Try Transit During "Try Transit Week" Next Month

Statewide Try Transit Week, which encourages Virginians to stop driving alone and try a form of transit such as bus, rail, carpool, vanpool or telework, will take place next month -- September 21 to 25.

Visit the Try Transit Web site to learn more about transit options, the benefits of using transit and for a chance to win a year’s pass to the transit service of your choice for a year.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

New Schedules Go Into Effect Today for Loudoun County Commuter Buses

Don't forget... new Loudoun County commuter bus schedules go into effect today. See our previous report, and don't miss your bus!

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Dulles Toll Increases the Subject of Two Upcoming Meetings

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will hold two more public meetings to solicit comments from the community regarding proposed toll rate increases to support the Dulles Metrorail Project and other Dulles Corridor transportation improvements. The proposal is to raise the rate at the main toll plaza from 75 cents to $1 in January 2010, to $1.25 in 2011 and to $1.50 in 2012.

According to an article in the Gainesville Times, "ramp rates will be increased from 50 cents to 75 cents in 2010. The 75-cent rate would remain in effect through 2012 but may increase in 2013, depending on circumstances. The current estimated cost of the Dulles Metrorail project is $5.25 billion cost for the first and second phases. Dulles Toll Road user fees are expected to generate 52.6 percent of the cost, or $2.76 billion. The federal government will kick in 17.1 percent – $900 million. Fairfax County's share is 16 percent or $845 million, and the Commonwealth of Virginia will pay 5.2 percent or $273 million. Loudoun County will pay 4.8 percent -- $252 million, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will be responsible for 4.1 percent or $215 million.

"The next meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Road in McLean. The final meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive in Reston.

"Each session will include exhibits on the scope, cost and financing of the Dulles Rail extension; potential future Dulles Toll Road improvements; revenue anticipated to be raised from the toll increases and how it will be spent."

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First Public Meeting on Proposed Dulles Toll Road Hike Held in Ashburn

The Loudoun Independent covered this past Monday night's meeting at Ashburn Elementary School by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which is holding a series of public meetings over the MWAA's proposed rate increases for the Dulles Toll Road.

"The estimated total cost for the 23-mile rail line from the East Falls Church Metro station to the end of the line at Route 772 in Loudoun County is $5.25 billion. Phase I of the Silver Line is scheduled to be completed in December 2013, and Phase II in December 2016.

"Of that amount, it is expected that Dulles Toll Road users would provide $2,761,500,000, or 52.6 percent, followed by federal money amounting to $900 million (17.1 percent); Fairfax County, $845,250,000 (16.1 percent); Commonwealth of Virginia $273,000,000 (5.2 percent); Loudoun County $252,000,000 (4.8 percent); and MWAA $215,250,000 (4.1 percent)."

According to a WMAA press release, the Airports Authority is proposing a toll rate increase of 25 cents at the Main Toll Plaza and 25 cents at the ramps of the Dulles Toll Road to take effect in 2010 if approved by the Airports Authority Board of Directors later this year. This proposal also includes an additional increase of 25 cents at the Main Toll Plaza in 2011 and another 25 cent
increase at the Main Toll Plaza in 2012.

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Another Important Hurdle is Cleared for Rail to Dulles

Fairfax County officials reported today that another important step was taken toward completing the long-awaited extension of Metrorail in the Dulles Corridor, serving not only Tysons Corner and Fairfax County, but also Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County and completing the transit link to the rest of the National Capital Region.

According to a county press release, this morning, Circuit Court Judge Stanley P. Klein ruled from the bench that the proposed plan to finance up to $400 million of the local share of the cost to construct Phase I of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project (the Project) through the issuance of EDA Bonds to be repaid with the proceeds of the special tax levied on commercial and industrial real estate in the Dulles Corridor Phase I Special Improvement Tax District (the District) is completely lawful and constitutional.

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Ribbon Cutting on Sept. 3 Signals Completion of Battlefield Parkway

The Virginia Department of Transportation will celebrate the completion of the $35 million extension of the Battlefield Parkway from Kincaid Boulevard to Route 7 in the Town of Leesburg with a ribbon-cutting next Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m.

This new, four-lane road is just under a mile long, and provides motorists an alternate option to Route 15 and the Route 15 Bypass for accessing the Dulles Greenway and Leesburg Executive Airport.

