Rt. 7 Night Closures Continue for Work on Rt. 7/659 Interchange

Loudoun County transportation officials have announced that nighttime road closures and lane closures on Route 7 will continue into November to accommodate work on the Route 7/659 (Belmont Ridge Road) interchange project.

In addition, the night work may also include single lane closures on north and southbound Belmont Ridge Road to allow for pavement surfacing. The extended time frame for the roadwork from the end of October into November is a direct result of the rainy weather that has limited work activity since August.  

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In order to complete the work before the Thanksgiving holiday, the contractor will be working six nights per week, Sunday through Friday night/Saturday morning. As previously announced, nighttime work will begin as early as 9 p.m. for Route 7 eastbound and 10 p.m. for Route 7 westbound, including weekends, to allow for longer work periods. Night work on Route 659 will begin as early as 9 p.m.  All nighttime work will conclude prior to peak morning traffic as coordinated and approved by the Virginia Department of Transportation. ​

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In advance of nighttime work, electronic message boards will be posted prior to each planned lane and road closure. Motorists are encouraged to use caution in construction zones and along the detour routes throughout the duration of the project. ​

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More information, including maps of the planned lane closures and detour routes, is online at www.loudoun.gov/route7-659.  ​

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Questions about the project can be emailed to the Loudoun County Department of Transportation & Capital Infrastructure at route7-659@loudoun.gov.​

Route 15 Concept Preference Survey Open Through October 17

Loudoun County encourages residents to participate in an online survey about safety and operational improvements proposed for Route 15 between Montresor Road and the Point of Rocks Bridge. The survey will be open through Wednesday, October 17.​

The survey presents three options for consideration:

• No Build – Keep the road as is.​
• Option A – Keep Route 15 as two lanes but add a median and adequate shoulders between Montresor Road and St. Clair Lane; the segment north of St. Clair Lane would remain two lanes undivided but would add shoulders to that portion of the road.​
• Option B – Widen Route 15 to four lanes with a median between Montresor Road and the southern portion of the Village of Lucketts, and improve the roadway section between Lucketts and St. Clair Lane to provide safety improvements described in Option A.​

Both options A and B propose a bypass around the Village of Lucketts.  The survey also asks if there is a preference for the bypass to be located on the east or west side of Lucketts.​

The survey is a follow up to an open house hosted by the Loudoun County's Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure on September 26. 

More information about the Route 15 Safety and Operations study, including links to the survey and the proposed improvement concepts, may be found at www.loudoun.gov/route15.

Removal of On-Street Parking on Maple Leaf Place/Jennings Farm Drive Begins Oct. 15

Loudoun County is administering an improvement project in the Maple Leaf Place and Jennings Farm Drive area of Sterling to remove on-street parking. The project is being implemented to improve pedestrian and motorist safety. 

Due to the narrow width of these roadways, the current on-street parking on both sides of these streets will be eliminated.

Effective Monday, Oct. 15, when work is scheduled to begin, on-street parking will no longer be permitted on these streets. Vehicles parked on these streets on or after Oct. 15 will be towed. 

The improvements, as directed by the Board of Supervisors, include the removal of existing pavement markings, elimination of the shadow of old pavement markings, and installation of new pavement markings and signage compliant with current standards of the Virginia Department of Transportation.  

The work is scheduled to occur from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Oct. 15 to Nov. 2, 2018, weather permitting. Access to all properties will be maintained during the work.  

Questions about the project may be directed to Loudoun County Construction Program Manager Scott Worrest of the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure at 571-258-3876.

Nighttime Lane Closures on Rt. 7 at Rt. 659 Scheduled This Week

Nighttime lane closures and detours are scheduled to occur this week on westbound Route 7 at the Route 659 (Belmont Ridge Road) interchange Monday, Oct. 1, through Friday, Oct. 5, beginning at 10 p.m. each night.

The work will conclude by 6 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 5. On Saturday, Oct. 6, the work will conclude by 9 a.m.

A map of the westbound detour that will be in place during the closure process can be found at https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/135865.

Sept. 26 Open House on Route 15 Safety and Operational Study

Loudoun County is hosting an open house on the Route 15 Safety and Operational Study on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Members of the public are invited to view material associated with the study and provide comments on proposed improvement concepts.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018, 7-8:30 p.m., at Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Road, Leesburg.

The segment of Route 15 between Montresor Road and the Maryland state line is the focus of the Route 15 Safety and Operational Study.  An analysis of the existing conditions has been prepared, public input has been analyzed to identify the key issues of this corridor, and improvement concepts have been prepared. A summary of the public input will be presented at the open house meeting, conceptual improvement alternatives will be displayed and the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and express their comments.​

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More information about the Route 15 Safety and Operational Study is online at www.loudoun.gov/Route15.

Loudoun County to Launch New Metro Connection Bus Service from Purcellville Oct. 1

Beginning Monday, Oct. 1, Loudoun County Transit will operate Metro Connection bus service from the new park and ride lot in Purcellville to the Silver Line Metrorail Station at Wiehle-Reston East.  

