The intersection of 9th Street South and South Glebe Road, nestled between the Alcova Heights and Arlington Heights neighborhoods, is set for a significant transformation. This vital crossroads, just north of Columbia Pike, is the focus of the S. Glebe Road & 9th Street S. Intersection Improvement project, an initiative by Arlington County to modernize and enhance safety for all road users.
This project, currently in the design phase, is a direct response to several key factors: insights from the Master Transportation Plan, community feedback highlighting safety concerns, detailed crash data analysis, and recommendations stemming from the Vision Zero High Injury Network Safety Audit conducted on Glebe Road. These converging data points all underscored the urgent need for improvements at the 9th Street South intersection.
Project Objectives: A Safer and More Accessible Intersection
The core mission of the 9th Street South and Glebe Road improvement project is multifaceted, aiming to create a more user-friendly and secure environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. The primary goals are:
- Comprehensive Intersection Upgrade: To overhaul the existing intersection at 9th Street South and Glebe Road, making it safer and more efficient for all modes of transportation.
- Prioritizing Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: Enhance safety and improve connectivity for those walking and biking through the intersection by implementing upgraded crossing facilities. This is crucial for fostering a more walkable and bikeable community around 9th Street South.
- Controlled Access and Enhanced Flow: Introduce a traffic signal at the intersection to regulate access to and from 9th Street South. This signalization is a direct recommendation from the 2022 Safety Audit of the Glebe Road corridor and the 2020 Crash Hot Spot Program analysis, designed to manage traffic flow and reduce conflicts.
To achieve these goals, the project’s design is considering a range of improvements. These potential design elements are drawn from the Multimodal Safety Engineering Toolbox and include:
- Curb Extensions: Expanding the curb lines to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and improve visibility between pedestrians and drivers.
- Enhanced Crosswalk Markings: Upgrading the existing marked crossings to increase their visibility and ensure they meet current safety standards.
- Refuge Medians: Installing or improving median islands in the roadway to provide pedestrians with a safer মাঝখানে stopping point when crossing Glebe Road.
- Traffic Signal Installation: Replacing the existing Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) with a full traffic signal to provide more controlled and predictable traffic movements.
- ADA Accessibility Upgrades: Addressing existing accessibility issues by upgrading non-compliant curb ramps and ensuring adequate sidewalk clearance for people with disabilities.
Background: Understanding the Need for Improvement at 9th Street South
To fully appreciate the scope and necessity of this project, it’s essential to understand the existing conditions and planning guidance that have shaped its development.
Current Situation and Challenges
Glebe Road, a major arterial route, is under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), while 9th Street South is a local, non-arterial road managed by Arlington County. Currently, the southern pedestrian crossing of Glebe Road at 9th Street South is signalized only by a Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB).
Several existing site conditions present constraints and opportunities for the intersection redesign:
- Utility Pole Obstructions: Utility poles located within the sidewalk area, particularly at the northeast corner of the intersection, pose a design challenge.
- ADA Non-Compliant Ramps: Existing curb ramps are in poor condition and do not meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), hindering accessibility.
- Retaining Wall Proximity: A retaining wall at the northeast corner limits potential changes to the intersection geometry.
- Drainage Infrastructure: Manholes and storm drains situated at the southeast and southwest corners must be considered in the new design to ensure proper drainage.
Planning Directives and Vision Zero Alignment
The S. Glebe Road & 9th Street S. Intersection Improvement project is guided by Arlington County’s adopted plans and policies, most notably the Vision Zero initiative.
- Vision Zero Initiative: Arlington County’s Vision Zero policy is a commitment to eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2030. This proactive approach to safety underscores the urgency of addressing high-risk intersections like 9th Street South and Glebe Road. The Vision Zero framework calls for continuous improvement and a data-driven approach to road safety.
Data analysis further emphasizes the critical need for this project:
- High Crash Corridor: Glebe Road, including the 9th Street South intersection, has been identified as a corridor with a high concentration of crashes, relative to other areas in Arlington.
- Speeding Concerns: Vehicular speeds on Glebe Road between 8th Street S. and 9th Street S. frequently exceed the posted speed limit by more than 5 MPH, increasing the risk of severe crashes.
