S. Arlington Ridge Road and S. Lang Street Safety Improvements
Location
S Lang St & S Arlington Ridge Rd, Arlington, VA 22202 View Map
StatusConstruction
The project at the intersection of S Arlington Ridge and S Lang was completed in February of 2021. The Gunston Middle School PTA requested pedestrian improvements at the intersection of S Arlington Ridge and S June/28th St. This project is under construction and will be completed in Spring of 2023.
Location
- Intersection of South Arlington Ridge Road and South Lang Street, near Gunston Middle School
- Intersection of South Arlington Ridge Road and 28th Street South/South June Street
County staff evaluated the intersection of South Arlington Ridge Road and 28th Street South/South June Street and designed curb extensions and a median for the intersection to facilitate the crossing of S Arlington Ridge Rd. Construction on this intersection is expected to be completed in spring of 2023.
Completed Portion
On July 18, 2020, the County Board approved a contract with M&F Concrete Inc. to construct the improvements at South Lang Street. Work began in November 2020 and was completed in March 2021.
Landscape plan for South Arlington Ridge Road and South Lang Street - click for larger version
About the Project
Arlington Ridge Road was included in the 2004 Arterial Transportation Management Study. The study suggested several recommendations to improve safety in this corridor for all modes of transportation. View the study’s proposed concept designs
Eliminating the slip lane
As part of our efforts to improve safety around school zones, this project will close the southbound Lang Street slip lane in order to eliminate the conflicts between pedestrians and drivers.
In May 2018 County staff conducted a pilot to verify that closing the slip lane would not back up traffic. The 3-day pilot showed acceptable levels of service and gaps between vehicles for safe turning movements.
The elimination of the Lang Street slip lane and other project design features will increase safety for Gunston students and residents wanting to cross South Lang Street and Arlington Ridge Road.
Other design features
A concrete median on Arlington Ridge Road will be installed and the existing bus laybys will be replaced with wider sidewalks for safer bus access and to shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians. The slip lane will be replaced with low maintenance shrubs and trees to increase green space.
Traffic data
South Arlington Ridge Road: posted speed limit is 25 mph, 20 mph at the intersection when school beacons are flashing.
Average speeds on the Lang Street slip lane and Arlington Ridge Road are 10 miles above the posted speed limit.
Average daily traffic volumes:
- South Arlington Ridge Road northbound: 4,770
- South Arlington Ridge Road southbound: 5,500
- South Lang Street (slip lane): 2,100
Public Process
County staff presented the proposed plan to the Arlington Ridge Civic Association on Jan. 17, 2019, and Sept. 18, 2019.
Residents can send comments on the design, especially on how the new green space can be used, to Ridgeroad_lang@arlingtonva.us
Funding
Project cost will be shared between Arlington County and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Photo Gallery