Barcroft Neighborhood Conservation Plan
Transportation
Transportation
Barcroft is a community of quiet residential streets bordered by major arterials which carry heavy traffic. The original Barcroft subdivision was built with a grid of straight streets based on Columbia Pike. When the street network was later extended, some of the newer streets were aligned with Arlington Boulevard or South Pershing Drive. Most of the neighborhood's street alignment problems result from this evolution. Today Barcroft is characterized by quiet east-west interior streets that carry local traffic, and longer north-south streets carrying faster moving cross-neighborhood traffic, including cut-through traffic attempting to avoid delays at intersections on the major boulevards.
A primary concern of Barcroft residents has been safety problems associated with speeding of cut-through traffic between the major arterials (see Map 4). This problem is most visible on South Pershing Drive, South Abingdon Street and South Buchanan Street. It is addressed under "Speeding" below. Barcroft would prefer tO deal with this problem through better traffic flow on the major external arteries, making them more attractive to motorists, and thus keeping the traffic on the roads which are equipped to handle it. Only as a last resort would the neighborhood want to hamper and restrict its own movements to discourage cut-through traffic. Some Barcroft residents believe, however, that the speeding problem and related cut-through traffic warrant much stronger measures to control speed and discourage cut-throughs.
Note:this paragraph was phophetic! Our Neighborhood Traffic Calming measures were installed beginning in 2002 when it became apparent that there was no alternative. Thus the paragraph above and the language below on nubs have been supereceded.
Another primary neighborhood concern has been to maintain safe access to and across the major arterials for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers of private vehicles, and users of public transit or paratransit. Speeding on the arterials compounds this access problem.
Street Configuration
Barcroft residents consider wide streets a blessing, and generally reject the use of nubs, speed bumps and other blocking devices at intersections as artificial hazards for our own neighborhood cars, bicycles, runners and pedestrians. In the one case where a nub was considered we have decided to request a wider street instead, to provide more room for normal driving. Should the County find that speed control through enforcement is impossible, the neighborhood might consider the use of pavement stripes of the type currently being used to narrow Lorcum Lane and South
Pershing Drive between Glebe Road and Washington Boulevard.
In some places stripes or markings may be needed to address a specific problem such as school crossings. The neighborhood has not identified exact locations.
Barcroft does not yet feel the need for a traffic management plan, but will propose one as an amendment to this Plan if it should become necessary.
Recommendation #6
Street Configuration for Safety and Convenience
A. The County should not use nubs to narrow intersections in Barcroft, nor install speed bumps. Speeding should be addressed in more constructive ways which do not add hazards for Barcroft residents using the streets.
B. The County should use striping and street markings where necessary in the neighborhood for safety. In particular the "Banana" stripe at the bend of South Pershing Drive at Pershing Court must be renewed regularly.
Arlington Boulevard
One of Barcroft's priorities is to maintain direct access to and across Arlington Boulevard, a highway which provides a vital east-west link for the County. Arlington's 1986 Master Transportation Plan (MTP) provides that neighborhood consultation and measures to minimize neighborhood
impact will be part of any future planning process to make Arlington Boulevard a more controlled access road. In addition the MTP states that traffic management techniques will be employed first before using further access controls.
Left turns from westbound Arlington Boulevard onto South Abingdon Street are difficult and dangerous at present. Barcroft residents who live near this intersection increasingly are using George Mason Drive instead, placing a greater traffic load on narrow, residential 4th Street South as they enter Barcroft there to reach the northern part of the neighborhood. Pedestrian crossings also are difficult at this intersection, where pedestrians have been hit by cars on Arlington Boulevard that run the light. Seniors and other slower-moving pedestrians are afraid to cross here. Periodically the timing of this light seems to vary. It sometimes leaves even swift-footed pedestrians too little time to cross safely, and sometimes makes cars crossing Arlington Boulevard wait for very long periods.
Recommendation #7
Arlington Boulevard Safety Enhancements
A. The County should work with the State to install a westbound off ramp from Arlington Boulevard to the service road between North Henderson Road and North George Mason Drive as a safety measure for exiting Arlington Boulevard. A left turning lane would be an acceptable alternative. Extension of the median to bar north-south crossing of Arlington Boulevard at South Abingdon Street would not be acceptable. It is essential to retain all turning movements at this key intersection.
