Image courtesy of VDOT
Cut-through traffic is a polarizing issue. On one side, there are residents who live on these shortcut roads who are fed up with the extra cars clogging up their street and sometimes unsafe or disrespectful behavior from non-local drivers. On the other side are the drivers who utilize these roads in order to avoid another traffic jam on the Beltway and shave a few minutes off their commute.
Fairfax County is making it easier for residents to request assistance in cutting down cut-through traffic in their neighborhood. Last month, the Board of Supervisors endorsed updates to the RTAP Cut-Through Traffic Program which provides communities with guidance and procedures to identify and address issues with cut-through traffic in residential areas.
The Virginia code defines "residential cut-through traffic" as vehicular traffic passing through a residential area without stopping or without at least an origin or destination within the area. Cut-through traffic mitigation measures typically include access restrictions or route modifications using regulatory signs and/or barriers.
Updates to the RTAP Cut-Through Traffic Program will streamline the process which involves community members, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and the Board of Supervisors. Changes include:
- The Board of Supervisors (Boar) no longer has to submit a resolution to VDOT to initiate the Cut-Through Traffic Program process on eligible streets. Instead, members of the Board are allowed to request that the locality initiate the process on eligible streets.
- The need for a supporting community petition to be submitted to VDOT to initiate the Cut-Through Traffic Program process on eligible streets is no longer required.
- A new threshold for support of the chosen cut-through traffic (two thirds of the occupied residences on the streets within the area of the request). Prior to 2020, VDOT did not require a threshold for support.
Additionally, due to the extensive outreach and public support required to reach consensus on a proposed solution to cut-through traffic, the final Board endorsement item type has been changed from a Public Hearing Item to an Administrative Item.
Residents who are interested in starting the process in their neighborhood should contact their Fairfax County Board Supervisor.
More information on the decision can be found on pages 428 - 464 of the Sept. 13 Board Package linked here.
