Alexandria officials are taking a closer look at revamping the Duke Street corridor, with proposals that include the addition of dedicated bus lanes as the Virginia city looks at improving the efficiency of its transit system and safety.
But reaction from Alexandria residents was decidedly mixed Thursday night during a public meeting of the Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group.
The advisory group, which was established by the Alexandria City Council in March, is tasked with developing a recommendation on a preferred transitway concept for the Duke Street corridor from Landmark to the King Street Metro area.
Thursday’s meeting focused on the segment of Duke Street from Jordan Street to Roth Street. The area goes from the Shoppes at Foxchase to just past the Alexandria Commons Shopping Center near Bishop Ireton High School.
Some of the group’s proposals would add dedicated bus lanes, while eliminating some parking and taking away sections of access roads that run parallel to Duke Street.
While some residents voiced support for the plan during a public comment period of the meeting, others complained about the potential loss of parking and service roads.
Concerns included backing out of driveways directly onto busy streets and having more parking pushed into residential neighborhoods.
The advisory group faced criticism from some residents that it should have worked more closely with more community groups in coming up with the proposals.
The Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group is expected to recommend a preferred concept by the summer of 2023.