A community meeting to share concepts for potential changes to improve Seminary Road for all users, originally scheduled for Thursday, October 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., has been postponed until a later date to be determined.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has recently notified the City that Transurban, the I-395 Express Lanes concessionaire, is proposing to evaluate the current use of the Seminary Road high-occupant vehicle-only (HOV) ramp and to consider potential operational changes at the ramp for express lane/high-occupancy toll (HOT) traffic.
Prior to this new information, staff had performed a traffic study which it used to develop concepts and materials in advance of the Seminary Road community meeting. Those materials will be posted on the project website by Thursday.
However, based on this new information, staff believes it is appropriate to postpone the community meeting until staff can fully evaluate any analysis or proposal by Transurban. Transurban has informed the City that it is beginning a traffic data collection effort in October to inform its proposed analysis. The City intends to closely monitor this effort so that it can actively participate in the process and data-gathering methodology. The City’s Seminary Road project team will also update the existing Seminary Road analysis once any new information comes available.
As soon as the Seminary Road project team can update its analysis, a new meeting time and location will be announced. Staff will also update the project website as new information comes available.
Seminary Road is a key corridor in the City of Alexandria’s transportation network. The Vision Zero Action Plan, Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and Safe Routes to School Plan Program recommendations all identify potential safety and mobility improvements for Seminary Road. The City's Complete Streets Policy recommends that staff use repaving as an opportunity to consider and incorporate changes to enhance the safety and convenience of all users.
Visit the Seminary Road Complete Streets study website for more information.