City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 5, 2026
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: LEAH RILEY, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Appeals Related to the Russell Road Safe Routes to School Improvements Project.
BODY
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of appeals associated with the Russell Road Safe Routes to School Improvements Project.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council retain the traffic control devices in the T&ES Director’s Modified Alternative C for Russell Road.
BACKGROUND: The Russell Road Safe Routes to School Improvements Project covers Russell Road between West Myrtle Street and West Maple Street near Naomi Brooks Elementary School. The project advances recommendations from the City’s Safe Routes to School walk audit for Naomi Brooks Elementary and furthers Complete Streets Five-Year Work Plan in conjunction with planned roadway repaving in spring 2027. This aligns with the adopted Complete Streets Policy to consider improvements in coordination with regular street maintenance. Improvements are intended to reduce vehicle speeds, increase pedestrian visibility, shorten crossing distances, and improve access for students, families, and other roadway users.
DISCUSSION: The City developed and shared two design concepts with the community. Concept 1 emphasized painted curb extensions and minimized parking impacts; Concept 2 incorporated median pedestrian refuge islands at additional crossings, with greater parking removal. Staff engaged the Rosemont Civic Association, school faculty and staff, the Naomi Brooks PTA, and residents through meetings, online concept review, and written comments. During the comment period, staff received approximately 170 comments.
On July 27, 2026, staff recommen...
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