Gilbert's Corner Roundabout Construction Detour Starts July 1

Beginning July 1, motorists on Route 50 in Loudoun County will be detoured around the intersection at Route 15 (Gilbert’s Corner), as the Virginia Department of Transportation continues to build four roundabouts along the two corridors. The shift will last 10-12 weeks, and is expected to add five minutes to non-rush-hour trips and up to 15 minutes during rush hour.

Route 50 will be closed between Route 15 and the newly built connector road, Howsers Branch Drive, about a quarter-mile south of Gilbert’s Corner. Motorists will be detoured to Howsers Branch Drive and a new roundabout on Route 15. A final detour is planned for Watson Road later this summer to complete construction on the roundabouts. VDOT will keep the public informed well in advance of this change.

The roundabouts are an effort to improve safety and traffic flow, while slowing motorists along Routes 50 and 15. Roundabouts are being constructed at Gilbert’s Corner, Route 50 and Watson Road, and at either end of Howsers Branch Drive. The direct link Howsers Branch creates between Routes 50 and 15 will allow some northbound Route 15 and westbound Route 50 traffic to bypass Gilbert's Corner, reducing vehicles through that intersection by about one-third.

This $15.8 million project is scheduled to be complete in late 2009. Under a design-build contract with The Lane Construction Corporation and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., design and construction are being closely coordinated to reduce the project’s cost and duration.

Gilbert’s Corner is the second of three Route 50 traffic-calming projects along a 20-mile corridor from Paris in Fauquier County to Lenah in Loudoun County. Improvements in Upperville were finished in October 2008, and a project in Aldie is expected to begin construction in 2010.

According to a VDOT press release, roundabouts are considered one of the safest types of intersection, moving traffic while reducing crashes, delays, fuel consumption, air pollution, and maintenance costs.

More information on Virginia’s roundabouts, including an instructional video and printable brochure are available here. Gilbert’s Corner project information is available at www.virginiadot.org/ and at www.route50.org/.

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19 Bridges in Loudoun County Need Work, but Only Two Will Get Stimulus Money

According to a published report in the Loudoun Times-Mirror, Loudoun County will receive about $1.5 million in federal funding for the Sand Branch bridge on Route 609 (Pleasant Valley Road) near Round Hill and the Butchers Creek bridge on Route 719 (Airmont Road) in southern Loudoun near the Prince William County line.

Although the state has identified 19 bridges in Loudoun as needing care, these are the only two that will receive federal stimulus funding.

"State bridge inspectors, he said, rank each bridge's condition on a 9 to 0 scale, with 9 being excellent and 0 being a failed bridge. The two Loudoun bridges getting federal funding received a 4 – a poor ranking -- from state inspectors.

"The lowest ranking given to a bridge in Loudoun was a 3, or serious. This ranking was applied to the bridge near the Bull Run Post Office Road at the southern tip of Loudoun, and another off Loyalty Road near Taylorstown in the Lovettsville area."

Photo courtesy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror.

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Airports Authority Set to Increase Fees on the Dulles Toll Road to Pay for Dulles Rail

Today's big news is about the Dulles Toll Road. According to lots of media reports, The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is proposing a toll increase along the Dulles Toll Road to help fund the Dulles rail project.

The Washington Business Journal quotes MWAA spokeswoman Tara Hamilton who said, “We are responsible for the rail going through the corridor as well as making improvements to the toll road, so the toll increase will back revenue bonds for the rail line. We're treating the corridor as one entity."

"The tolls will back revenue bonds the group plans to sell this summer. The MWAA will determine who can buy the bonds as well as the increments in which they will be sold by the end of August. According to the MWAA’s report at Tuesday’s meeting, the gross toll revenue collected on the Dulles Toll Road will need to increase from about $65 million in 2008 to $87 million in 2010 and $220 million by 2020 in order to cover the potential debt from bonds. It expects to issue $2.9 billion in bonds over the next five years."

The Business Journal notes that the Metrorail, which will stretch from West Falls Church to Route 772 in Loudoun County, is under construction and slated for completion by the end of 2016. The federal government has contributed $900 million to the project and Virginia has paid $275 million. Other partners are the MWAA, which will pay $215 million, Loudoun County, which will contribute $252 million, and Fairfax County, which will add $846 million to the pot. The remainder of the $5.2 billion needed to complete the line will come from debt secured by toll revenue.

The Washington Post's Loudoun Extra reports that the authority has planned a series of public hearings for this year, and its 13-member board of directors will vote on the matter in the fall. "But with so much of the rail project dependent on toll revenue, it is not a question of whether the tolls will increase but whether the changes will take place incrementally or all at once.

"Under the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority proposal, tolls would go up incrementally, starting in January. It costs 75 cents to drive through the main plaza and 50 cents to use one of the on- or offramps. The proposal, subject to approval by the authority's board of directors, would increase the main toll to $1.50 by 2012, and the ramp toll would rise to 75 cents.

