News Articles

Nicole Devore, President
Board of Directors
Fairlington Towne, A Condominium Unit Owners Association
Alexandria, VA 22302
nicoledevore.fairlington@gmail.com

April 13, 2026

 

Alexandria City Council

City of Alexandria

 

Sara Brandt-Vorel

Transportation & Environmental Services

City of Alexandria

 

Subject: Fairlington Towne Opposition to the King Street–Bradlee Safety & Mobility Enhancement Project

 

Dear Members of City Council and Ms. Brandt-Vorel,

 

I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors and residents of Fairlington Towne to reiterate and strengthen our community’s position regarding the proposed King Street–Bradlee Safety & Mobility Enhancement Project.

 

Fairlington Towne is a community of approximately 300 individually owned townhomes located at the intersection of King Street and North Dearing Street. This intersection serves as the sole point of entry and exit for our community. Any changes to the King Street access road or surrounding intersections will therefore have a direct and significant impact on our residents’ daily safety, mobility, and access to their homes.

 

For these reasons, it is deeply concerning that the City continues to advance discussion of this project without directly addressing the concerns repeatedly raised by the residents who live at the center of the proposed redesign.

 

To be clear, Fairlington Towne is strongly and unequivocally opposed to the project in its current form.

 

Our concerns remain consistent with those previously communicated: the proposed design changes do not appear to improve safety in this corridor, they may introduce additional risks at already complex intersections, and they fail to prioritize stormwater management issues that have repeatedly caused damage within our community.

 

Since our previous correspondence, we understand that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has placed this project relatively low on its priority list. Despite this, advocacy for the project continues while the City has still not publicly shared the traffic studies, safety analyses, survey results, or other data that would justify such a significant redesign of this corridor.

 

Transportation projects that rely on public funding must meet the standard of transparent justification and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. Residents have yet to see the data demonstrating that the proposed redesign would measurably improve safety outcomes or reduce severe crashes along this corridor.

This concern is particularly relevant given that the project has been framed as part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative, which seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. Without publicly available safety analysis demonstrating that the proposed changes would reduce crash risk, it is difficult to reconcile how the current design advances those stated goals.

 

In fact, the only observable improvement implemented since this project was introduced has been the addition of two “No Passing” centerline stripes on the King Street access road near North Dearing Street. While residents have not been provided with traffic data supporting this change, those living near the intersection report that it has significantly improved safety. Vehicles approaching from South Wakefield Street now have clearer guidance when cresting the incline in the roadway, improving visibility and reducing confusion.

 

At the same time, several smaller but meaningful safety improvements that were discussed previously have still not been implemented. For example, Arlington County indicated that a “No Right on Red” sign would be installed at this intersection. Despite those assurances, that signage has not been installed. Addressing this issue would represent a practical and targeted safety improvement that could be implemented immediately.

 

Similarly, no improvements have been made to the bus stop infrastructure along the King Street access road near N Dearing St. Westbound bus riders continue to disembark into the dirt median area, where there is no designated walkway or safe crossing path. Riders must navigate traffic without adequate pedestrian infrastructure, presenting an ongoing and clearly identifiable safety concern.

 

We are also aware that the Fairlington Citizens Association (FCA) has continued to advocate for this project and that Ms. Brandt-Vorel has engaged with that organization regarding the proposed redesign. It is important to clarify that Fairlington Towne and the Seminary Hill Association, as well as other directly impacted Alexandria communities, are not  members of the FCA.

 

While the FCA includes some Alexandria residents, the organization is composed primarily of Arlington residents, and leadership within that association includes individuals who are actively involved in bicycle advocacy efforts. While advocacy groups play an important role in public policy discussions, their priorities may not reflect the day-to-day safety, infrastructure, and access concerns of the Alexandria residents who live directly along this corridor.

 

Communities directly within the City of Alexandria that are immediately affected by this corridor—such as Fairlington Towne—must be meaningfully included in the planning process. Relying on advocacy from organizations that primarily represent residents of another jurisdiction risks creating the perception that Alexandria residents’ concerns are secondary in decisions affecting their own neighborhood infrastructure.

 

Another factor that appears to have intensified advocacy for the proposed corridor redesign is the tragic fatal accident that occurred near King Street and South Taylor Street. During the Fairlington Citizens Association meeting on March 11, Ms. Sara Brandt-Vorel referenced the incident and stated that speed may have been a contributing factor. She also indicated that speed monitoring equipment has since been installed in the area. While any loss of life on our roadways is deeply tragic, the investigation of the accident is ongoing and no cause has been publicly shared. It is premature and irresponsible for a City Official to suggest or assume that this enhancement project would have prevented it.

 

Major infrastructure projects involving substantial public investment should be supported by clear data, publicly available safety analysis, and transparent justification. To date, residents of Fairlington Towne have not been provided with the underlying traffic data, corridor studies, or safety analyses demonstrating that the proposed redesign would meaningfully address the factors involved in that collision or materially improve safety outcomes along this section of King Street.

Without transparent analysis connecting the proposed redesign to documented safety issues, it is difficult for affected residents to evaluate whether the project is appropriately scoped, necessary, or proportionate to the conditions that exist today.

 

Fairlington Towne residents remain willing to work collaboratively with the City to identify practical improvements that genuinely enhance safety, traffic flow, pedestrian access, and stormwater management along this corridor. However, until meaningful engagement occurs and our community’s concerns are addressed, Fairlington Towne will continue to strongly oppose this project and will continue to actively advocate for our residents and our neighborhood.

 

We respectfully request that the City engage directly with the Fairlington Towne community before advancing this project further. 

 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Nicole Devore

President

 

Brandon Rogers

Vice President

 

Mary Beth Adamchik

Treasurer

 

Amanda O’Sullivan

Secretary

 

Jacqueline Maffucci

Member at Large