B. The County should work with the State to add more effective signs to warn westbound Arlington Boulevard traffic of the upcoming South Abingdon Street/North Henderson Road intersection.
C. The County should periodically check to ensure that there is sufficient time for pedestrians to cross Arlington Boulevard at this intersection.
D. In accordance with the Master Transportation Plan, the County should consult with the community prior to any design changes at this intersection.
Arlington Blvd Service Drive/South Pershing Drive
There is restricted sight distance at the intersection of South Pershing Drive with the Arlington Boulevard Service Road. Due to the complication of 1st Place South entering at the intersection, the County has not placed a stop bar anywhere on the pavement. As a result, many cars do not stop for the stop sign, or stop part way into the service road. In addition, many drivers are not aware that the Service Road carries two-way traffic from the Unitarian Church parking lot to South Pershing Drive, and do not check for traffic from that direction, including pedestrians and bicyclists using the sidewalk from South George Mason Drive.
Recommendation #8
Arlington Boulevard/South Pershing Drive Improvements
A. The County should add a stop bar at the intersection of South Pershing Drive and the Arlington Boulevard Service Road.
B. The County should change the two way traffic on the Arlington Boulevard Service Drive between South Pershing Drive and George Mason Drive to one-way eastbound.
[Footnote 3: The County Board did not support this recommendation when the NC Plan was adopted.]
C. The County should add a sign directing drivers to check for pedestrians and bicyclists coming from the right before entering the Service Road.
Arlington Forest Access
The Arlington Forest Shopping Ceneer on Arlington Boulevard is important to Barcroft as a local retail and service center. Since this site is a particularly useful for residents of the northwestern part of the neighborhood, convenient access to it is important.
Recommendation #9
Access to Arlington Forest Shopping Center
A. The County should ensure that the timing of traffic lights on Arlington Boulevard at South Abingdon Street does not discourage Barcroft pedestrians and cars from reaching the Arlington Forest Shopping Center and other destinations north of Arlington Boulevard.
B. The County should maintain direct north-south access across Arlington Boulevard at South Abingdon Street/North Henderson Road.
[Footnote 4: When the County Board adopted this NC Plan, it reaffirmed the Master Transportation Plan's (MTP - adopted 1986) objective to pursue appropriate transportation management techniques prior to consideration of additional elements of a controlled access facility, and to include recommendations for alternate local connections to and across the road (see page 79, lines 3-12 of the MTP).
Four Mile Run Drive, South Buchanan Street and Columbia Pike
The misalignment of Four Mile Run Drive and South Buchanan Street causes conflicts of turning movements at this intersection. Realignment could be accomplished by changes in the Goodwill Store site if it is eventually redeveloped (see Map 5). Left turns from eastbound Columbia Pike are difficult. Barcroft residents would like to make this intersection safer for left turns from eastbound Columbia Pike without increasing cut-through traffic to Arlington Boulevard. The timing of the light at this intersection sometimes changes to give pedestrians too little time to cross Columbia Pike.
Recommendation #10
Columbia Pike Improvements at Four Mile Run Drive
A. The County should realign the eastern side of Four Mile Run Drive to meet Columbia Pike directly opposite South Buchanan Street.
[Footnote 5: Since implementation of this recommendation would require acquisition of a substantial portion of the Goodwill store parking lot, the County only would pursue this recommendation if the Goodwill store site redevelops.]
B. The County should improve the safety of turns from eastbound Columbia Pike to South Buchanan Street, keeping in mind the neighborhood's unwillingness to increase cut-through traffic to Arlington Boulevard.
C. The County should periodically check to ensure that the traffic signal at this intersection gives pedestrians enough time to cross Columbia Pike.
Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive
Barcroft residents have identified the intersection of Columbia Pike and George Mason Drive as a dangerous one. The County has begun studying the situation. The neighborhood awaits measures to upgrade safety at this intersection.
Recommendation #11
Columbia Pike Improvements at George Mason Drive
The County should take measures to improve the safety of the intersection of George Mason Drive and Columbia Pike.
