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Traffic Signal Retimed to Alleviate Congestion at Busy Intersection

Hopes for a left-hand turn lane from Mt. Vernon Avenue onto South Glebe Road remain slim.

In an effort to improve north and southbound approaches to a busy intersection connecting Alexandria and Arlington, the traffic signal at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and South Glebe Road was recently retimed.

The cycle length of the signal was reduced in May by Arlington County to aid approaches to both Mt. Vernon Avenue and Arlington Ridge Road, especially in the peak morning periods.

Traffic routinely backs up on Mt. Vernon Avenue near the intersection in Arlandria during peak hours because vehicles have a hard time making the left turn onto Glebe Road.

The reduced cycle length does not provide the dramatic improvement that could be accomplished with the addition of turn lanes, but it does offer short-term mitigation, according to a memo from the Arlington Department of Transportation and the Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Resources.

Hopes of adding a left-hand turn lane from Mt. Vernon Avenue onto Glebe Road remain slim because of constraints within the intersection, the memo said. 

According to the memo, the intersection is too narrow to construct turn lanes within the existing right-of-way. Upgrading and expanding the intersection with a turn lane would require the use of parkland along Four Mile Run. Such a proposal would present “numerous challenges,” the memo said.

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Autoexec.bat July 11, 2012 at 02:24 am
Left turn signal or GTFO.
heydelray July 11, 2012 at 11:28 am
For some, there is always the option of heading to West Glebe Rd via Mt Vernon, or using Russell Rd and not approaching this E Glebe/Mt Vernon intersection. If there's not room for a turn lane, there's not room.
Lindsey July 11, 2012 at 11:35 am
Currently there Mount Vernon Ave has two lanes heading north at that intersection - why not turn one of those into a left turn only lane and have all traffic going straight or turning right pass through the other lane?
John Fuller July 11, 2012 at 11:36 am
Why does Arlington County insist on solving the left-turn problem only with the addition of a left-turn lane? Why can't they simply add a left-turn arrow to the light's cycle and paint the left lane with the combination arrow for left and straight ahead? i called them once and got an "It's complicated and would make matters worse" response.
Blair July 11, 2012 at 02:13 pm
The east and westbound traffic at that intersection each get their lights, thus alleviating any turn issues. Why can the same not be done for the north and southbound traffic?
Betty July 11, 2012 at 02:25 pm
I totally agree with Lindsey and John
Joseph M. July 11, 2012 at 06:56 pm
Drew, can you post the memo? It doesn't appear to be available on Arlington or Alexandria's websites. Maybe it will answer some of the questions in the comments above.
Drew Hansen (Editor) July 11, 2012 at 07:06 pm
I only have a paper copy. There was no mention of a left-turn signal. The meat of the memo is in the story. I think I should be able to scan it in and attach it as a PDF. I'll try to get to it soon.
Drew Hansen (Editor) July 11, 2012 at 08:08 pm
Just attached the memo.
Pete July 11, 2012 at 10:17 pm
Reading the memo, it does seem complicated and possible to make matters worse. But while it's understandable that converting the leftmost northbound and southbound Mt. Vernon Ave. through lanes into protected left (or left/through) lanes would result in the need to add some time to that cycle's through green for pedestrians to cross, I see no comparison of how much extra time that would be (fifteen or twenty seconds?) with how many more cars would make it through the left turns. Seems Arlington has made up its mind that it's a full rebuild or nothing. I'm loath to suggest studying that more because things get studied to death here, but it seems warranted.
Kate Theisen July 11, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Lindsey and John's approaches both make sense. Lindsey's works especially well since Arlington Ridge Road immediately goes down to one lane anyway.
Betty July 12, 2012 at 01:37 am
Most of the traffic driving north on Mt. Vernon, including the 10B bus, turns left at S. Glebe. Just make one lane a dedicated left-turn lane and add 15 seconds to the cycle for left turns from both Arlington Ridge and Mt. Vernon as Pete suggests. Why does it need a complicated study? Data must be available from studies at similar intersections.
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Cameron Miller May 13, 2013 at 11:33 am
Treating mental illness and catching it early is particularly important in a State like ours thatRead More has concealed carry gun laws. If we look at the examples of murders in Virginia that were committed by people with concealed carry permits, we will see that they frequently involved the murder of family members. Perhaps early intervention and treatment might have saved lives in these cases. We know the chances of strengthening gun laws in Virginia are next to nil, so we had better start looking at ways to make sure that the people who legally have the guns are mentally and emotionally equipped to do so.
