Subject:
Title
Request approval of Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) motion for implementing recommendations at the intersections of Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Drive, SE, Desale Street, SW, and James Drive, SE, Ross Drive and Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Circle and Yeonas Drive, SE. (10 mins.)
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DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
The Department of Public Works (DPW) requests approval of the Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) motion for implementing traffic recommendations at the intersections of Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Drive, SE, Desale Street, SW, and James Drive, SE, Ross Drive and Desale Street SW, and Yeonas Circle and Yeonas Drive, SE.
In accordance with Section 5A of the “Town of Vienna Guide to Improving Street Safety,” the Town Council will consider all TSC motions and recommendations at a regularly scheduled Town Council meeting. If a motion is passed by TSC, then DPW will present the motion to the Town Council.
In response to a petition from Town residents concerned about neighborhood safety and at the request of the TSC, DPW reviewed the intersections of Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Drive, SE, the intersection of Desale Street, SW, and James Drive, SE, and roadway sections in between these intersections. Based on speed and volume data gathered, DPW did not recommend vertical or aggressive traffic calming mitigations and recommended the following traffic features that will improve the operation of the intersections and create a safer environment for pedestrians.
For the intersection of Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Drive, SE, DPW recommended a reconfiguration of the intersection from a two-way stop to an all-way stop configuration and adding high-visibility crosswalk pavement markings along all four legs of the intersection. There were multiple factors at the intersection that led to DPW recommending an all-way stop configuration which included:
• Sightline/distance challenges
• Pedestrian usage
• Volume distribution along both roadways.
For the intersection of Desale Street, SW, and James Drive, SE, DPW recommended shifting the existing two-way stop configuration from the Desale Street legs of the intersection to the James Drive legs of the intersection and adding high-visibility crosswalk pavement markings along all four legs of the intersection. DPW recommended shifting the existing stop signs to the alternative legs due to the lesser volume on James Drive and the higher volume on Desale Street.
DPW also recommended standard parallel crosswalk pavement markings at the Ross Drive, SW, leg of the Ross Drive and Desale Street, SW, intersection and at the Yeonas Circle leg of the Yeonas Circle and Yeonas Drive, SE, intersection.
The DPW Transportation Engineer presented the recommendations at the Feb. 24, 2026, TSC meeting. After the TSC heard resident comments and upon the conclusion of their discussion, Commissioner Smith made a motion to implement the recommendations as presented to include a six-month review for effectiveness. Councilmember Kapitan seconded the motion. The Motion passed unanimously - 8 - 0.
Community Engagement:
This initiative began with a resident petition to the TSC that was signed by 115 residents, and the recommendations were presented through the public process. If approved by Council, the recommendations will be implemented using standard operating procedures for new stop signs to include temporary use of flashing stop signs and flags during the transition period. In addition, information signs with a link to more information will be placed at the intersections ahead of implementation.
Next Steps: If approved by Council, DPW will move forward with the recommendation listed above
Expected Completion Time Frame: Improvements will be implemented by the end of June 2026
Strategic Plan Initiative: Efficiently Mobile Community
Board or Commission of Interest:
Departmental Recommendation:
Finance Recommendation:
Purchasing Recommendation:
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council may accept the TSC intersection traffic control measures and authorize their implementation in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council approve the Town’s Transportation Safety Commission motion and implement improvements at the intersections listed, as presented.
Cost and Financing:
Account Number:
Prior Funding Approval: Annual General Budget (Year), Amendments, CIP Budget (Year), or ARPA.
Decision Needed by This date:
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to approve the Town’s Transportation Safety Commission motion and implement improvements at the intersections of Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Drive, SE, Desale Street, SW, and James Drive, SE, Ross Drive and Desale Street, SW, and Yeonas Circle and Yeonas Drive, SE, as described in this report.”
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.