GFCA General Membership Meeting

Please arrive early for membership verification

Pedestrian Crosswalk Project
The GFCA Transportation Chair, John Halacy, and other TRN members will brief the membership on the latest developments concerning a proposed Crosswalk Project from the Library to the Saul Center across Georgetown Pike.  The TRN Chair will review the several safety enhancements to the project that were presented to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) at a recent meeting. 

The enhancements were developed based upon comments from TRN Committee members who have been actively involved in this project since it was announced in January of 2023.  Some of the incremental safety measures that were presented include the upgrade of the proposed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB).  A PHB actually requires a vehicle to stop at the crosswalk when its red light signal is activated by a pedestrian, as opposed to the lower cost alternative of the amber flashing lights that are used in the RRFBs.  TRN members also requested additional advance warning signage to drivers to alert them of a crosswalk ahead, and the possible addition of textured pavement similar to that applied to Georgetown Pike east of Old Dominion Drive at the sharp curve, and at Utterback Store Road on approach to the School Zone. 

These additional safety measures were rejected by FCDOT representatives.  Additionally, FCDOT confirmed during a February ZOOM that neither FCDOT nor VDOT conducted a speed or safety analysis before this crosswalk project was initiated and there is no indication that they are willing to conduct one at this time.  Accordingly, TRN representatives have formulated two questions for consideration by the membership:

• Question #1: Is it the sense of the members that additional safety measures may be warranted?
• Question #2: Is it the sense of the members that no further safety measures should be sought?

Other questions will be invited from the floor during the meeting.  

Walker Road Bridge Replacement Project
TRN representatives will provide updates on the Walker Road Bridge replacement project. In May of 2023, the GFCA membership voted for a resolution seeking a pause in the Walker Road Bridge project until safety studies were completed to determine the impact of the Virginia Department of Transportation’s proposed two-lane bridge.  The VDOT plan would remove the current forced yield at the existing bridge.  To date, VDOT has not ordered a safety study that was requested by Senators Boysko and Favola on September 11, 2023.  VDOT continues to indicate that the bridge project will proceed, as planned.