The City of Alexandria is pursuing grant funding to make it safer and easier for students to walk to and from Charles Barrett Elementary School and George Washington Middle School. The project will install curb extensions, a raised crosswalk, and high-visibility crosswalks at key intersections near the schools. The grant application was submitted in September 2025. VDOT will announce award in spring 2026. 

Curb extensions are a proven safety treatment recommended in the City of Alexandria's Complete Streets Design Guidelines. They extend the sidewalk at corners to shorten crossing distances, make pedestrians more visible to drivers, and encourage slower vehicle turning speeds. The raised crosswalk will further enhance safety by providing a level crossing area that naturally slows traffic.

The City conducted Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Walk Audits at Charles Barrett Elementary School in 2017 and George Washington Middle School in 2023. The Walk Audits examined walking conditions around each school and recommended safety improvements including curb extensions at key crossing locations.

This project advances those recommendations with improvements at two schools.

Charles Barrett Elementary School

• New curb extensions on Valley Drive near the school entrance and a raised crosswalk near the entrance to the recreation center
• Curb extension and safety improvements at Valley Drive and West Glebe Road intersection, including removal of the slip lane to create a safer crossing for students
• Charles Barrett Elementary School Design Concept (May 2025)

George Washington Middle School

• Four curb extensions with high-visibility crosswalks at East Glendale Avenue and Mount Vernon Avenue intersection
• George Washington Middle School Design Concept (May 2025)

The City is developing a grant application for the Virginia Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which funds projects that enhance walking and biking infrastructure. The timeline includes:

• Pre-Application Deadline: May 30, 2025 (Complete)
• Community Feedback: Summer 2025 (Complete) - A summary of feedback is available here.
• Full Application Deadline: September 15, 2025 (Submitted)
• Award Announcement: Spring 2026
• If Awarded:
  • Design: 2026 to 2028
  • Construction: 2028 to 2031

If you are interested in learning more about the Crossing Improvements Near Schools Phase I or Phase II project or the City's Safe Routes to School program, please contact Bryan.Hayes@AlexandriaVA.gov.