Alexandria Council to Review Russell Road Project Appeals
City officials will weigh parking and safety plans on Nov. 14.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in City Hall
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Should your community prioritize traffic safety upgrades even if they reduce available street parking?
The Alexandria City Council will meet on Nov. 14 to review pending appeals concerning the Russell Road Safe Routes to School Project. This session aims to resolve ongoing disputes regarding parking modifications and pedestrian safety infrastructure.
Why it matters
The project balances efforts to improve safety for students near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School with the concerns of residents regarding the availability of on-street parking. Council members must determine whether to support board-approved safety measures or alternative proposals.
The project includes the installation of three median crossing islands and ADA curb ramps at six Russell Road intersections. Current plans show a net loss of two parking spaces and two loading spaces under the proposed Alternative C.
The players
Alexandria City Council
The legislative body for the City of Alexandria that holds authority over local municipal projects and policy appeals.
Leah Riley
The director of the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services for the City of Alexandria.
Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School
A local educational institution located in proximity to the Russell Road project site.
Traffic and Parking Board
A city board that oversees the management of street parking and traffic safety infrastructure within Alexandria.
The details
The Traffic and Parking Board previously voted to remove 20 parking spaces on Russell Road in July to facilitate safety upgrades. Following this, Transportation and Environmental Services director Leah Riley proposed Alternative C, which includes additional parking on Johnston Place to support school staff.
Timeline
The Traffic and Parking Board voted to remove 20 spaces in July 2026.
The board voted against alternative parking proposals in September 2026.
Transportation Director Leah Riley sent a letter regarding parking on Oct. 2, 2026.
The City Council will review the project and appeals on Nov. 14, 2026.
The city will complete the Russell Road repaving project in 2027.
Political Context
The project follows the safety guidelines set by the national Safe Routes to School initiative. Critics and residents have raised substantive pushback against the removal of street parking, arguing that neighborhood access remains a priority alongside student safety.
Residents living along Russell Road and Johnston Place may face permanent changes to on-street parking availability once the project is finalized. The final council decision will dictate whether commuters and parents must adjust their daily parking routines in the area.
The takeaway
This review highlights the complex challenge of retrofitting older neighborhoods for modern pedestrian safety standards. Residents should monitor the council outcome to understand how street modifications will affect local parking inventory long-term.
Further reading
For more information on local municipal decision-making, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ALXnow | Alexandria, Va. breaking news, local events and community happenings.
Live Poll
Should your community prioritize traffic safety upgrades even if they reduce available street parking?
