VDOT Unveils New Snow Plow Status Website

Did you see this week's big news from VDOT about snow plowing?

Granted, the weather doesn't necessarily feel like snow, but we've heard forecasts that February could be a big month for snow. And just in time, the Virginia Department of Transportation has now come out with a website where Loudoun County residents -- as well as Fairfax and Prince William County -- can see the status of plowing in northern Virginia neighborhoods.

Once it snows at least two inches, residents can find out the status of plowing at http://novasnowplowing.virginia.gov. The Web page activates when two or more inches have accumulated.

Users can enter an address in northern Virginia to see a color-coded snow map that indicates the plowing status in that area:

• Green indicates a neighborhood has been plowed.
• Yellow means plows are in progress in the neighborhood.
• Blue indicates plows have not yet started the neighborhood.
• Gray means the area is not maintained by VDOT. Cities, towns and some developments maintain their own roads.

Check out a video of how to use the webpage.



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Traffic Signal Outage

The Loudoun County Sheriffs office reports a traffic signal outage on Cascades Parkway at Palisade Parkway due to a crash. Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is on the scene, please follow traffic control direction at the scene.   

Please remember that incidents where traffic signals are off due to power failure must be treated as a four-way stop.

Is It Possible That Loudoun County Could Back Out of Dulles Rail Project

The first phase of the new Silver Line is well underway, but according to WTOP Radio, now there is concern that Phase 2 of the 23-mile Metro expansion to the airport may run into money troubles again.

Loudoun County Supervisors, with seven new members in a budget-cutting mood, have talked about possibly dropping out of the project and canceling the last two stations of the $2.8 billion project.

According to the story, Board chairman Scott York says the new board of supervisors needs to get up to speed on both the money and politics of the project and that could take more than a month to occur.

Read the complete article online at www.wtop.com/?nid=159&sid=2720245.

Weekend Ramp Work Continues Along Dulles Toll Road Through April

A four month project is underway to replace electronic equipment along the Dulles Toll Road ramps. Single lane closures are planned in the work zone. Only one ramp along the 14-mile Toll Road will be affected at a time. While work crews are present, traffic will be directed through the open lanes.

Schedule:

• Project began earlier this month and runs through April.
• Ramp work is scheduled for weekends only, weather permitting.
• Work commences Friday nights after 9:30 p.m. and concludes by 5 a.m. Monday morning.

According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the project is necessary so crews can replace aging electronic equipment cabinets which are integral to the operation of the toll lanes. Ramps without toll plazas will not experience lane closures as part of this project.

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Winter Weather Driving Safety Tips

Winter Weather Advisory In Affect Overnight

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the area and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is reminding motorists that winter driving can be hazardous, especially in our area where we normally receive a mixture of ice, freezing rain and snow.

The Loudoun Sheriff's Office reminds motorists to stay safe in the winter by also following these driving safety tips:

Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make the trip, ensure someone is aware of your route of travel.

Carry a cellular phone. Your cell phone can be used during emergencies and for notifying those expecting your arrival in case there are weather delays.

Always buckle-up. Your seat belt can be the best protection against drivers who are tense and in a hurry because of weather conditions.

Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights – even the hood and roof – before driving.

Pay attention. Don’t try to out-drive the conditions. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.

Leave plenty of room for stopping.

Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay back a safe stopping distance and don’t pass on the right.

Know the current road conditions: http://511virginia.org/Default.aspx; for statewide highway information 24-hours-a-day, call the Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD or check local traffic incident information at www.loudoun.gov/traffic (www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic via your web browsing cell phone).

Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time to stop in adverse conditions.

Watch for slippery bridges, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridges will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.

Don't use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Don't get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that your four-wheel drive vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won’t help you stop any faster. Many 4x4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don’t get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle’s traction. Your 4x4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.

Do not pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump brakes in attempting to stop. The right way is to “stomp and steer!”

Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do. Actions by cars and trucks will alert you quicker to problems and give you a split-second extra time to react safely.

Remember that trucks are heavier than cars. Trucks take longer to safely respond and come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

Go Slow!

Supervisors Call on VDOT for Study on Dulles Greenway Tolling

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is calling on the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to conduct a study to explore the feasibility and legality of distance-pricing tolling along the Dulles Greenway.   

