South parkway safety study frequently asked questions

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing to assess safety on the southern part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Future plans for the park will be shaped through a public engagement process.

 
The National Park Service has hosted two public meetings about the safety study, and you can read it online.

On Thursday, July 11, 2019 we shared our preliminary research on safety on the southern part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 we shared some options to improve conditions.

On April 5, 2021 we released our plans to begin implementing the study's recommendations in fall 2021.

In the fall of 2021, the NPS plans to begin:

  • Restriping the road to implement a road diet while maintaining driving capacity.
    • This means changing road markings between Tulane Drive and Stratford Lane so that there will be three travel lanes (2 northbound, 1 southbound) and one turn lane.

  • Increasing visibility of lane markings.
  • Removing vegetation at intersections to improve visibility.


In the future and as resources allow, the NPS may also implement other recommendations from the study. The study recommends:

  • Changing the road to accommodate left- and U-turns sat Belle View Boulevard and Belle Haven Marina.

  • Installing rectangular rapid flash beacons at some pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

  • Adding refuge islands in the middle of the parkway at some pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

  • Building roundabouts at some intersections. The NPS is planning to implement these changes over-time and as resources allow. We will not implement them all at the same time.

Depending on what (if any) changes the NPS decides to adopt, drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists may see more work crews on the parkway. The NPS will share information about the work with the public online and through the media.
The NPS is comprehensively analyzing data on safety along the southern part of the parkway to make a plan for actions going forward. The NPS will use this data and your input to make a plan for how to make the road safer while preserving its historic appearance.
 
Computer generated image of proposed marking pattern for George Washington Memorial Parkway at Morningside Lane showing new configuration with three travel lanes (one southbound and two northbound) and a turn lane.
Rendering of road diet layout near Morningside Lane showing three travel lanes (two northbound, one southbound) and a turn lane.

NPS

 
George Washington Memorial Parkway travel lanes and bridge
Studying safety

Learn about the NPS's work to improve safety on the southern part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Historic road sign near Mount Vernon estate
Parkway history

Learn about the history of the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Last updated: April 5, 2021

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

George Washington Memorial Parkway Headquarters
700 George Washington Memorial Parkway

McLean, VA 22101

Phone:

703 289-2500

Contact Us