"This would not be considered a high-accident location as compared with other intersections in the county. Therefore, the use of safety funds at this location does not appear feasible."
That statement was part of a memo to Fairfax County supervisor Gerald Hyland (D), Mount Vernon District, from Young Ho Chang, P.E., director, Fairfax County Department of Transportation. It was dated April 3, 2000.
"Collision Kills Local Woman." That was a headline in the Jan. 17, 2002, issue of The Mount Vernon Gazette. Both statements apply to the same location. The only difference is nine months and an irreversible tragedy.
"The citizens of Collingwood Court have been lobbying for a change on Collingwood Road," said James Etchechury, a resident of William and Mary Drive. His assessment of both the county's and state's responses to their pleas is "We can't do anything for you."
On Jan. 3, the fears of the residents became a reality, when a car crossed the double yellow line and smashed head on into another auto. Neither speed nor alcohol was the cause of the accident, according to police.
To Gary Schiffres, a resident at 8209 Collingwood Court, that accident is deadly proof of what he and other residents along Collingwood Road and Collingwood Court have been saying to all who would listen, "It's only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs." Seventy-eight year-old Emma Berger died in that serious accident.
"The main problem is the sightline," according to Schiffres. "We had a meeting on Dec. 12, with representatives of VDOT [Virginia Department of Transportation], the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, Hyland, and state Del. Kris Admundson [D-44th]. All agreed it was a terrible sightline."
SUPPORTIVE, BUT DISAPPOINTED
Schiffres acknowledges that both Hyland and Admundson were very supportive, “but Hyland hasn't been returning my calls where Admundson has. I'm a little disappointed in Hyland.
"They said the state's financial situation is terrible. Even if changes to the road were approved tomorrow it would be six to 10 years before a shovel would go in the ground."
In Chang's April 3, memo to Hyland, the problem was summarized in government-speak as, "The sight distance for vehicles exiting Riverside Road meets the desired minimum sight distance of 300 feet at the posted speed of 30 miles per hour. Staff observed traffic exceeding the speed limit, which creates a situation where the existing minimum sight distance may not be adequate."
According to Schiffres, VDOT's solution to the problem was to put in traffic-monitoring devices on Collingwood Road and then recommend three-way stop signs at Riverside Road and Collingwood Court, where they intersect with Collingwood Road.
"It's only a bandaid solution. In all of Fairfax County this is one of the three top most dangerous intersections," Schiffres insisted. "They think they're pulling the wool over our eyes. By putting the stop signs there, the state thinks they are solving the problem."
He noted, "We have powerful people who live in this area. If we have to use politics, we will. I don't want my children memorialized by a traffic signal after it is too late."
Schiffres describes himself as a resident and parent with three young children. "It's about time somebody did something," he emphasized. "The last time I was an activist was in the ‘60s. Maybe it's time to get active again."
The night before Hyland's Mount Vernon District Town Meeting last week, Schiffres said he circulated more than 200 flyers on the Collingwood Road situation, urging others to bring it up at that meeting. It was not.
Back to Square 1 and the Chang memo, which stated, "The review by staff was unable to determine any feasible low/cost-low/impact, short-term roadway improvements to the subject segment, due to the unavailability of right of way and the anticipated impacts on properties fronting Collingwood Road.
"The long-term solution is to consider the subject segment of Collingwood Road for placement in the Six-Year Secondary Road" plan.
Etchechury's translation: "We can't do anything for you!"
Schiffres promises: "I'm going to stir things up."