You might need to drive even slower in some Fairfax County neighborhoods this summer. The county’s Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is conducting a pilot study to measure the impact of reducing some speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph.
Background
In 2024, Virginia’s General Assembly gave local jurisdictions the authority to reduce speed limits on roads within business or residential districts that have a current speed limit of 25 mph. This allows Fairfax County to implement slower speed limits to create a safer environment for walking, biking, riding, and driving.
A Fairfax County transportation committee approved the 20 mph pilot study in October 2024. FCDOT will consider traffic speed, volume data, and public feedback before and after the program’s implementation. The speed limit will be reduced, but no other physical changes will be made to the affected roads.
Targeted Areas
Fairfax County’s speed limit pilot program will start in four districts — Dranesville, Hunter Mill, Mason, and Providence — in the summer of 2026. It will run through January 2027. The county plans to expand it to additional districts after the first four are implemented.
The following roads are slated for the speed limit change:
Dranesville District
- Douglass Drive from Georgetown Pike to Baron Road
- Baron Road from Randolph Road to Ingleside Avenue (small segment)
- Ingleside Ave from Baron Road to Dolley Madison Boulevard (Route 123)
Hunter Mill District
- Glade Drive from Sunrise Valley Drive to Reston Parkway
- Pinecrest Road from Glade Drive to South Lakes Drive
Mason District
- Patrick Henry Drive from Leesburg Pike to Beachway Drive
- Peace Valley Lane on the west side of Justice High School
- Beachway Drive from Patrick Henry Drive to Nevius Street
- Nevius Street from Leesburg Pike to Beachway Drive
Providence District
- Flagpole Lane from White Granite Drive to Borge Street
- Borge Street from Jermantown Road to Cimmaron Oaks Court
- Bushman Drive from Borge Street to Blake Lane
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