A resolution unanimously adopted by the Board also asks the Virginia General Assembly to review the enabling authority which created the Dulles Greenway, including any authority for changing the ways tolls are charged on the road, and also to consider placing a cap on the overall toll rate structure.  

While the resolution "acknowledges the benefits the Dulles Greenway, and its operator Trip II, have provided" to Loudoun's residents and businesses, the resolution also expresses "deep concern as to the rising cost" of using the toll road, adding that the "Dulles Greenway tolls continue to escalate at ever-increasing rates which has led to increased traffic congestion on alternate roadways and may negatively impact the prospects for long-term economic growth within Loudoun County."  

In addition to the resolution, the Board approved a draft letter from Chairman Scott K. York to VDOT requesting the feasibility study of distance-based pricing of tolls on the Greenway. 

Transportation Initiatives in the Blue Ridge District

From the "Blue Ridge Community Connection" email newsletter by Blue Ridge District Supervisor, and Vice Chairman of the Board, Janet Clarke comes a list of initiatives, including transportation:

• Put the Route 7/690 interchange back in the CIP. The voters approved a bond referendum in November 2006 which approved the allocation of $500,000 to complete the conceptual design and preparation of an Interchange Justification Report (IJR) but was taken out in 2006. This much-needed interchange was taken out of the CIP during the Woodgrove High School litigation with the Town of Purcellville.
• Mitigate traffic on Route 9, particularly in Hillsboro. This is a safety issue.
• Mitigate traffic at Evergreen Mill and Ryan Road. This is also a safety issue.
• Expedite completion of the Loudoun County Parkway.
• Install traffic lights at major intersections in Brambleton.
• Activate the empty commuter lot on Creighton.
• Support widening Route 50 to Gilbert’s Corner.

Reprinted from the Jan. 19 "Blue Ridge Community Connection."

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Latest Proposal for Dulles Rail Project, Would Scrap Airport Station

According to WTOP Radio, a boardmember of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is proposing a radical change in the Dulles Rail project, saying the Dulles International Airport station should be scrapped altogether.

Boardmember Robert Clarke Brown made the suggestion during a MWAA meeting Wednesday, suggesting that the nearby Route 28 station should instead become the Airport station, and the Route 28 station should be outfitted with a "people mover" system that would ferry riders to and from the airport.

"In my view, this would actually be superior transportation service for our passengers [compared to what is currently planned], because the people mover would take them to the terminal," says Brown.

Under the current proposal for a Metro station at Dulles Airport, riders would get off the train on an elevated platform near the north airport garage, which is on the opposite side of the large parking bowl in front of the main terminal. Riders will then have to take an elevator down to an underground area beneath the parking bowl and take moving walkways to the terminal. 

According to the WTOP story, when asked how much could be saved, "the head of the Dulles Rail project, Pat Nowakowski, told the board this option could save around $70 million"

Read the complete story or you can listen to the WTOP story by Adam Tuss.

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Ashburn Woman Charged in May 2012 Hit and Run

The Loudoun County Sheriffs office reports that an Ashburn woman has been charged in connection with the May 12, 2011 hit and run of a pedestrian on Gloucester Parkway.  

Brittany A. Harris, 20, was charged yesterday, Thursday, January 12, with felony hit and run. She is accused of leaving the scene of the incident after she struck a 55-year-old female who was attempting to cross Gloucester Parkway at Ashby Ponds Boulevard. The hit and run occurred around 7:20 p.m.

The victim was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and has since been released.       

Based on witness statements and evidence located at the scene, Loudoun County Sheriff's Crash Investigators were able to identify the possible make and model of the vehicle. The investigation by Crash Reconstruction Investigators identified the driver of the vehicle.  

Harris was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center by a Loudoun County Magistrate on a Personal Recognizance bond. 

Highway Safety Group Gives Virginia a Low Rating

The Associated Press, in an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, reports that Virginia gets a low rating from a highway safety advocacy group because it doesn't have laws a primary seat belt enforcement law and several other measures.

A report released Wednesday by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety gives Virginia a red rating. That means the commonwealth has fewer than seven of the 15 laws that the group considers optimal for highway safety. According to the report, Virginia lacks restrictions on teen drivers and a ban on texting by all drivers. The commonwealth also needs tougher impaired driver laws.

The report says motor vehicle accidents cost Virginia's economy $5.2 billion annually.

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