SD47 - Georgetown Pike

  • Published: 1994
  • Author: Department of Transportation
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 235 and House Joint Resolution 411 (Regular Session, 1993)

Executive Summary:
Raising public awareness of the history of the Georgetown Pike, in order to preserve the road's historic character, has long been a goal of citizens and Fairfax County officials. The road's historic character has long been a goal of citizens and Fairfax County officials. The road was designated as the Commonwealth's first Virginia Byway in 1974. Since that time, growth along the road and in other parts of Northern Virginia has resulted in a significant increase in traffic. A proposed widening of a portion of the road to four lanes was canceled in 1979 due to public opposition.

There is continuing public opposition to safety and capacity improvements (e.g., deceleration lanes) proposed by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) engineers to help manage traffic at new subdivision street entrances. For this reason, the 1993 General Assembly directed VDOT to reexamine this subject.

Pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 411 (HJR 411) and Senate Joint Resolution No. 235 (SJR 235) (1993), VDOT examined issues concerning the preservation of the historic, cultural, and scenic nature of the Georgetown Pike (Route 193) in Fairfax County. VDOT identified existing standards, regulations, and statutes as well as alternatives to these that could be used in preserving the Georgetown Pike.

VDOT designated a team at the Virginia Transportation Research Council to research and write this study. The study team accomplished this through (1) meetings with Fairfax County officials and citizens; VDOT Central Office, Northern Virginia District, and Fairfax Residency staff; and Virginia Department of Historic Resources and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation staff; (2) comments received at a public hearing held in Fairfax county; and (3) written comments from other interested parties. Research of statutes, regulations, processes, and standards identified by various officials was conducted, and special traffic counts on the Georgetown Pike were taken.