October 2025 Update:
At the October 27 Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing, the Board voted to approve the following:
Edsall Road Recommendations:
- Establish a 25 MPH speed limit between South Pickett Street and the City boundary for consistency along the corridor.
- Note: Additional recommendations may be developed after Edsall Road is studied further as part of the West End High-Crash Intersection Safety Audits project.
Yoakum Parkway Recommendations:
- Establish a 25 MPH speed limit on Yoakum Parkway between Stevenson Avenue and Edsall Road.
- Approve the Option 1 design concept to narrow the roadway, improve pedestrian crossings, provide traffic calming, and install separated bike lanes.
- Retain existing parking spaces and loosen parking restrictions to allow parking all-day.
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to evaluate improvements on Edsall Road and Yoakum Parkway to make it easier and safer for people of all ages, abilities, and modes of travel to use these streets.
Project Area Map
Project Background
Edsall Road is a four- to five-lane east-west roadway on Alexandria's West End that provides access to various high-density residential neighborhoods, commercial and retail destinations, parks, bus and Metrorail lines, and more. Yoakum Parkway connects Edsall Road to Stevenson Avenue and provides access to multiple high-density residential communities.
There have been over 100 traffic crashes in 5 years on Edsall Road alone. Of those, over a third resulted in people being injured. This corridor is part of the adopted Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan, which established a vision for the area to transform from an automobile-dominated area into a walkable community with a successful multimodal transportation system that can serve the residents of the West End and beyond.
Earlier this year, the City of Alexandria was awarded a technical assistance grant through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Transportation-Land Use Connections Program to study the Edsall Road corridor, identify potential improvements, and develop concept designs. The City is also evaluating improvements for Yoakum Parkway.
Project Development
Overall Project Status: Detailed Design
Community Engagement
Status: In Progress
October 27, 2025: Traffic & Parking Board Public Hearing
At its October 27 Public Hearing, the Traffic & Parking Board voted to support the following recommendations for Edsall Road and Yoakum Parkway:
Edsall Road Recommendations:
- Establish a 25 MPH speed limit between South Pickett Street and the City boundary for consistency along the corridor.
- Note: Additional recommendations may be developed after Edsall Road is studied further as part of the West End High-Crash Intersection Safety Audits project.
Yoakum Parkway Recommendations:
- Establish a 25 MPH speed limit on Yoakum Parkway between Stevenson Avenue and Edsall Road.
- Approve the Option 1 design concept to narrow the roadway, improve pedestrian crossings, provide traffic calming, and install separated bike lanes.
- Retain existing parking spaces and loosen parking restrictions to allow parking all-day.
July 31, 2025: Virtual Community Meeting
The City hosted a virtual community meeting about the project on July 31.
Complete the online feedback form by August 10.
May 2025: Community Feedback
In May 2025, the City gathered feedback on potential design options for Edsall Road and Yoakum Parkway. Thank you to those who participated!
November 2024: Community Input Period
In November 2024, the City collected feedback about user experience on Edsall Road and Yoakum Parkway. This feedback will inform design recommendations.
Edsall Road & Yoakum Parkway Corridor Improvements Community Feedback Summary
Planning & Concept Design
Status: Complete
Approved Concept Design for Yoakum Parkway
Additional Materials:
Edsall/Yoakum Alternative Intersection Concept Design
Yoakum Parkway Concept Designs
Detailed Design
Status: Initiated
Stay tuned for more information!
Construction
Status: Not Started; Expected in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the City doing this project?
Edsall Road and Yoakum Parkway are both high-speed corridors with a history of unacceptable traffic crashes that impact the lives of everyday Alexandrians. Existing adopted City plans, including the Alexandria Mobility Plan and the Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan call for improvements to these streets to make it easier and safer for people to get from place to place.
What are the goals of this project?
Project goals include reducing traffic crashes, making it easier to walk, bike, and take the bus, and minimizing impacts to traffic congestion.
What is the project timeline?
The planning and conceptual design phase of this project will occur from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025.
How can I provide input?
There will be multiple opportunities for community members to provide input into this process. To receive project updates, please contact Alex Carroll, project manager, at Alexandria.Carroll@AlexandriaVA.gov.