that all the sidewalks in this area are too narrow, and it would be ideal for them to be widened. However, this is typically a function of inadequate right of way that prevents sidewalk expansion. And unless something has changed recently, Key—like ATS—is a choice school with a lottery. There has never been a walk zone preference for children living in the Bluemont neighborhood to attend ATS, and most students arrive by private vehicle (with some by bus) because they are traveling from outside the neighborhood. Bluemont has not had a neighborhood school since Stonewall Jackson Elementary was closed circa 1970.

S. S. Sundburg Jun 9 2021 at 5:32PM on page 1

Please retain the traffic islands which provide a safe place to shelter between lanes when crossing Wilson on foot or by bike.

in reply to Gillian Burgess's comment

S. S. Sundburg Jun 9 2021 at 5:30PM on page 1

Key, like ATS, will continue to be a "choice" school with a lottery. And unless something has changed recently, Key won't offer a preference to students living within its walk zone. As with ATS, the majority of Key students will arrive by bus or private vehicle as most are traveling from outside the Bluemont neighborhood.

in reply to Fahd Patel's comment

S. S. Sundburg Jun 9 2021 at 5:25PM on page 1

Many people living north of Wilson use the light at N. Edison Street (on the north side of Wilson) to make a safe left turn onto eastbound Wilson Blvd. Moreover, the light at Edison and Wilson is essential for the school buses. Visibility from N. Frederick Street is poor for taking a left turn onto Wilson. The signal at N. Edison provides the safest option.

in reply to Andy Eschbacher's comment

S. S. Sundburg Jun 9 2021 at 5:19PM on page 1

Unless something has changed recently, the nearby school is still a "choice" school w/a lottery (even though it will be Key vs. ATS). There is no walk-zone preference for local children, so the number of kids walking to school here should be minimal. I'm not opposed to mark crosswalks, but you don't have many (if any) students walking to this particular school. Most kids arrive by bus or private vehicle.

Maureen Jun 9 2021 at 3:52PM on page 1

The sidewalks on Wilson from the corner of G Mason to Glebe Rd. are dangerously narrow making it impossible for disabled and most strollers, let alone people walking in opposite directions, to remain on the sidewalks. They should be widened and the utility poles removed.

in reply to Ritch Viola's comment

Neil C Jun 9 2021 at 3:31PM on page 1

I find drivers speed up right here as the single land expands to two making the sharrows even more harrowing - especially at night. It could be worth keeping as one lane up to the George Mason Drive intersection to keep the bike lane and put in bike boxes for turning.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Neil C Jun 9 2021 at 3:28PM on page 1

Echoing most of the comments already here. This corner sidewalk often forces cyclists to risk waiting in the road if trying to connect the bluemont trail while only a couple pedestrians fill the entire sidewalk.

Fahd Patel Jun 9 2021 at 11:53AM on page 1

This would be a perfect intersection for a diagonal crosswalk like in gallery place (7th and H). Many people follow the trail and need to cross the street 2x to get from one side of the trail to another. A diagonal crossing would allow just a single crossing. The diagonal crossing could includes separate areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Fahd Patel Jun 9 2021 at 11:51AM on page 1

Agreed. Even for just a single pedestrian, this corner is tiny. Plus, cars traveling northbound on George Mason coming around the bend accelerate to beat the traffic light while pedestrians are standing there. You almost have to lean on the retaining wall of the adjoining property to stay safely out of the way.

Fahd Patel Jun 9 2021 at 11:49AM on page 1

This bus stop is heavily used and could benefit from upgrades like a larger canopy to keep out the elements and real-time bus updates. Sometimes the bus is stops 10-20 feet before the actual stop, and people get confused and start walking back to board the bus before the bus stop. If the bus had a short dedicated lane to access the bus station, this would help with the loading confusion.

Fahd Patel Jun 9 2021 at 11:46AM on page 1

This light is a bit confusing because it doesn't apply to drivers south of Wilson in the parking lots. It only really has relevance for those on Edison St north of Wilson who are turning left onto Wilson, but there are few people making that turn. It might make sense to remove the light and force those drivers on Edison to turn right only onto Wilson. Those drivers who need to travel eastbound onto Wilson could do so from Frederick.

in reply to SG's comment

Mark Potts Jun 8 2021 at 8:45PM on page 1

Yes, I completely agree. Please extend the single lanes PAST the signaled crosswalk right before Emerson and perhaps until the second exit from the 7-11 parking lot. Many people cross at the signaled intersection, and 4 lanes is much more hazardous than two.

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:11PM on page 1

Protected bike lanes on each side of Wilson here would provide a lot of connections and solve a lot of issues. They would also get bikes off the sidewalk and provide a buffer between people walking and cars.

This is prime road diet material.

in reply to Nancy's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:10PM on page 1

If this connection were better, it would be possible for people riding large bikes or in large groups to use the side street as an alternative to the trail when the trail is busy.

