To the Editor:

Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has the power to destroy neighborhoods. With its latest proposals for Sherwood Hall Lane, it will do just that: speeds will increase, our neighbors will lose their on-street parking, and pedestrian travel will become hazardous, altogether altering the character of the road by making it less residential. Proposed changes include removing most street parking, adding bike lanes narrower than the current lane, and adding continuous turn lanes. Their proposals seem to be a solution in search of a problem. FCDOT’s information sheet says they want to make the road “more pedestrian and bicycle friendly,” but most of their proposals will have the opposite effect.

Continuous turn lanes: Speed is currently held down on this road by two things: one, that cars face oncoming traffic, and two, that drivers must be alert to the possibility of cars slowing or stopping to turn. Turn lanes, especially continuous turn lanes, will remove these impediments to speed. Turn lanes also negate the residential qualities of the road. They will be used to go around drivers slowing to turn right, again increasing average speed.

Parking lanes: I cannot object strongly enough to on-street parking being taken away from my neighbors. This will affect their daily lives, deliverymen, guests, and their (and my) property values. Parking lanes make it safer for them to back out of their driveways. The parking lane also serves as a buffer between pedestrians and street traffic; Sherwood Hall Lane is well traveled by joggers, walkers, dogs and owners, and children.

Passing: If the problem is people passing turning cars, then the answer is not to change the road to accommodate the illegal behavior. A combination of random, continual enforcement and better signage would be vastly preferable to road changes that encourage speed on this residential road. Instead of signage that says “No Passing” how about “No Passing Turning Vehicles”? Alternatively, write “No Passing” on the road surface in the current parking lanes.

Bike lanes: The current parking lane is used as a generous bike lane. Because of the width, it is safe enough that parents and children can bike together, including using bike trailers for small children. It is also used by joggers. Actual commuter bicyclists make up the smallest group to use the road, and do not warrant sacrifices by the other 99 percent of us who use the road. Under no circumstance should bike lanes be added at the expense of parking.

If you haven’t heard about the changes, that’s because the public notification was spotty: one notice was posted in the library, and HOAs were notified. No signboard went up on the road in question, leaving most of us in the dark. An information meeting was held at the Parkers Lane Government Center on March 12, where FCDOT announced they would take comments until March 19. That deadline has now been extended to March 26 because of strong neighborhood opposition. The time to act is now: call Supervisor Hyland, Delegate Surovell, and Senator Puller if you feel these changes are contrary to the neighborhood’s interests.

The character of Sherwood Hall Lane should remain consistent with the other residential arteries in this well-established neighborhood — Fort Hunt Road, Shenandoah, Elkins, and Collingwood Lane. Where width allows, they have street parking. Turn lanes are only used in commercial areas, as at Hollin Hall. As a negative example, look at Beacon Hill Road and its continuous turn lane — speeding is epidemic in that section. The addition of turn lanes will increase speeds on a road where many pedestrians walk and cross every day. In sum, the proposed changes run opposite to FCDOT’s stated goals and will make Sherwood Hall Lane decidedly pedestrian unfriendly.

Valerie Wohlleben

Kirkside