The National Park Service will make three key adjustments.

Driving the George Washington Memorial Parkway is nothing if not beautiful—but as anyone who's traversed its scenic streets knows, it wasn't exactly built for the heavy traffic it sometimes receives. After all, as per the National Park Service (NPS), it was designed for recreational driving. That's why on April 5, the NPS announced it will be implementing new safety measures to make the original southern stretch of the Parkway safer for all users, from drivers to cyclists and walkers. 

Due to a recent safety study of traffic and safety conditions at key intersections between Alexandria and George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, the NPS will be implementing "several safety solutions ... through education, enforcement and engineering approaches." They will "increase visibility of lane markings and Mount Vernon trail crosswalks," "remove vegetation at intersections to improve visibility," and "restripe the road ... so that there will be three travel lanes (2 northbound, 1 southbound) and one turn lane." 

While the Parkway is an essential road, it's also on the National Register of Historic Places, so any changes must be "context sensitive for a park setting." Superintendent Charles Cuvelier explained, "We are being responsive to comments from the public and the expert advice of transportation professionals. Whether you are a park visitor or commuter, these changes will make driving, walking and bicycling between Alexandria and Mount Vernon safer and more enjoyable for everyone." 

How often do you use the George Washington Memorial Parkway? Are you looking forward to these changes? Share in the comments.