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:07PM on page 1

This sidewalk is scary to navigate with kids.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:06PM on page 1

Agree. Also, drivers can go through the parking lot to Edison if they need to turn left.

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:05PM on page 1

There's not a good (low-stress, appropriate for kids) way to get from the school to the trail.

in reply to Andy Eschbacher's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:05PM on page 1

Agree. Same with those getting from the school to Pupatella or the trail.

in reply to JaneDoe's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:02PM on page 1

Agree. Either this driveway should be part of the signal, or moved out of the intersection.

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:02PM on page 1

The sidewalk connection to ATS/Escuela Key to the north is too narrow.

in reply to Melody's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:01PM on page 1

Instead, there should be a "Barnes dance" phase where people using the trail can cross diagonally.

in reply to Melody's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:01PM on page 1

Exactly. A "choose your own danger"

in reply to Ritch Viola's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 5:00PM on page 1

Allowing left turns *only* when a turn signal is green would address this issue.

in reply to Aila's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 4:59PM on page 1

Agree. Every left turn should have a signal and only allow turns while the signal is green, so that people can safely use the crosswalks.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 4:58PM on page 1

The bike box would get people biking in that direction off that sidewalk, freeing up some space. But it's not a total solution.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Gillian Burgess Jun 8 2021 at 4:57PM on page 1

Agreed. For people heading from SW to NE, one solution could be a bike box in front of the crosswalk, which would give bikes a place to wait for the light to change.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Mark Jun 8 2021 at 1:30PM on page 1

Came here to post the same comment Dexter already did. I endorse that as well as the follow up comments.

in reply to Ritch Viola's comment

adrian Jun 8 2021 at 10:32AM on page 1

I agree with Mr. Viola. Average weekday traffic per lane for this part of the road is only 3,000. Most of the rest of Wilson has much higher traffic (16,000 total per weekday, on both sides), but we have one car lane each way. Extending the bike-lane here makes the most sense.

Clifford A Roberts Jun 7 2021 at 11:05AM on page 1

Need more green time for left turn from NB George Mason to WB Wilson.

Aila Jun 7 2021 at 10:59AM on page 1

The sidewalk needs to be widened and the safety precautions to walk across entrances/exits to 711, Pupptatella and the gas station need improvement (on both Wilson Blvd and N Emerson St). As people are waiting to enter or exit these establishments, they are often idling right on the sidewalk, causing pedestrians to have to navigate behind cars (walking into the parking lot) or even walk in front of the car on Wilson Blvd itself trying to avert oncoming traffic at the sametime. Cars turning into and out of these establishments are generally not concious of the fact that they are driving right over a busy sidewalk where pedestrians have no room to safely circumvent them. This is especially the case with the very busy and packed Puppatella lot and mornings at 711 when folks are rushing in and out to grab their coffee.

in reply to Dexter Clifton's comment

Aila Jun 7 2021 at 10:49AM on page 1

Agree with this feedback. This is a very tight corner, especially for bikers or those with strollers or children in tow. The sidewalks creating this corner need to be widened, and the mounting to enter the sidewalk should be widened on both George Mason and Wilson Blvd. The stopping point for cars going northbound on George Mason should be pushed back further from the sidewalk entrance. I often feel I'm within inches of a stopping car if I'm crossing as cars are approaching a red light going northbound on George Mason.

Aila Jun 7 2021 at 10:44AM on page 1

A dedicated left-turn signal needs to be added for left turns from Wilson Blvd. onto northbound George Mason for the safety of pedestrians and drivers alike. It is incredibly difficult to see oncoming traffic on Wilson Blvd, particularly if there is a car turning left onto southbound George Mason on the other side of the intersection. Additionally, pedestrians are frequently crossing George Mason simultaneously and it is easy to miss them as drivers are so focused on looking out for oncoming cars as they attempt to make the left turn. This is an incredibly active intersection between the fact that it's part of the Blue Mount trail and frequently used by those that walk or bike to the Metro in mornings and evenings. Given there is already a dedicated left turn lane, I can't imagine it would be difficult to added a dedicated turn signal too.

Ritch Viola Jun 4 2021 at 3:45PM on page 1

It would be great if the bikelanes could be extended betwteen Frederick and George Mason Drive. If entire two blocks is not feasible then consider at least adding between Frederick and Emerson streets. Sharrow markings are of little help.

Sandra Cleva Jun 4 2021 at 3:42PM on page 1

Obviously streets need to be resurfaced as needed. Please consider additional lights for turning left at the intersection of George Mason and Wilson. Please do NOT make Wilson Blvd. one lane as it approaches George Mason in order to create a dedicated bike lane (admittedly I'm not sure whether this stretch of Wilson already has such a lane.) Reducing Wilson to one lane between the Safeway and Patrick Henry has been OK during the pandemic but will contribute to traffic backups once commuters return to work in larger numbers.

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