Traffic Signal Project To Alleviate Vienna's Maple Avenue Backups Close To Finish Line

VIENNA, VA — Anyone who's been held up in Maple Avenue traffic are banking on new traffic signal technology to ease congestion on Vienna's main street. The project to improve the flow of the busy Maple Avenue and Nutley Street with traffic signal technology is making progress in the Town of Vienna.

Vienna Town Council received an update on the Maple Avenue and Nutley Street Traffic Signal Improvement Project at a work session Monday night. The project started construction in spring 2024 and focuses on improving infrastructure at 14 intersections. Substantial completion of the project is expected this August, followed by final completion in the fall.

"Substantial completion means all of the hardware, software devices will be physically installed by August," Brad Baer, the town's public works director, told Town Council. "Then between August and November, it will go into operational testing."

Between the 14 intersections, the project team is adding 118 new traffic signal heads, 37 pedestrian crossing signal heads and eight new poles as well as street signs, fiber optic communications equipment, camera detection devices, signal controllers and cabinets, and other software.

"It includes traffic new traffic management software, camera detection devices that'll have real time and centralized monitoring of the traffic conditions, the volumes and speeds, so that could optimize the flow, and we'll be able to make adjustments," said Baer. "It'll make recommendations, and then we can make adjustments in real time."

Intersections include Maple Avenue East at Follin Road SE, Maple Avenue East at East Street, Maple Avenue East at Beulah Road, Maple Avenue East at Branch Road, Maple Avenue East at Glyndon Street, Maple Avenue East at Park Street, Maple Avenue East at Washington & Old Dominion Trail, Maple Avenue West at Center Street, Maple Avenue West at Courthouse Road SW/Lawyers Road NW, Maple Avenue West at Vienna Plaza, Maple Avenue West at Nutley Street, Maple Avenue/Chain Bridge Road and James Madison Drive, Nutley Street SW at Courthouse Road, and Nutley Street SW at Tapawingo Road SW.

Despite supply chain challenges with getting some equipment, the town's project has already replaced three-quarters of the traffic signal heads. The new ones will have yellow reflective backing that distinguishes them from the old ones, according to Baer. All of these new traffic signal heads are being upgraded to have battery backup that can help during outages.

Councilmember Sandra Allen asked if the town was considering adding another traffic signal at James Madison Drive, where there is a signal for Maple Avenue drivers but not those coming from James Madison Drive. According to the project team, that intersection is not part of the project, but the town is having discussions with other agencies about the intersection.

Remaining work on the project is continuing overnight. Covers remain over traffic signals and pedestrian signals that are not yet in operation. Richardson-Wayland Ferreira Electric Co. is serving as the construction contractor, and Dominion Energy assists with the power connection to the new signals.

Councilmember Jessica Ramakis asked if the project team expected delays that would push back the fall 2025 completion. Baer predicted no more risks of delays, as the project has already received all needed materials after supply chain disruptions.

The project's construction cost is $2.8 million, and it is receiving support from a Virginia Department of Transportation Smart Scale grant. The Maple Avenue and Nutley Street traffic signal was identified as the number three priority for Vienna Town Council in 2025.