Crosswalk With Flashing Beacons Added Near Ashburn Senior Center

ASHBURN, VA — Pedestrians traveling around the Ashburn Senior Center will have an easier time crossing the road.

Broad Run District Supervisor Sylvia Glass reported that a crosswalk has been installed near the senior center. The crosswalk is located on Marblehead Drive between the intersections of Livonia Terrace and Potter Terrace/Granite Run Terrace. It includes rapid flashing beacon lights, which pedestrians press to notify drivers that pedestrians are trying to cross the road.

The section of Marblehead Drive previously had no crosswalks connecting to the senior center. Pedestrians would have had to walk farther up the street to Western Gailes Boulevard or Gloucester Parkway to find a crosswalk on Marblehead Drive. The Ashburn Senior Center at 20880 Marblehead Drive in Ashburn opened in June 2021.

According to the supervisor, drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, should not pass vehicles stopped at the crosswalk, and should not block the crosswalk. Pedestrians should watch for approaching vehicles and use caution even when rapid flashing beacon lights are activated.

"Thank you to the Ashburn seniors who brought this issue to my attention and for their patience as I worked to deliver on this crosswalk project, which will now provide a safer way to cross Marblehead Drive to attend the many exciting programs at the Ashburn Senior Center," Glass shared on social media.

At another senior center, a pedestrian death prompted county supervisors to seek a study to improve road safety. Zesen Mao, 81, a Sterling resident and member of the Cascades Senior Center, was struck in a crosswalk near the senior center at Whitefield Place and Cranston Street on Feb. 21. Officials believe visibility of the crossing pedestrian was a factor in the crash rather than speeding or impaired driving.