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Vienna moves forward on $2.8M smart-signal upgrade for Maple Avenue and Nutley Street; operation testing Aug'Nov 2025
Summary
Public works presented a VDOT SmartScale-funded signal upgrade to interconnect 14 intersections on Maple and Nutley, replace two intersections completely and add cameras and centralized traffic-management software; construction cost $2.8 million with substantial completion estimated August 2025 and operational testing through November 2025.
Brad Baer, director of public works, and the engineering team outlined the Maple Avenue and Nutley Street traffic-signal improvement project and answered detailed council questions about timing, features and operations.
Baer said design was completed in February 2023 (design cost $245,000) and construction was contracted in 2023 for $2,800,000 to Richardson Wayland Freer Electric Company. Construction began in 2024; staff said the contractor is about 75 percent complete with equipment in town and overnight work underway. Baer described an 18-month window of performance, with substantial completion of physical infrastructure anticipated by August 2025 and operational testing through November 2025.
Andrew Drinks (transportation engineer) and operations superintendent Jeff Tufano described technical features: the project will interconnect 14 intersections to allow synchronized timings, install camera detection and centralized traffic-management software to monitor volumes and speeds, add 118 new signal heads and upgraded pedestrian crossings, and fully rebuild two intersections (Nutley & Tapowingo; Maple & Fallen Lane). Tufano confirmed that all signals will be upgraded with battery backups.
Council members asked practical questions. A resident concern about a pedestrian-activated crossing at Fallen Lane was answered: a signalized pedestrian crossing at Maple & Fallen Lane was added to the project. Questions about system behavior if no cross traffic is present elicited confirmation that the system will hold green on the primary movement and honor pedestrian calls; staff said the system will provide recommended timing adjustments but that human operators will implement changes after review.
Staff noted the project uses SmartScale (state) funding and that Dominion Energy must install meters and perform power connections for two rebuilt intersections, which could be a schedule dependency. The system is server-based (not cloud) and staff said training is planned for operations personnel; DPW will display a mock signal cabinet at an upcoming DPW Day. Council suggested operational briefings and a ribbon-cutting once the project is live.
No formal action was required; staff will continue construction, operational testing and public outreach.
