Fairfax County will lower speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph on 10 road segments in the Dranesville, Mason and Providence districts this fall, the county announced Thursday.
The changes are part of a Fairfax County Department of Transportation pilot study to assess the effects of lower speed limits. The county says the goal is to make travel safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The lower limits will apply to the following stretches:
Dranesville District
- Douglass Drive, between Georgetown Pike and Baron Road.
- A short section of Baron Road, between Randolph Road and Ingleside Avenue.
- Ingleside Avenue, between Baron Road and Dolley Madison Boulevard, also known as Route 123.
Mason District
- Patrick Henry Drive, between Leesburg Pike and Beachway Drive.
- Peace Valley Lane, along the west side of Justice High School.
- Beachway Drive, between Patrick Henry Drive and Nevius Street.
- Nevius Street, between Leesburg Pike and Beachway Drive.
- Blair Road, between Beachway Drive and Glen Carlyn Drive.
Providence District
- Flagpole Lane, between White Granite Drive and Borge Street.
- Bushman Drive, between Borge Street and Blake Lane.
Transportation staff worked with district supervisors’ offices to choose the roads. They considered pedestrian activity, sidewalks, marked crossings, transit stops, schools and other community uses. Resident feedback and the county’s Vulnerability Index also informed the selections.
In May 2024, the Virginia General Assembly granted local governments authority to lower existing 25 mph limits on roads in business or residential districts. The county’s Board Transportation Committee directed staff to undertake the pilot study on Oct. 29, 2024.
After the first three pilot zones are installed, transportation staff will work with the remaining supervisors’ offices to establish zones in additional districts.