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer, Senator Mark Herring, Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Loudoun County Supervisor Kelly Burk are among the dignataries expected at the event.

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Paving and Milling for the Next Two Weeks on Route 50 from Arcola to Aldie

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Superior Paving will be performing milling and paving along Route 50 through next week from the Arcola area to a mile west of Aldie. The contractor will be working during the non-rush hour times both day and night. Motorists should expect flaggers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the day and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the evening. Please be careful and patient when traveling Route 50 during these hours.

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Apparent Power Outage Causes Traffic Signals to Malfunction in Sterling and Ashburn Area

An apparent power outage has caused several traffic signals to
malfunction in the Sterling and Ashburn areas. Intersections affected
include Shaw Road at Old Ox Road, Shaw Road at Sterling Boulevard, Old
Ox Road at Relocation Drive, Old Ox Road at Pacific Boulevard, Old Ox
Road at Moran Road, Broadlands Boulevard at Claiborne Parkway,
Claiborne Parkway at Waxpool Road and Shellhorn Road at Blossom Hill
Terrace.

Motorists are reminded that an intersection where the traffic signals
are off due to a power failure must be treated as a four-way stop.

For real-time information on traffic-related incidents worked by the
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, please visit www.loudoun.gov/traffic
or via your Web browsing cell phone at www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic.

Loudoun County Commuter Bus Schedules to Change at the End of Month

New schedules for Loudoun County commuter buses will go into effect on August 31. Below are details of the changes:

Purcellville Riders - The DC7 will no longer pick up at Patrick Henry College. The DC7 will now pick up at the St. Andrews church. This change is necessary as there is limited space at Patrick Henry and the bus service reports that it cannot jeopardize its lease by exceeding the allotted parking spaces.

Dulles South Riders - A shuttle has been added to meet the mid-day bus (FM1) at Dulles North on Fridays only. Dulles South riders may transfer free to this shuttle, which will take them directly to the Park and Ride lot at Stone Ridge.

Dulles North Riders - Parking lot capacity remains an issue at Dulles North. If your destination is Rosslyn or the west side of D.C., use the Ashburn North lot. There are convenient parking spaces and seats available from this lot.

Ashburn North Riders - A fourth run has been added to depart Ashburn North at 7:10 a.m. A Rosslyn stop has been added to all of the a.m. buses and three of the four p.m. buses.

Reverse Commute Riders - The R3P will begin its run 10 minutes earlier. This change will help maintain the schedule on the subsequent runs operated by this same bus. The R3P will now pick up at Dulles North @ 4:20 p.m., AOL at 4:25 p.m., and Verizon @ 4:30 p.m.

Cascades Schedule

Leesburg Schedule

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Don't Let Your Car Overheat!

WTOP Radio reported yesterday on how the hot weather can affect your car, and the station provided some tips on how to keep your car cool during this August heat wave, even if you can't be.

"If your car's temperature gauge inches above normal, experts offer up these tips:

• Turn on your car's heater to dissipate heat away from the engine.
• In heavy traffic, keep space between you and the car ahead to maximize airflow.
• In slow traffic, pop your hood so it stays closed on the safety catch. Remember to secure it again before speeding back up.
• Pull over. Turn your car off for awhile.
• Some batteries take water that can evaporate in hot weather. Top off with distilled water.
  Most radiators like a 50-50 mix of water and anti-freeze.
• Keep up with oil changes. Use oil with heavier viscosity in hot weather. Instead of 5W-30 consider choosing 10W-30, 10W-40 or even 20W-30. Synthetic oils endure heat best.
• Check tire pressure when your tires are cool. Under-inflated tires can run hot and increases the risk for blowouts. "

Read the complete WTOP Radio article.

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Lawsuit Seeks to Stop Toll Road Hikes

A group led by a longtime Dulles rail opponent has filed another lawsuit to try and stop the rail extension, this time by going after its toll-based financing.

According to the Fairfax Times, "the Dulles Corridor Users Group, founded by Chris Walker, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on Aug. 6 asking the court to stop the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority from collecting tolls on the Dulles Toll Road. The Reston-based Parkridge 6 LLC is also a plaintiff.

"Named defendants include U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jim Bennett, and Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer.

