Four Alexandria schools will have speed cameras set up near them this spring.
The cameras will go up near the following schools:
- Francis Hammond Middle School on Seminary Road, between Kenmore Avenue and North Jordan Street;
- John Adams Elementary School and Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School on North Beauregard Street, between North Highview Lane and Reading Avenue;
- George Washington Middle School on Mount Vernon Avenue, between Braddock Road and Luray Avenue.
The cameras are part of the city’s Automated Speed Enforcement in School Zones program.
The city’s schools, police department, and Department of Transportation and Environmental Services selected the locations.
Before the cameras go live, Alexandria will let the public know their locations. The cameras will have a testing period and then will be active for the 2023-2024 school year. Fines will be up to $100 for going more than 10 mph over the speed limit.
In addition to the speed cameras, walk audits are being done near five Alexandria schools to identify what infrastructure improvements are needed to make it easier for kids to walk and bike to school.
According to the city’s Traffic and Parking Board, which met Monday night, the five schools include three of the schools where speed cameras will be located: Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School, George Washington Middle School, and Francis Hammond Middle School, as well as both campuses of Alexandria City High School (King Street and Minnie Howard).
Alexandria is seeking community input about what would make walking to school easier for students, and what changes need to be made to encourage walking to school. The city has asked residents to complete the Walk Audit Feedback Form by Sunday, April 2.
Neighboring Fairfax County launched a speed camera pilot program in February. The cameras are located near the following schools:
- Chesterbrook Elementary School: Kirby Road near the school (Dranesville District);
- Irving Middle School: Old Keene Mill Road near the school (Braddock District);
- Key Middle School: Franconia Road near the school (Franconia District);
- London Towne Elementary School: Stone Road near the school (Sully District);
- Sleepy Hollow Elementary School: Sleepy Hollow Road near the school (Mason District);
- South County Middle School: Silverbrook Road near the school (Mt. Vernon District);
- Terraset Elementary School: Soapstone Drive near the school (Hunter Mill District);
- West Springfield High School: Rolling Road near the school (Springfield District).
Infractions in Fairfax County start at 10 mph over the speed limit and max out at $100.
The state authorized the use of speed cameras near schools in 2020.
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