- Crash History at 9th Street South: Between January 2018 and February 2021, the intersection witnessed two pedestrian crashes and five vehicle crashes involving left turns, highlighting significant safety deficits.
- Community Safety Feedback: Residents have consistently voiced concerns about the safety of crossing Glebe Road at 9th Street South, further validating the need for improvements.
- Traffic Signal Recommendation: Based on safety audits and crash data, a traffic signal at the Glebe Road and 9th Street South intersection has been specifically recommended as a key safety enhancement.
- VDOT Collaboration: The project necessitates close collaboration with VDOT, given their jurisdiction over Glebe Road, to ensure seamless implementation of intersection improvements.
Public Engagement: Shaping the Future of 9th Street South Intersection
Community input is integral to the design process, ensuring the project effectively addresses the needs of local residents and users of the 9th Street South and Glebe Road intersection.
Spring 2023 – Gathering Feedback on Existing Conditions
The initial phase of public engagement in Spring 2023 was designed to involve the community. The goal was to gather firsthand perspectives on how people currently use the intersection and to identify specific concerns and ideas for improvement. This feedback directly informed the refinement of project goals and the development of initial concept options.
Winter 2024/5 – Concept Design Review
The second phase, planned for Winter 2024/5, will also involve the community. This stage will focus on presenting the concept design, shaped by the feedback received in the previous phase. Residents will have the opportunity to review the design, understand how their initial input was incorporated, and share further comments. This iterative feedback loop is crucial for evaluating and refining the concept design towards a final, community-supported plan.
What the Community Shared:
The Spring 2023 engagement revealed key community concerns about the 9th Street South and Glebe Road intersection:
- Safety Deficiencies: Crossing the intersection was perceived as unsafe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Visibility issues, caused by vegetation and the road layout, were highlighted as contributing factors, making it difficult to see oncoming traffic or pedestrians waiting to cross.
- Substandard Sidewalks: The condition of sidewalks, curb ramps, and medians was a major concern. Narrow, uneven surfaces and obstructions like utility poles were noted as significant impediments.
- Excessive Speeding: Drivers speeding on S. Glebe Road contributed to the feeling of unsafety when attempting to cross the intersection, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.
This valuable community feedback, combined with insights from the Bike Boulevards and Vision Zero initiatives, has directly shaped the Concept Design for the intersection.
Concept Design Highlights:
The Concept Design for the 9th Street South and Glebe Road intersection proposes significant changes to address the identified issues.
Explore a larger, detailed view of the concept design.
Key elements of the Concept Design include:
- New Traffic Signal Installation: A primary feature is the addition of a traffic signal at the 9th Street South and S. Glebe Road intersection. This signal is intended to create safer and more predictable traffic movements for all users.
- Curb Extensions at All Corners: Curb extensions are planned for all corners of the intersection. These extensions will shorten pedestrian crossing distances, enhance the visibility of pedestrians, and calm traffic speeds approaching the intersection.
- High-Visibility Crosswalks: In addition to the existing south side crosswalk, three new marked, high-visibility crosswalks are proposed on the east, west, and north sides of the intersection. This will provide safer and more defined pedestrian crossing points.
- Widened Refuge Medians: The existing refuge medians on S. Glebe Road will be widened. These wider medians will offer pedestrians more space and a safer waiting area in the middle of the roadway, as well as encourage safer turning movements for vehicles.
- Improved Visibility through Vegetation Management: The project includes the removal of vegetation and trees that currently obstruct sightlines at the intersection. Arlington County’s Department of Transportation is collaborating with Urban Forestry experts to assess the impacts of vegetation removal and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
Fall 2025 – Finalizing the Design
The final phase of public engagement, scheduled for Fall 2025, will communicate the finalized design to the community. This stage will present how feedback from the Concept Design phase has informed the ultimate design. The final designs will be accessible online for public review.
Project Funding
The design phase of the S. Glebe Road & 9th Street S. Intersection Improvement project is financially supported through the Transportation Capital Fund, underscoring Arlington County’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure upgrades.
Photo Gallery: Existing Conditions at 9th Street South and Glebe Road
To illustrate the current conditions at the intersection and highlight the need for improvements, please see the following photographs:
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