Dan Sweeney, Jr. May 13, 2013 at 04:38 pm
I believe that Del. Krupicka's forum on this very important subject will be held on Saturday, MayRead More 18, starting at 11:30 at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. (west of Route 1 near the Beltway).
Virginia Law May 27, 2013 at 12:16 am
A vote for Bryan Porter will be a vote to continue in the corrupt path that the City of Alexandria'sRead More Judicial System is on - We have Judges - Kemler, Dawkins and Clark who rule on Favoritism and Cronyism instead of the laws and the rules of the United States Constitution,the Virginia Constitution and the Supreme Court. Most cases that enter the courts in the City of Alexandria have been decided prior to going to trial. It is the attorney that can help one of these Judges that will win for his client - and for those attorneys that don't play the game - they will always loose and so will there clients - and they can be as has been done in the past threatened with bodily harm - Chicago has been known as the City of " Pay to Play "- Alexandria and the democrats are no different here - The line "Pay to Play" represents the Judicial System in Virginia and the City of Alexandria -
Jonathan Krall April 30, 2013 at 05:06 pm
Looking at the satellite view, it seems there are great huge piles of condos and apartments to theRead More east, southeast (across Duke and Van Dorn) and northeast (across 395). The key to success is to put in the needed pedestrian and bicycle connections.
Kevin H. Posey April 30, 2013 at 08:39 pm
Excellent example regarding Cameron Station. The thinking was that the commercial strip would beRead More supported by the residential areas within Cameron Station. It didn't really work. There are a few businesses that serve the community, but it's nothing like the architectural renderings depicted. The new Landmark will be similar, but with even fewer residents to pull from. As Jonathan points out above, a mere look at Google Earth reveals large residential areas that Landmark should be able to pull from, but can't due to an outmoded road network that Hughes and City staff have not addressed in the first, and most critical, stages.
Max May 2, 2013 at 06:14 pm
Shouldn't the New High Street Bridge handle the pedestrians? How about a pedestrian bridge fromRead More EOS21?
Leslie Hagan April 19, 2013 at 06:20 pm
You did a wonderful job Susan. ACPS was lucky to have you.
m horner April 20, 2013 at 03:11 pm
The students of Alexandria benefited greatly from your leadership of the Scholarship Fund ofRead More Alexandria. Alexandria City Public Schools is losing an exceptional employee and individual.
lynnhampton April 21, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Under Susan leadership the fund grew scholarships in both size and quantity. This is a greatRead More accomplishment. But Susan also inspired students to go to college. TC students learned how to apply for additional scholarships and financial aid. TC students helped with fund raising and the telethon, providing their own skin in the game. TC students get help in preparing personal statements for the college entrance process. When you see the students receive their scholarship, you begin to understand how Susan and SFA inspires our kids. Congratulations to Susan for an amazing run. Our many TC grads have you to thank for successful careers.
Jeff Etten April 18, 2013 at 05:56 pm
I think a Barnes & Noble should move onto the Avenue to compete with our new Little FreeRead More Library, forcing it to become more competitive. #Walgreens Obviously I'm kidding. This is a wonderful addition to our little neighborhood. There are so many nice things about Del Ray they no longer surprise me. I simply think to myself "Yep, That makes since in this neighborhood."
Lewis April 18, 2013 at 06:36 pm
Well put, and I'll join you in contributing a few books.
Cathy April 18, 2013 at 09:58 pm
Awesome! I was wishing we had one in the neighborhood. I was thinking of starting one myself, butRead More lacked the tools and skills to build one. I'll bring over some books for it sometime. (Love the poetry fence, too.)
James Dunning April 13, 2013 at 04:34 am
David, So the moral of the story is that the next time you and your boyfriend are randomly walkingRead More around a dog park scared and confused about dogs (without dogs of your own) one should have a cell phone? I am so confused. You and you partner enjoy wandering around dog parks, without dogs of your own, and without a mobile phone. What else is missing in this relationship, condoms? For the sole purpose of whining on this forum? Can I get your job by chance? You seem to be low work output, sounds like a fed employee.
Leslie Hagan April 13, 2013 at 05:00 am
Mr. Dunning, My husband died six months ago.
Drew Hansen (Editor) April 13, 2013 at 01:13 pm
I'm closing comments on this thread. If you have any questions, email me at drewh[at]patch.com.