Herndon Parkway at Elden Street

In response to community safety and accessibility concerns, the Town’s Department of Public Works conducted an engineering study to evaluate the segment of Herndon Parkway between Campbell Drive and Summerfield Drive. Considering traffic counts, vehicle speed data, and observations of pedestrian activity and behavior, staff recommended a reduction in speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph. The speed limit change also aligns with the Town’s draft goals of the ongoing Roadway Safety Action Plan to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on Town roads. Town Council voted to approve the speed limit change in September 2025.

The new 25 mph speed limit will closer align vehicle speeds with activity in the commercial and residential corridors of Herndon Parkway at south Elden Street. The reduction will help to improve motorist and pedestrian safety at several intersection while also enabling the installation of a future crosswalk at the intersection of Herndon Parkway at Palmer Drive. This will provide a safe, designated location for people to access the Chandon Park from surrounding areas.

Speed limit signs will be replaced on Herndon Parkway beginning on December 1, 2025. The Town will post message boards along the road approximately two weeks in advance of the change. For questions regarding the adjustment of speed limits, please contact the Town’s Department of Public Works.

Crestview Drive W&OD Trail

In order to improve visibility and awareness of pedestrians crossing the W&OD trail at Crestview Drive, the Department of Public Works has partnered with the Northern Virginia Parks Authority to install a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). Trail users will be able to push a button and have the warning signal activate, making it easier for motorists to identify crossing pedestrians and bicyclists. For more information about RRFBs, please see the Federal Highway Administration’s fact sheet here: https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/RRFB_508_0.pdf

The installation of the RRFB is planned to take place in early 2026.

 Herndon Parkway at Monroe Street

The Town completed a safety study at the intersection of Herndon Parkway and Monroe Street in Spring 2025. As a result of the study, Town staff will be making several modifications to the intersection to improve both pedestrian and vehicular safety. Planning enhancements include:

• Improvement of the crosswalk markings to a high visibility crosswalk (with thick, parallel white bars).
• Deployment of a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI); more information can be found here: https://highways.dot.gov/sites/fhwa.dot.gov/files/Leading_Pedestrian_Interval_1.pdf
• Installation of an advanced red signal warning sign for eastbound Herndon Parkway. This sign will be positioned and programmed such that vehicles coming down the hill on Herndon Parkway (from Dranesville Road) will have an advance warning that the signal is about to or has turned red.

Intersection safety enhancements will be deployed in early 2026 and/or as ongoing signal maintenance projects allow for equipment upgrades.