Students Will No Longer Wait for School Buses on Blake Lane

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Fairfax County School Board Member Karl Frisch informed constituents that the school division’s Office of Transportation Services (OTS) and Office of Safety and Security (OSS) have completed their Safety Study evaluating school bus stops on Blake Lane. As a result, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has made 22 bus stop changes. Six stops will remain on Blake Lane due to roadway constraints though NO students will wait on Blake Lane going forward. Only one route change will result in a ten-minute delay in school arrival.

“Our community cares deeply about student safety, and we are grateful for their continued advocacy for increased precautions along the Blake Lane corridor,” said School Board member Frisch. “Moving these bus stops will enhance student safety while local and state partners continue working together to mitigate speeding and other traffic concerns in the area.”

The bus stop changes eliminate the need for students to stand on Blake Lane. However, some stops must remain on Blake Lane as the residential road being serviced is a pipe stem and provides no access for a school bus to turn around and exit. In the past, these students have waited on Blake Lane until the bus stops 50 feet from the intersection. Beginning the first day of school, August 22, students will assemble and wait for the bus on the side street and at least 50 feet away from Blake Lane, not on Blake Lane itself. When the bus arrives, the driver will ensure all traffic is stopped and motion the students to approach the stopped bus to board. In addition, the Office of Safety and Security (OSS) will recommend the installation of marked crosswalks on the intersecting side streets of Blake Lane as part of a VDOT safety review.

The Parent Information System (ParentVUE) has not yet been updated with the new stop information. Listed below are the stop changes by school. Parents who have questions or concerns can reach out to the Transportation Supervisor assigned to their school. You can find that information on our website.

Additionally, Providence Supervisor Dalia Palchik’s office has been working with local and state partners to ensure that we make necessary safety improvements to the Blake Lane corridor. On August 2, the Board of Supervisors approved installing “Watch for Children” and “$200 Additional Fine for Speeding” signs as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program on Blake Lane. On July 19, Palchik presented a Board Matter with Chairman Jeff McKay and Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn that directed staff to provide recommendations on purchasing additional speed deterrent devices. Supervisor Palchik is also convening a Blake Lane Safety Community Advisory Group.

BUS STOP ADJUSTMENTS

*** Indicates bus stop remaining on Blake Lane (students will wait on side streets).

Luther Jackson Middle School

• Luther Jackson MS (AAP) — Blake Lane & Five Oaks Road
  Stop moved to Mosaic ES
• Luther Jackson MS (AAP) — Blake Lane & Tipperary PS
  Stop moved to Tipperary Pass & Valera Court
• Luther Jackson MS (AAP) Blake Lane & Mission Square Drive
  Stop is on the Service Road

Thoreau Middle School

• Thoreau MS — Blake La & Five Oaks Rd
  Stop moved to Mosaic ES
• Thoreau MS –Blake Lane & Cyrandall Valley
  Stop moved to Cyrandall Valley Road & Capperton Drive (up to 10 minutes late arrival to school)
• Thoreau MS — Blake Lane & Mission Square Drive
  Stop is on the Service Road
• Thoreau MS –Blake Lane & Cyrandall Valley (Students who traverse Platten Drive and Sugar Lane)
  Stop moved to Sweet Mint Drive/Sugar Lane
• Thoreau MS –Blake Lane/Hibbard Street
  Stop changed to Hibbard Street & Copper Court
• Thoreau MS –Student walking from Tipperary Pass to Edgelea Road
  Stop changed to Tipperary Pass & Valera Court
• Thoreau MS — Late Run –Tipperary Pass & Valera Court
  Stop changed to Cyrandall Valley Road/Caperton Drive
• Thoreau MS — Blake Lane & Hibbard Street
  Stop changed to Hibbard Street/Copper Court
• *** Thoreau MS — 10005 THRU 10017 BLAKE LA @ PIPESTEM
  Student will wait on the property complex until the bus arrives

Mountain View High School

• Mountain View HS — Blake Lane /Sutton
  Stop changed to Vaden Drive/Saintsbury Drive

Crossfield Elementary School

• Crossfield ES –9553 Blake Lane
  Stop moved to Blake Lane Service Road

Marshall Road Elementary School

• Marshall Road ES — 9553 Blake La @ Fairfax Circle Villa Apartments
  Stop moved to Blake Lane Service Road

Mosaic Elementary School

• Mosaic ES — Blake Lane & Mission Square Drive
  Stop is on the Service Road
• Mosaic ES — Blake Lane & Lindenbrook Street
  Stop is on the Service Road
• Mosaic ES –Blake Lane/Tipperary Pass
  Stop changed to Tipperary Pass/Valera Court
• *** Mosaic ES — Blake Lane/Oakton Crest Place
  Bus will stop at the corner of Blake La & Oakton Crest Pl
  Students will wait on Oakton Crest Place
• *** Mosaic ES — 9553 Blake Lane @ Fairfax Circle Villa Apartments
  78 students were previously assigned walkers
  Students have been assigned a bus
  Student will wait in the apartment complex area until the bus arrives​​​​​​​

Oakton Elementary School

• Oakton ES — Jermantown Road/Trevor House
  Stop changed to Bushman Drive/Summit Square
• *** Oakton ES — 9926 Blake Lane (Residential stop)
  1 student will wait in the driveway until the bus arrives
• *** Oakton ES — 10005 THRU 10017 BLAKE LA @ PIPESTEM
  Students will wait on the property complex until the bus arrives
• Oakton ES — Jermantown Rd & Borge St
  Students will wait on Borge Street until the bus arrives
• Oakton ES — 2900 Jermantown Rd
  Students will wait on the sidewalk at the Pipe Stem
• *** Oakton ES — Blake/Palmer
  Students will wait on Palmer until the bus arrives