"Under the proposal, tolls at the main plaza and the ramps would increase by 25 cents next year; only the main plaza toll would rise thereafter, by a quarter in 2011 and another quarter in 2012."

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Summer Driving Safety Tips

Summer is here. Schools are out and vacations are in. So now seems like a good time to remind Loudoun County's motorists about summer driving safety.

America's Road Team Captains, elite professional truck drivers chosen by the American Trucking Associations, are offering advice on how to navigate through highway traffic and arrive at your destination safely. Tips include:

• Plan your route: Know where you are going and be prepared to exit. Indecisive driving is a major cause of traffic problems.
• Keep extra water in your vehicle: Just as you keep a winter driving kit in your vehicle, it is important to be prepared when driving during the summer months. Keep plenty of extra water, sunscreen and non-perishable snacks in your car in case you are stranded.
• Be aware of truck blind spots: When sharing the road with large trucks, be aware of their blind spots. If you can't see the truck driver in his or her mirrors, then the truck driver can't see you.
• Slow Down: With the extra highway congestion due to summer travel, speeding becomes even more dangerous. Allow plenty of space and reduce your speed.
• Wait until parked to use cell phones: Driver inattentiveness is a major cause of traffic accidents. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident.
• Buckle up: Safety belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and are a simple way to increase your safety on the road.
• Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.

Let's have a safe and happy summer on the roadways Loudoun County!

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Washington, D.C. Drivers 6th Most Courteous in the Nation

Did you happen to hear about this survey last week that ranked Washington, D.C. area drivers as the sixth most courteous in the nation, as reported by Dr. Gridlock in the Wasington Post? It's true, at least according to fourth annual survey of road rageousness by the AutoVantage auto club.

The top five courteous cities this year were: New York, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Here's the most-courteous list and the least-courteous list.

The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock even has his own survey to find out how courteous area drivers really are.

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How Would You Like to Be Paid to Carpool?

WTOP Radio reported last week that "Starting in the fall, the Commuter Connections Work Program will pay people $2 every day they carpool. The aim is to reduce the number of solo drivers on the three of the area's most congestion-choked roads.

"Commuters in three areas are the focus of this new pilot program:

• The Capital Beltway between Bethesda and Tysons Corner
• The Capital Beltway between the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and Interstate 270
• Interstate 395 North from Northern Virginia into D.C.

"According to a recent Transportation Planning Board study, these three particular areas also are some of the most congested in the region. Program participants will be tracked electronically and only be paid for the days they actually carpool. The pilot program will last 3 months."

Watch the WABC TV-7 video:

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Update on Loudoun County Road Projects

Here's a good article by Holly Hobbs with the Loudoun Times-Mirror providing updates on road projects in Loudoun County. The story provides info on the Belmont/Route 7 interchange, Sycolin Road and Route 606 (Loudoun County Parkway).

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Special Tax District to Fund Bridge Repair in Greenlea

The Loudoun Times-Mirror reports that Loudoun County's supervisors voted unanimously on June 16 to "approve a special tax district on the 19 homes in the Greenlea neighborhood – a small development south of Leesburg – to pay for a new bridge."

According to the article, "Crooked Bridge, the only entrance into Greenlea, was damaged during a May 2008 storm that sent debris down Goose Creek. The debris congested under the bridge and damaged its supports. Since then, Greenlea residents have crossed the bridge at their own risk.

"The cost of the new bridge, over 15 years, will amount to about $665,000 divided among the homes. The tax district will be applied only to the homes in that neighborhood."

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Section of Sycolin Road to Close June 22

According to the Loudoun Extra, the Virginia Department of Transportation has announced that starting June 22, "Sycolin Road will be closed between Gulick Road and Turner Farm Lane as crews work on improvements of the two-lane gravel road between Shreve Mill and Goose Creek.

"This section of road is expected to open again by Sept. 4, just in time for the new school year. The $2.5 million dollar Sycolin Road project began in April and includes paving, improving drainage, straightening curves, widening the roadway to two 12-foot lanes and adding four-foot shoulders on each side. VDOT estimates that the entire project will be completed by the end of the year.

"Fewer than 3,000 vehicles currently use Sycolin Road; VDOT projects the road will carry up to 10,000 vehicles a day by 2020."

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Options for Route 28

According to the Loudoun Times, "the dire economy has provided Loudoun with an opportunity to take a second look at land-use options for the Route 28 corridor, county staff told supervisors at a meeting last week."

"Option 1 for the corridor explores land use, economic improvements and transportation issues in the corridor as a whole. Staff members said looking at the bigger picture could make this area a major economic driver for the county.

"In option 2, the county would expand development options for smaller areas in the corridor currently zoned for commercial and retail space building. The zoning changes to these areas, supervisors said, could include residential growth.

