Flashing beacons to be installed on Frye Road crosswalk

December 13, 2019 Transportation
The Frye Road crosswalk, with 7-Eleven visible on the right (south) side
The Frye Road crosswalk is seen on Friday.

A crosswalk that was the scene of a fatal pedestrian-involved crash in 2016 is one of nine in the county that will be getting new flashing safety beacons installed.

The Fairfax Department of Transportation announced earlier this week that funding for the beacons and other improvements had been granted through VDOT’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, which is funded by the Federal Highway Authority’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The grants, which the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors applied for last year, totaled $1,263,000.

The “Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons,” or RRFBs, are flashing yellow lights that indicate to drivers and cyclists that they must stop before proceeding through the crosswalks.

The Frye Road crosswalk sits approximately 100 feet west of the Richmond Highway intersection. On Dec. 1, 2016 a 57-year-old man was struck by a car while crossing there. The victim, David Baines, later died at the hospital from his injuries. Police said at the time that he was in or near the crosswalk.

A 52-year-old man from the Woodlawn area was ticketed for failing to yield to a pedestrian, and was fined $30, according to Fairfax General District Court records.

Other improvements to the Frye Road crosswalk related to the beacons project have recently been implemented, including a refuge area in the middle of the street, signs in each direction pointing out the crosswalk, and handicap-accessible curb ramps.

Other crosswalks in the county slated to get the flashing beacons (magisterial district in parentheses)

  • South Lakes and Tanbark (Hunter Mill)
  • Bluemont Way and Discovery Drive (Hunter Mill)
  • Franklin Farm Road and Old Dairy Road (Sully)
  • Franklin Farm Road and Thorngate Drive (Sully)
  • Soapstone and Ridge Heights Road (Hunter Mill)
  • Soapstone and KinderCare/7-11 (Hunter Mill)
  • South Lakes and Green Watch Way (Hunter Mill)
  • Prosperity Avenue and Cross County Trail (Providence)

Once the new crosswalks are completed, the county will have a total of 17 with RRFBs. More information about the program can be found here.