30-Day Test of Flashing Beacons on GW Parkway Begins Today

A press release from the National Park Service indicates flashing beacons will be tested on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, beginning today. The purpose is to “improve safety and increase awareness by slowing down traffic when pedestrians and bicyclists intend to cross the Parkway.” The beacons will be located at the trail crosswalk of the northbound lanes of the Parkway, just prior to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. NPS and the George Washington Memorial Parkway will be taking comments on the beacons through Jan. 17. Read the full release for more information about the beacons and how to comment below the jump: George Washington Memorial Parkway News Release Release Date: November 14, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, 703-289-2500 George Washington Memorial Parkway Seeks Public Feedback on Temporary Flashing Beacon Warning System McLean, VA – The National Park Service, George Washington Memorial Parkway in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration, will be temporarily installing a flashing beacon warning system at the trail crosswalk of the northbound lanes of the Parkway, just prior to Arlington Memorial Bridge, one mile north of I-395. Temporary installation is planned to the week of November 18th and be in place for approximately thirty days as a trial to help inform the upcoming Environmental Assessment (EA) process that will evaluate long-term safety and traffic improvements in the area. The purpose is to improve safety and increase awareness by slowing down traffic when pedestrians and bicyclists intend to cross the Parkway. Trail users can activate the flashing beacon and notify motorists of their intention to cross the Parkway. Trail users need to be aware that the flashing beacon is a warning, not a stop signal. The George Washington Memorial Parkway is accepting public feedback on the effectiveness of the system from Monday, November 18th, 2013 to Friday, January 17th, 2014. Comments may be submitted electronically on the project website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/warningsystem. Written comments may be mailed to: Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, c/o Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA 22101. Public involvement in the Environmental Assessment process is expected to take place in early 2014. If you are interested in participating in the EA process, please send your email to kate_barrett@nps.gov.