"Option 3 looks at even smaller changes to the corridor, with specific regulatory and programmatic changes (such as to the county sign ordinance). These changes, staff said, could help generate economic development in eastern Loudoun. Business owners in this area have said the county's sign ordinance, which governs commercial sign height and size, is too restrictive.

"Board members voted 8-1 to send the options to the county Economic Development Committee for more study. In addition, county staff members have fielded bids for a market study, which would be completed before the board takes its August recess."

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Board of Supervisors Approves Preferred Location for Section of Shaw Road

According to the Loudoun Independent, by a 7-0-2 vote, the "Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution regarding the preferred location of the northern east-west section of Shaw Road in the Belfort Park area of Sterling between Church Road and Sterling Boulevard, adjacent to Route 28. Supervisors also agreed to forward the adopted resolution to the Loudoun County Planning Commission for consideration in the commission review of the draft 2009 Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP). Supervisors acted to assure planning commissioners are aware of the board’s desired alignment and vision for that segment of Shaw Road near the county owned Old Sterling Annex property."

The paper added, "The impetus for the change in alignment and scale of roadway comes as a result of the work of the Belfort Park Task Force—formed in 2008 by Loudoun supervisors to address land use and transportation issues with the mixed use residential, retail and commercial area alongside Route 28 from Sterling Boulevard to Church Road."

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Dulles Greenway Sees Decrease in Drivers

According to today's Loudoun Times-Mirror, the number of drivers on the Dulles Greenway decreased 8 percent from January to May this year as compared to the same period a year ago. And the paper reports, 4 percent of drivers are choosing alternate routes other than the Dulles Toll Road.

"Paying $4.50 at the mainline toll plaza to the Dulles Toll Road is not worth it for Dorothy Middleton. She travels from her Leesburg home to her Reston workplace mostly on Route 7, because, she said, 'It's too expensive and also the traffic is bad" at the Dulles Greenway tollbooth before the road becomes the Dulles Toll Road.'

"The January toll increase from $3 to $3.40 during off-rush hours and $4 during rush hour have contributed to the decrease in ridership, said Tom Sines, chief executive officer of Toll Road Investors. Layoffs, AOL's downsizing and the rising price of gasoline are also factors.

"Given the recession, the adage "time is money" is driven into the ditch. Now, money is money. Annually, a five-day-a-week commuter on the Dulles Greenway would pay about $2,000 a year to travel during rush hour. For a commuter like Middleton, who passes through the Dulles Greenway toll booth and onto the Dulles Toll Road, that cost would run up to $2,250 annually."

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WTOP Radio Offers Custom Commute

In case you haven't heard, WTOP Radio is offering a way to help ease your commuting woes with "Custom Commute."

Custom Commute, powered by Trafficland.com, lets you choose specific traffic cameras along your own personalized route (or routes) so you can see how your trip looks before you hit the road. You can save your customized routes to easily access them at any time.

Custom Commute is online at wtop.com.

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Loudoun Independent Reports on Route 7/ Loudoun County Parkway Project

According to a story by John Toler in today's Loudoun Independent, the most obvious part of the Route 7-607 Interchange project seen by drivers passing through the area are the mounds of dirt and large steel-and-concrete bridge piers going up along Route 7. But there is much more to Loudoun County’s 7-607 project.

"Classified as a grade-separated Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI), the project includes 2,400 feet of new alignment for Loudoun County Parkway, provisions for numerous infrastructure changes and extensive grading, in addition to the Route 7 overpass.

"The plans also provide for new and modified traffic signals; maintenance of traffic, erosion and sediment control; stormwater management and lighting. Utility relocations at the work site are extensive, and include replacement of 2,200 feet of 24-inch gas transmission line; replacement and upgrading of 2,800 feet of 30-inch water line; a 48-inch waterline open cut across Route 7; and 6,000 feet of communication duct bank."

The Independent reports that the $23.3 million project on Route 7 at the Loudoun County Parkway, which was funded by Loudoun County through a 2006 bond referendum, "went out for bids in December 2008, with the winning bidder, Shirley Contracting Company LLC, starting the work in January 2009. Once completed, one of Loudoun County’s “Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections” will be eliminated."

As Loudoun County Traffic reported yesterday, the Loudoun County Office of Capital Construction will hold a public information session about the project on Tuesday, June 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Research 1 Building on the George Washington University campus, 20101 Academic Way in Ashburn. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the project.

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Public Info Session to be Held June 23 on Route 7 and Loudoun County Parkway

The Loudoun County Office of Capital Construction will hold a public information session about construction of the Route 7 & Route 607 (Loudoun County Parkway) interchange on Tuesday, June 23. The meeting is scheduled from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Research 1 Building on the George Washington University campus, 20101 Academic Way in Ashburn. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about the project.

The interchange is the county’s first construction project under the local road bond program approved by voters in November 2006. For more information about the project, contact Kent Marrs, Office of Capital Construction.

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