Alexandria Council to Decide Russell Road Safety Project Next Month

Twenty parking spaces on Russell Road stand to be eliminated under the Safe Routes to School Project, a change that will determine the final fate of the safety improvements near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School. City staff confirmed on Monday that appeals regarding the project have been scheduled for review by the Alexandria City Council on Nov. 14. The Council will evaluate the full proposal and the specific appeals before casting a final vote on the design.

The proposal currently under review, known as Option 2, includes painted curb extensions, high-visibility crosswalk markings, and improved ADA curb ramps at six intersections. It also calls for a new pedestrian crossing at W. Chapman Street and the installation of three median crossing islands. These features were selected to address safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

The path to this final decision was marked by shifting priorities regarding on-street parking. In July, the Traffic and Parking Board initially voted to support Option 2, accepting the loss of twenty spaces between W. Myrtle and W. Maple Streets. At that time, public testimony largely favored the safety enhancements over the preservation of parking spots. However, written comments from residents raised concerns about the impact on staff parking at the nearby elementary school.

In response to those concerns, Transportation and Environmental Services Director Leah Riley proposed a revised plan in August. This alternative, labeled Option C, sought to limit the net loss of parking spaces to two by adding loading zones and adjusting the number of median islands. Riley argued that this compromise would balance safety improvements with the needs of school employees.

The board rejected Riley’s parking additions in September. They voted against creating five on-street parking spaces in the 600 block of Russell Road and two restricted loading zones in the same block. They also opposed the addition of six on-street spaces on Johnston Place. Despite the board's vote, Riley indicated that her department would proceed with adding the six spaces on Johnston Place.

Riley explained her decision in a letter to the board dated Oct. 2. She stated that the addition of spaces on Johnston Place would alleviate parking demand and support school employees, noting that their numbers are increasing this year. The city is now moving forward with the project to align the road changes with the scheduled repaving of Russell Road in 2027.