**** Draft, June 13, 2016 – AS OF YET NOT APPROVED, PENDING DISCUSSION AND VOTE AT NEXT BMCA MEETING ***
Motion:
The BMCA recommends that the County extend the Wilson Boulevard lane reconfiguration project from North Manchester Street westward to the County Line, or at least past Livingston Street.
Rationale:
• The lane reconfiguration for Wilson Boulevard from North Manchester Street to North Edison Street has greatly improved the safety and comfort of pedestrians and bicyclists traveling in the corridor, due to the buffer provided by the bike lane and decreased vehicular travel speed.
• The County’s After Implementation Traffic Analysis (April 2016) documents only a slight increase in travel time through the corridor (15 seconds) and no observed impact on safety or cut-through traffic through our neighborhood.
• Where the lane reconfiguration was made, travel speed has decreased; however, to the west of the project, vehicular travel speeds have increased between N. Larrimore Street and N. Arlington Mill Drive. Despite the steep grade uphill, westbound travel speeds have increased from 34 to 39 mph. The 85th percentile speed is now nearly 10 mph over the speed limit. This excessive speed puts pedestrians crossing Wilson Blvd between Livingston and Manchester at greater risk, including Ashlawn and DHARA families crossing Wilson to the school or the swimming pool. Bicyclists have reported a decreased sense of safety due to these conditions, with cars moving into the right lane as they speed up the hill.
• Extension of the reconfigured corridor west of Livingston will help to address current pedestrian safety issues at Livingston.
• Locating the transition anywhere between Livingston and Manchester (e.g., at Liberty) could introduce pedestrian and vehicular conflicts on a busy block that is home to a shopping center, the DHARA pool, and County Powhatan Springs skateboard park, and a mid-block crosswalk that serves the neighborhood elementary school.
In considering this proposal, the County should:
• Take before and after measurement of cross-traffic and turn movement delay at Livingston Street. Residents report safety issues and difficulties turning on/off Wilson at this intersection.
• Include a BMCA representative in any consultations and deliberations on the project.
The County’s Wilson Boulevard Demonstration Project After Implementation Traffic Analysis, April 2016 is available at: https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2016/04/Report.-Wilson-Blvd-After-Implementation-DRAFT-04-13-2016.pdf
*** Draft, June 13, 2016 – AS OF YET NOT APPROVED, PENDING DISCUSSION AND VOTE AT NEXT BMCA MEETING ***