South Pershing Drive/South Wakefield Street/3rd Street South
This intersection was identified on the neighborhood questionnaire as a problem for both cars and pedestrians. The main difficulty for pedestrians is crossing South Wakefield Street, while cars find it difficult to cross speeding traffic on South Pershing Drive. Some motorists traveling northbound on South Wakefield Street and turning right onto South Pershing Drive do not obey the stop sign.
Recommendation #12
Intersection Improvements
A. The County should enlarge and raise the island at South Pershing Drive/South Wakefield Street/3rd Street South to improve alignment and pedestrian safety.
B. The County should install the stop sign requested in Recommendation #16 below and take additional pedestrian safety measures as needed, including highly visible crosswalk markings and adding the words "School Crossing" to the graphic signs on Pershing Drive.
South George Mason Drive Entry to the Proposed National Guard Bureau and to the Foreign Service Institute Parking Lot
The neighborhood is not sure what to expect when these new entrances to the Arlington Hall property are opened. Traffic management measures, such as protected turning lanes, are needed for safe access. Traffic signals may be needed at least for peak periods.
Recommendation #13
Arlington Hall Entrances
The County and Federal agencies should take appropriate traffic management measures, including left turn lanes and traffic signals where necessary, to ensure safe traffic flow on South George Mason Drive at the new entrances to State Department and National Guard properties. The County should insist that both agencies be prepared to spend additional funds if unanticipated safety measures are found to be necessary after opening the entrances.
[Footnote 6: Current State Department redevelopment plans do not include a left turn lane at its entrance.]
Eighth Street South/South Taylor Street
Sightlines are poor at this badly-aligned intersection, where 8th Street South narrows as it mounts a hill, such that crossing South Taylor Street can be hazardous. Speeding also is a problem on this section of 8th Street South. Another problem is that 8th Street South is an on-street bicycle route with considerable bicycle traffic to Four Mile Run, and this section is too narrow to permit the passing of two cars and a bicycle.
Recommendation #14
Street Improvement [Footnote 7] |
The County should improve the sight distance at 8th Street South and South Taylor Street by (1) widening the pavement of 8th Street South between South Taylor Street and South Stafford Street to standard width and adding gutters in that block; (2) removing any shrubs in the right-of-way; and (3) regrading South Taylor Street at the intersection.
[Footnote 7: When the County Board adopted this NC Plan, it emphasized the importance of developing a design supported by adjacent property owners, the neighborhood and staff.]
Deadend Sign on 8th Street South at South Buchanan Street
Residents of 8th Street South at the dead-end section west of South Buchanan Street complain that many cars enter their block because there is no sign at South Buchanan Street warning that the block has no outlet. These cars turn around to exit, creating a nuisance to residents.
Recommendation #15
Missing Sign
The County should install "No Outlet" signs at the northwest corner of 8th Street South end South Buchanan Street.
Speeding
Barcroft residents perceive two types of speeding problems. They are particularly concerned about speeding traffic on the most frequently used neighborhood principal streets: South Pershing Drive, South Buchanan Street, South Wakefield Street and South Taylor Street. This problem is generally associated with cut-through traffic, although residents of the neighborhood also may be speeding. It gives rise to considerable opinion within the neighborhood that stronger measures are necessary to control speeding. Some residents believe that eliminating cut-through traffic would assist in achieving this goal, and are opposed to making access to the neighborhood from Columbia Pike and Arlington Boulevard easier.
Most of the recommendations below focus on intersection changes to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety. Pedestrian safety is a special problem on streets crossed by school children walking to and from Barcroft Elementary School, particularly at the corner of South Wakefield Street, South Buchanan Street and 3rd Street South. Despite a posted low speed limit, speeding continues to be a problem on South Pershing Drive at the three curves within the neighborhood. Two of these turns are full ninety degree corners, and all three can be a sudden shock for first-time users.
The second type of speeding problem identified is along the major arterials which surround the neighborhood. Cars turning into the neighborhood at various locations are threatened by speeders approaching from the front or rear as they make their turns. Right turns onto 4th Street South from southbound George Mason Drive are an example of this problem, since cars following behind the turning car tend to be speeding or following too closely.
Recommendation #16
Speed Limit Enforcement
A. The County should use prominent signs to warn drivers of the severity of the turns on South Pershing Drive at South Woodrow Street, Pershing Court and 6th Street South. The signs should indicate more emphatically the need for sharply reduced speed.