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This direct, non-stop bus service will depart from 412 Browning Court beginning at 4:45 a.m., Monday through Friday, with trips every half hour until 8:45 a.m. Buses will also pick up passengers wishing to travel to Purcellville from Wiehle-Reston East in the morning from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. In the afternoon, buses will make return trips to Purcellville from Wiehle-Reston East from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from Purcellville to Wiehle-Reston East from 3:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.  ​

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Route 931 is the designation for Purcellville departures and Route 932 for Wiehle-Reston East departures. Normally these trips would have a cash fare of $1, but through the month of October, Loudoun County's Metro Connection bus service is free.  ​

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This new Metro Connection bus service from Purcellville and the free bus rides are offered through the ISHARE66 Commuter Incentives program, designed to reduce traffic congestion and promote alternative modes of transportation through the Interstate 66 corridor. The incentives are funded through the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission's I-66 Commuter Choice program and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Details on other incentives and commuter rewards can be found at ishare66.org.​

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More information about Loudoun Transit's Metro Connection bus service is online at www.loudoun.gov/silverlinebuses.

Sobriety Checkpoint in Loudoun County Tonight (Sept. 14)

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Friday, Sept. 14. The sobriety checkpoint will begin shortly after 10 p.m.  

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Members of the Loudoun Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint.    ​

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"The sobriety checkpoint is a reminder to residents to make the smart choice, don't drink and drive," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman.

Loudoun County Sheriff's Officeo Launches Back-to-School Enforcement Campaign

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is launching an enforcement and public education campaign as part of the agency's efforts to ensure the safety and welfare for the children returning to school.    ​

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Summer break is coming to a close and Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman is asking drivers to help make this a safe-school year by watching for children walking to and from school. ​

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Loudoun Sheriff's Deputies will be conducting a Back-to-School campaign over the next few weeks strictly enforcing speed and other traffic violations around local schools. Loudoun Sheriff's Deputies will be utilizing RADAR, LIDAR, "Smart Trailers", variable message boards to display safety messages, marked and unmarked cruisers, as well as the agency's motorcycle unit.​

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"The Sheriff's Office is asking that all drivers follow all speed and traffic signs, obey all signals by law enforcement and crossing guards, and be prepared to stop for school buses en route to pick up and drop off students," said Sheriff Chapman in his annual back-to-school safety message. To view the safety message, please click here.​

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The Loudoun Sheriff's Office offers the following tips for students and parents from the National Transportation Safety Board to help make this a safe school-year: ​

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Walking to School​

• In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a "walking school bus," in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school.​
• If your child is young or is walking to a new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely.​
• Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.​
• Do not push or shove others when you walk.​
• When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars. Do not cross if a car is coming and use a crosswalk if available.​

Riding your Bicycle​

• Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.​
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.​
• Use appropriate hand signals.​
• Respect traffic lights and stop signs.​
• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.​
• Know the "rules of the road."​
• Never use headphones or cell phones while riding.​

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Tips for Motorists​

• All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.​
• Do not text or talk on your cell phone while driving.​
• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.​
• Be alert for school zones that have a reduced speed limit at designated times of the day.​
• Watch for school buses. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate the school bus is stopping to load or unload children. State law requires you to stop.​
• Keep an eye out for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.​
• Be alert for children playing and gathering near bus stops and for those who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.​
• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking or biking to school.​
• When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for young people who may be in a hurry to get to or away from school and may not be thinking about getting there safely.​

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Tips for Students​

• Always buckle up when riding in a car. Be sure to remove your backpack before getting in the vehicle. Never buckle your safety belt with your backpack on.​
• Always ride in the back seat. It's the safest place for young people.​
• Always wear a helmet and follow traffic safety rules when riding your bike.​
• If you ride a school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus.​
• Never wait for the school bus in the roadway.​
• If you walk to school, learn and practice the safety rules for pedestrians. It's extremely important for you to use sidewalk when available, look left-right-left when crossing the road, and always walk facing traffic.​
• Always cross at cross walks; obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and crossing guard instructions.​
• Teen drivers should avoid speeding and distractions while driving, such as texting, talking on cell phones, eating and adjusting the radio. Teens are also reminded never to overload their vehicle; everyone riding in a vehicle must use a safety belt.​
• Be a good role model for your younger brothers, sisters and friends, and help them learn and follow vehicle safety rules.
  

Rt. 7/659 (Belmont Ridge Road) Interchange Now Fully Open to Traffic

The last interchange ramp for the Route7/659 (Belmont Ridge Road) project opened to traffic yesterday, Monday, Aug. 6. The opening of the final interchange ramp opens movements on and off of the fully functioning interchange bridge.

The project included designing and constructing a grade-separated interchange at the intersection of Route 7 and Belmont Ridge Road and the widening of existing Belmont Ridge Road, from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane, median-divided roadway with associated pedestrian facilities, between Route 7 and Gloucester Parkway. The project removed the last traffic signal on Route 7 between Lexington Drive and Battlefield Parkway, accomplishing the county's goal of transforming Route 7 into a limited-access highway. The new interchange has improved roadway safety and mobility. Additionally, bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Route 659 have been constructed within the project limits.

The Board of Supervisors, the Virginia Department of Transportation and others recognized this significant milestone in the project during a ceremony on July 27. While the opening of the ramp puts the interchange into full functionality, construction of the project is not scheduled to be complete until February 2019.

Updates and notices for the Route 7/659 Interchange project construction phase can be found at www.loudoun.gov/route7-659. Questions about the project may be directed to the Loudoun County Department of Transportation & Capital Infrastructure at route7-659@loudoun.gov.