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Fairfax holds public hearing on Germantown Road multimodal design; staff recommends turn lanes, medians and shared‑use path
Summary
City staff presented the 60% design for Germantown Road multimodal improvements, citing a 2020–25 crash history of 38 collisions and proposing dedicated turn lanes, conversion of some driveways to right‑in/right‑out, a 10‑foot shared use path northbound and a 5‑foot sidewalk southbound. Construction is estimated to start in May 2028 with an $18M construction cost covered by NVTA funding.
At a formal public hearing on Dec. 9 the City of Fairfax presented 60% design plans for the Germantown Road multimodal improvements project and received public comment.
Transportation staff framed the project goals as improving operations for all travelers, enhancing transit stops and amenities, and increasing pedestrian and bicycle safety. Consultant Jordan Howard summarized crash patterns in the corridor: 38 crashes from 2020 to 2025, with angle crashes representing approximately 45% and rear‑end collisions about 37%. Proposed countermeasures include adding dedicated right and left turn lanes, replacing the two‑way left turn lane with medians and individual left‑turn lanes where possible, and converting several full‑access driveways (e.g., H Mart northern entrance, Comfort Inn) to right‑in/right‑out to reduce conflict points.
Multimodal elements include a 10‑foot asphalt shared use path on northbound Germantown Road and a 5‑foot concrete sidewalk on the southbound side to provide separation for pedestrians who prefer not to use the shared facility. The design calls for targeted pedestrian safety features (high‑visibility markings, rapid flashing beacons) at school crossings, a pedestrian refuge island at Carroll Street, and lighting and plantings to mitigate tree impacts. Staff noted the estimated construction start in May 2028 and an inflated construction‑year estimate of about $18 million; NVTA has provided $21 million in funding to meet that need.
Public commenters raised concerns about whether the traffic study accounted for nearby and proposed developments (including a county redevelopment near Route 123), truck deliveries and bus turning radii at Orchard Street, the visual and height impacts of retaining walls near Katherine Johnson Middle School, and whether medians and restricted turns will actually relieve congestion. Several nearby residents described speed, sight‑line and safety concerns at the Carroll Street crossing and requested additional speed controls and design refinements. A representative of a local congregation asked about potential impacts to church parking where a retaining wall is planned.
Staff said the 60% plans are available for public comment through the city's Engage portal for 10 days and that right‑of‑way acquisition and final design will follow public comment, permitting and finalization of the footprint.
