Mayor pushes back on claims of unified opposition or support for Braddock Road bike lanes
Gaskins says she's hearing from supporters, opponents, and residents seeking more information
Mayor Alyia Gaskins addressed the growing controversy over Braddock Road bike lanes in a video update on Wednesday, pushing back on claims that the community is unified in opposition or support.
“Anytime someone tells you that everyone is for something or everyone is against something, they’re probably wrong,” Gaskins said. “Because nobody knows everyone, and we are a community that has many different views.”
In her daily video update posted to social media, Gaskins said Braddock Road has been one of two topics dominating her inbox this week, along with the Potomac River sewage spill.
She said she has received emails from residents on all sides of the bike lane debate: supporters, including “a family who’s lived on Braddock Road for 20 years and bikes to and from for most of their daily trips,” opponents “concerned about parking and access to their homes,” and residents who “just want to learn more.”
The mayor’s comments come as opposition signs and flyers have appeared along the corridor and community debate has intensified on neighborhood listservs ahead of the Traffic and Parking Board’s February 23 hearing.
Gaskins noted the project has included 10 community meetings, conversations with civic groups, including the Rosemont Citizens Association, and meetings with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
She emphasized that the Traffic and Parking Board—not City Council—will vote on the project, and encouraged residents to send feedback to the board before Monday’s meeting.
The Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvements Project aims to “improve safety, accessibility and connectivity” to Braddock Road Metro, the Potomac Yard Trail, the Metro Linear Trail, and George Washington Middle School, Gaskins said.
The city announced Friday it is recommending protected bike lanes along the corridor between Russell Road and West Street.
The Rosemont Citizens Association voted in November and January to oppose parking removal, with 59 and 76 residents participating, respectively—fewer than 2% of the neighborhood’s 4,136 residents. The Del Ray Citizens Association voted 72% in support, with 43 responses.
All five candidates competing for City Council in the February 21 Democratic firehouse primary have expressed support for the project.
February 23 public hearing
The Traffic and Parking Board will hold a public hearing on the Braddock Road project at 7 p.m. Monday, February 23.
The Braddock Road item is listed as item #9 on the board’s agenda: “Travel Lane and Parking Modifications for the Braddock Road Corridor Improvements Project.”
The meeting will be held in person in City Council Chambers (Room 1305) at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, and virtually via Zoom.
To attend virtually, participants must register in advance at the city’s Zoom registration page. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with meeting access information.
Public comments will be received at the meeting or can be submitted via email to TrafficandParkingBoard@alexandriava.gov by 3 p.m. on February 23—24 hours before the meeting.
The board’s full 271-page docket for the meeting is available here.