Project Description & Area
A roundabout at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road was approved in April 2024 by the City's Traffic and Parking Board, reflecting years of community engagement with the Mount Vernon Avenue corridor. The approved roundabout design maximizes safety benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles and minimizes impacts on surrounding properties. The roundabout at Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road was separated from the previous Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets Project to proceed as a standalone project through the full design process, allowing the city to maximize existing funding.
Please see the link below for a comparison of the existing conditions and the approved roundabout:
About the Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets Planning Process
The Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets Planning Process was a multi-year planning process to develop design options that could improve the safety of all roadway users. The four intersections along Mount Vernon Avenue included:
- Four Mile Road
- Executive Avenue
- Russell Road
- Glebe Road
This area on Mount Vernon Avenue was identified as an area of concern based on community input and a history of fatal and injury crashes. In 2016, a case study of the area resulted in recommendations to improve mobility, access, safety, and comfort on Mount Vernon Avenue. Additionally, the 2021 Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan identified locations where safety improvements were needed on Mount Vernon Avenue. At each location, city staff solicited feedback from residents, coordinated with property owners and assessed benefits of each design option before selecting a preferred design alternative for the intersection. The final preferred design alternative was approved by the City's Traffic and Parking board in April 2024.
To learn more about the planning process, please see the archived webpage documenting prior engagement and outreach: Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets.
Mount Vernon and Glebe Roundabout: Nearby City Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the project timeline?
Technical design for the Mount Vernon and Glebe roundabout began in late 2025 and is expected to finish in early 2027, with construction anticipated to begin in mid-2027. Construction duration and phasing will be finalized during design and shared with the community. A community meeting, including a pre-construction meeting, will be held to provide updates as the project approaches construction.
Where can I find out more information on the planning process?
Community outreach and engagement has taken place within the project area for a number of years to identify potential safety challenges and validate proposed designs with residents. Starting in 2019, the City undertook the Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan process which helped prioritize interventions within the study area. At the conclusion of the small area plan process, the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services started a conceptual design process to advance preferred concept designs for various intersections which could address areas of need, as identified in the small area plan. Please see the archived Mount Vernon Avenue North Complete Streets webpage for additional information on the previous planning and community outreach efforts.
Why are we redesigning this intersection?
Community input during the 2021 Arlandria-Chirilagua Small Area Plan identified locations where safety improvements were needed on Mount Vernon Avenue, including the intersection with Glebe Road. Further advancing the need for safety at this location were the recommendations of a 2022 Citywide Crash Analysis Report which identified the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and Glebe Road as a high priority crash location, based on data collected between 2011-2020. Addressing this intersection will create a safer community for all who walk, bike, scoot and drive in Alexandria, and bring the City closer to achieving it's Vision Zero Action Goals to eliminate fatal and severe injuries on City streets by 2028.
Why is the City installing a roundabout? Are there benefits to using a roundabout?
Roundabouts tend to be a safer option to guide vehicles through non-traditional intersections and offer safety and traffic improvements.
- Less waiting for drivers
- Since drivers don't have to wait for a red light to enter the intersection, just a gap in traffic, drivers experience lower wait times.
- Fewer Serious Crashes
- Roundabouts can reduce high-speed head-on and T-bone crashes since vehicles all move in the same direction and at lower speeds; resulting in less severe accidents.
- Improved Safety for Pedestrians
- Cars tend to move more slowly, and pedestrians only have to cross one direction of traffic at a time.
- Better Traffic Flow
- Since traffic keeps moving through the roundabout instead of stopping and starting, roundabouts often reduce congestion.