"The airports authority fully took over management of the toll road and the rail project from the state last year in exchange for the right to collect future toll revenues and set toll rates. The authority is using toll revenue to back construction bonds for the second half of the rail construction.

"The 131-page complaint argues that the tolls are tantamount to a tax because they are being used to back construction bonds. The bonds are funding a portion of the first phase of the rail line, through Tysons Corner and out to Wiehle Avenue in Reston, and the bulk of the second phase to the airport.The airports authority does not have the authority to levy taxes under the Virginia Constitution, the complaint states, and should not be allowed to raise tolls."

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August 4 Single Vehicle Crash on Gum Spring Road Takes Life of Leesburg Man

A single vehicle crash that occurred last week near the Loudoun County-Prince William County line has taken the life of a 28-year-old Leesburg man.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office reports that James M. Powell, Jr., was traveling south on Gum Spring Road near Mayhew Lane around 8 a.m. on August 4, when the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver was wearing his seatbelt and the vehicle’s airbags deployed.

Powell was initially taken to Prince William County Hospital but was later airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on the evening of August 10.

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VDOT Response to the Opening of Russell Branch Parkway

Here's an update from a post on Thursday, July 23, about the expected delays on Route 7 at Loudoun County Parkway for the next several weeks. Here's some of the info we posted:

Motorists are advised that beginning next week, major night closures will occur on Route 7 near the Loudoun County Parkway due to construction of the new Route 7/Route 607 interchange. Weather permitting, the closures will begin the night of Monday, July 27, and continue through September 3.

You'll notice we had a comment about that post from "anonymous" that said it would be helpful if VDOT would open Russell Branch Parkway. We wanted to let you know that VDOT has provided Loudoun County Traffic an update:

"The county submitted the street acceptance package to VDOT a couple of weeks ago for the section of Russell Branch Parkway from Loudoun County Parkway to Richfield Way. VDOT is now doing the inspection and going through the process to approve and accept the road into the VDOT system."

"The acceptance package for the other, longer section of Russell Branch Parkway—from Loudoun County Parkway to Ashburn Village Boulevard—has not yet been submitted to VDOT."

(Editors note: Apparently there is some corrective work to be done before the longer section can be submitted to VDOT, which also indicated they have not yet received a timeline for the completion of that work.)

"The shorter portion will likely be ready to open first, in the next couple of months. The second portion will be helpful in relieving delays near the Route 7/Loudoun County Parkway interchange."

Thanks to our readers for the questions/comments, and thanks to VDOT for responding and providing valuable information of interest to Loudoun County commuters.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Gum Spring Road to be Closed Aug. 9-11

The Loudoun Maintenance Office of the Virginia Department of
Transportation (VDOT) has announced that Gum Spring Road (Route 659)
will be closed from 7 a.m. on Sunday, August 9, through 4:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, August 11, between Braddock Road (Route 620) and Ticonderoga
Road (Route 613) for major storm drainage pipe repairs. Traffic will
be detoured on Ticonderoga Road during the closure.

YMCA's Leesburg 10K/20K Race Could Affect Local Roads on Sunday

Race officials anticipate 1,500 runners for the Loudoun County YMCA's Leesburg 10K/20K race this Sunday, Aug. 9. This 21st annual race has a new route this year.

According to the Loudoun Times-Mirror, "The course this year is being rerouted around Leesburg to provide more time on the roads before accessing the W&OD Trail. It starts at the traditional point at Market Station on Harrison Street and follows Catoctin Circle to the W&OD Trail."

The courses start and finish together in downtown Leesburg on Harrison Street in front of Market Station (in front of Tuscarora Restaurant, 203 Harrison Street, SE 20175). The course proceeds south on Harrison Street, right onto Catoctin Circle, and then right into the shopping center parking lot, before exiting onto Fairfax Street and turning right onto King Street. Runners will turn left onto the W&OD Trail, following an out-and-back course on the trail.

The 10K turnaround is just before Milepost 37. 20K runners will continue on, crossing over Rt. 7 and past Simpson Circle, before turning around approximately one-third of a mile beyond Milepost 39.5.

The race begins at 7:30 a.m. and is anticipated to end at approximately 11 a.m.

If you're in the area on Sunday morning, be prepared for heavier than normal (foot) traffic, and allow a few extra minutes if your route to church takes you this way.

And good luck to all the runners, and thanks to this year's sponsors!

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.