B. The County should install a four way stop sign at the intersection of South Pershing Drive, South Wakefield Street and 3rd Street South, and evaluate resulting changes in traffic patterns to determine if further measures are needed.
Footnote 8: When the County Board adopted this Plan, it did not support this recommendation.
Note: the stop sign was installed in 2002.
C. The County should conduct a traffic study of South Wakefield, South Buchanan and South Taylor Streets to determine if additional stop signs or other traffic measures on any of these three streets would offer a solution to Barcroft's speeding problems.
D. Within the neighborhood the County should routinely enforce the speed limit on South Pershing Drive, South Buchanan, South Taylor, and South Wakefield Streets, particularly during rush hours when cut-through traffic uses those streets.
E. On major access roads bordering Barcroft neighborhood the County should undertake routine speed limit enforcement to ensure the safety of pedestrian crossings and vehicles making turns.
F. The County should install another speed limit sign on southbound South George Mason Drive between 4th Street South and Columbia Pike, and improve the maintenance of the southbound speed control light on South George Mason Drive near 4th Street South.
Parking
The neighborhood has few parking problems, but there are two which should be addressed. In the past, cars double parked on the Arlington Boulevard Service Road outside the recessed spaces provided for parking posed a hazard to the two-way traffic. The neighborhood recognizes the adjacent residents' desire for convenient parking on this street, but believes the street width does not support parking outside the recessed spaces. This problem has been alleviated through the cooperative efforts of the adjacent property owners. Secondly, there are parking restrictions on some blocks of 4th Street South, South Taylor Street and 6th Street South installed during the period when Arlington Hall employees parked in Barcroft to avoid Federal parking fees. The problem was eliminated years ago, but residents are reluctant to remove the restrictions unless they are sure that the problem will not return. Any development, including parks, should have adequate on-site parking.
Recommendation #17 Parking
A. If congested parking problems resurface on the Arlington Boulevard Service Road between South Abingdon Street and South Pershing Drive, the County should install signs to limit parking to the recessed spaces.
B. The County should consult with the involved residents on South Taylor Street, 4th Street South and 6th Street South, to determine if the current parking restrictions should be removed.
Footnote 9: When the County Board adopted this NC Plan, it supported development of other options which address the neighborhood's safety concerns and the adjacent property owners' parking concerns.
Public Transit
Barcroft residents consider public transit one of the most powerful traffic control measures, and are keenly interested in transit routes to and within the neighborhood. A substantial number of residents surveyed responded that they would use public transit more frequently if (1) bus and rail fares were lowered (the questionnaire predated County action on this in 1989); if (2) bus service were more frequent and convenient; and if (3) there were more parking at the Ballston Metrorail Station. Others have noted that the bus stops on Columbia Pike are not well maintained, and that there is no shelter for bus riders on the north side of Columbia Pike at South Buchanan Street.
Access to the Ballston Metrorail Station is a continuing priority. The Ballston-Shirlington shuttle is a valued part of that access, although few Barcrofters now use the service, and many are not even aware that it exists. Some would prefer a minibus to taxi service. Additional paratransit, such as that recently included in the Master Transportation Plan's Paratransit Plan for the South George Mason Drive Corridor, is needed to provide convenient, frequent and well marked access to Ballston and other activity centers. Bus riders to the Pentagon Metro Station are devoted to preserving our neighborhood bus link, the 16X rush hour line through Barcroft.
Recommendation #18 Public Transit
A. The County should implement the suggestion of the Paratransit Plan to provide minibus service to Ballston for metrorail connections and shopping. It should also undertake additional pub1icity for the Ballston-Shirlington shuttle and consider use of a minibus instead of taxis.
Footnote 10: The County does not plan to pursue this proposal in the near future.
B. The County should urge Metro to provide better maintenance of the bus stops along Columbia Pike, and to install a shelter for bus riders on the north side of Columbia Pike at South Buchanan Street.
C. The County should urge Metro to continue to provide convenient bus service between Barcroft and the Metrorail stations at Ballston, Rosslyn and the Pentagon. This requires that the 16X route through Barcroft during rush hour be continued.
This page was revised on: August 28, 2004.
| 
Welcome to Barcroft Neighborhood