Citizens for Traffic Calming on Old Courthouse Road

It’s been almost 11 years now since we moved to our home in Old Courthouse Road.  In 1997, OCR was a quiet, sleepy street dominated mostly of families who moved there in the 60’s.  My husband and I have come to know them very well because we were one of the younger families on our street.  Back then, life was simple, nothing disturbed the peace and the biggest concern was what to have for dinner.

Fast forward to 2008, 13 accidents, close to 12,000 cars a day, 296 speeding tickets from August 2007 to August 2008, these statistics are very disturbing.  What is worrisome is the fact that Old Courthouse Road is not keeping up with the changes of the community surrounding it.  Since the community is experiencing a huge turn over, averaging 43 new young families every year since 1997, Old Courthouse Road is now seeing families with young children replacing the original owners.   Most were attracted to this community because of its many amenities as well as its proximity to Westbriar Elementary School, a short walk from Old Courthouse Road and its surrounding streets.

In 2005, the families of Old Courthouse Road started discussing how we can bring traffic calming.  We brought this issue to the attention of the civic association only to be told that “it is what it is” and “don’t worry about it, nothing can be done to it”.  But the safety of the families was the #1 priority.   We knew it will be a long arduous task--learning the processes, signatures on petitions, discussions with public officials, research on the topics, etc.  What complicates the situation is the political boundaries on Old Courthouse Road between Town of Vienna and Fairfax County.   Based on what we saw with the Town of Vienna, they move on traffic calming very quickly, Fairfax County on the other hand is a longer procedure as evidence that we are still working on this issue 3 years later. 

In addition to the present challenges we face as a community, there are many future challenges that lie ahead.  Old Courthouse Road is right on the border of the 2 proposed districts namely Tyson’s Central 7 and Tyson’s West.  Based on the task force proposal of an urban center that could include 200,000 jobs and 100,000 residents, this proposal could bring an immediate adverse impact to our community. 

Tyson’s traffic choked arteries will force many to avoid additional congestion due to lane closings on Rt 7 and Rt 123, thus forcing them to use back roads like Old Courthouse Road and Creek Crossing.  With the forecast of 200,000 jobs, 100,000 new residents in the Tyson’s area, this only means increase in traffic volume through Old Courthouse Road and Creek Crossing before, during and after re-development. 

There is a saying, “what is worth having is worth fighting for”.  In 2008, the families of Old Courthouse Road and its surrounding streets formed Citizens for Traffic Calming on Old Courthouse Road (CTCOCR).  We are united regardless of whether we are Town of Vienna or Fairfax County residents in requesting traffic calming on the entire length of Old Courthouse Road.  We deserve a better quality of life; we deserve a safe community to raise our children.  For more information about CTCOCR’s goals and objectives, you can contact Cris Janoski, at ctcocr@cox.net or visit us on the web at www.OCRVA.com.   Be pro-active; get involved in your community and its challenges.