The National Park Service (NPS) will soon be launching another tool to address traffic congestion near Great Falls Park. The use of variable message signs (VMS) located further away from the park is designed to reduce the traffic backups on Old Dominion Drive near the intersection with Georgetown Pike by alerting would-be visitors that the parking lots for Great Falls Park are full. The hope is that visitors would decide to delay their arrival or go elsewhere before reaching the busy intersection.

One sign will be located adjacent to the eastbound lane on Georgetown Pike near the rear entrance to Great Falls Center. The other two are in McLean. One is adjacent to the westbound lane on Old Dominion Drive near the western entrance to the Spring Hill Exxon, and the other is next to the westbound lane on Georgetown Pike just west of Linganore Drive.

Because there are no laws or regulations preventing traffic control signs on Virginia Byways, and as these signs are not permanent, this NPS pilot program provides an opportunity to see whether traffic near the park can be reduced. The signs will be lit only when needed and will be turned off at night when the park is closed. As required by VDOT, orange traffic barrels will be placed in front of the VMS units, and the signs and barrels will be removed in the fall.

The signs are similar to the one that the park has been using on Old Dominion Drive. At about 4-½ feet wide by 7-½ feet high, the solar powered sign is smaller than the typical VDOT VMS. Messages will be remotely changed by NPS.

The Transportation Committee of Great Falls Citizens Association will be coordinating with NPS, McLean Citizens Association, and Supervisor Foust’s office on the evaluation of this pilot program. Feedback on this initiative can be directed to transportation@gfca.org.