By Matt Thompson
The Alexandria City Council voted 4-3 to reduce the number of lanes on Seminary Road. The decision came after more than eight hours of testimony from more than 100 speakers at the Sept. 14 public hearing at City Hall.
“This whole issue has deeply divided the community and has clearly deeply divided the council,” said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, adding that the number of public speakers and community angst over the road should be avoided in the future. “Big picture process-wise, we can’t do this again. We can not do this again.”
Ultimately, council voted 4-3 in favor of the “road diet” with Wilson joined in his vote for the changes by Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and Councilors Canek Aguirre and Del Pepper. Voting in opposition were City Councilors John T. Chapman, Amy Jackson, and Mo Seifeldein.
What You Need To Know
● Construction on the roadway will begin later this year on the stretch of Seminary Road between N. Quaker Lane and Howard Street. The road will be reduced to two east-west lanes of traffic with an “AC/DC” turn lane in the middle
● The stretch of roadway will also include bike lanes on both sides
● The project will return to City Council in 18 months for review
