Survey Says Virginians Are Unfamiliar with Gas Tax

According to a story on InsideNova.com, Virginians do not know how much the statewide gas tax is.

The story reports that "many of the respondents in a recent statewide poll of 506 likely voters, commissioned by Christopher Newport University and two other state media outlets, believe the gas tax to be 72 cents per gallon statewide. In reality, the tax is about 18 cents, according to the survey results.

"The question about the gas tax was a multiple choice question. Respondents were given options like 28 cents, 45 cents, 72 cents and the correct answer of 18 cents per gallon. The results stated 63.7 percent admitted they didn’t know what the answer was.

"The last time the state increased the gas tax was 22 years ago, when the state created the Transportation Trust fund. Since 2002, money from the transportation trust fund has been funneled to cover the costs of maintenance and upkeep of the state’s transportation network. Now the state boasts 1,700 structurally-deficient bridges. Virginia Transportation officials announced last week the state will fork out $58 million to repair 119 bridges, two of which are in Loudoun County."

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Try Transit Week a Success; Loudoun Commuter Wins Prize

For the second straight year, more than 1,000 Virginians pledged to stop driving alone and try a form of transit during Try Transit Week. The event, which took place from September 21-25, helped raise awareness about available transit options and about the benefits of using transit, such as saving time and money.

During Try Transit Week, Virginians were encouraged to visit www.trytransitweek.com to learn more about the transit options available and to pledge to try a form of transit other than driving alone. Each pledge to try transit was automatically entered into the contest to win a one- year, free transit pass.

For the second straight year, a Loudoun County Commuter bus rider won the contest. Debbie Haught of Ashburn was randomly selected to win the one-year, free transit pass.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) conducts the annual statewide event to encourage Virginians to try all forms of transit including bus, rail, carpools, vanpools and telework. Officials say taking transit can help an average family save more than $9,000 a year. Encouraging the use of transit also is important to help reduce highway congestion, harmful emissions in the environment and the high cost of commuting.

More information on the Loudoun County Commuter Bus system as well as other locally available commuting options is available on the Loudoun County Web site at www.loudoun.gov/bus.

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NVTC and Metro to Host Public Forum on Budget Issues Tonight

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and Metro will co-host a public forum to address critical budget issues including operating challenges and capital needs for the FY 2011 budget tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 21, at George Mason High School, 7124 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Metro General Manager John Catoe will give a presentation that outlines Metro’s fiscal challenges as well as some proposed solutions. A public discussion will follow.

The cost of Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess services is funded in part by passenger revenues and, in part, by subsidies provided by the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland and local jurisdictions in Virginia.

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HOV Violators to be Targeted During Tomorrow Morning's Commute

According to InsideNova.com, Virginia State Police will be patrolling during tomorrow morning's (Wednesday) rush hour looking for drivers violating High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) restrictions on Interstates 95 and 395.

The article reports that "Officers will be on the look out for violators — single drivers who use the express lanes — from Dumfries to the Pentagon between 6 and 9 a.m. Troopers will also patrol for drivers who wait on highway shoulders for the HOV restrictions to be lifted at 9 a.m.

"In 2009, police in Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington counties and the City of Alexandria have issued 15,077 HOV violations. That number is up by more than 1,600 more over all last year, according to state police."

HOV lanes are restricted to cars and buses with three or more passengers in them, from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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"Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm" During 43rd Annual National School Bus Safety Week

The American School Bus Council asks drivers of passenger vehicles to ensure the continued safety of school bus transportation with National School Bus Safety Week, October 19-23, and the 2009 theme, Avoid Harm, Obey the Stop Arm.

Educating parents about the proven safety of the school bus is another critical objective during the national observance as a recent survey from the Council found that 49 percent of parents incorrectly believe a car driven by an adult is the safest mode of transportation to get students to and from school.

So let's be sure to drive carefully and watch our for Loudoun County school kids during National School Bus Safety Week.

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"Orange Cones, No Phones" Campaign Targets Cell Phone Use in Work Zones

While the word is out about texting and talking on the cell phone while driving, the danger is compounded through a work zone.

This message is the main point behind the “Orange Cones, No Phones” campaign aimed at drivers traveling the I-495 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes construction zone on the Capital Beltway.

According to a report compiled by Transurban-Fluor and AAA Mid-Atlantic, 56 percent of the approximately 210,000 daily drivers on the Capital Beltway use their cellphone or read and write text messages while driving. Nearly half of those cell phone drivers make no change while driving in construction zones.

“We need the full attention of drivers when traveling in the changing and constricted construction zone on the Capital Beltway,” said Tim Steinhilber, Transurban-Fluor’s General Manager for the Capital Beltway HOT lanes project.

VDOT, the Federal Highway Administration and the Virginia State Police are promoting the "Orange Cones, No Phones" awareness program on the radio, Internet, social networking venues, schools and employers.

For more information, visit virginiahotlanes.com.

Reprinted from the VDOT "Northern Virginia Project News" newsletter, October 2009, Vol. 2, Issue 9.

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Gilberts Corner Update

This reminder from VDOT...

Although all the roundabouts at Gilberts Corner are operational, a lot of work remains to be done. The contractor’s employees are working behind all the barrels along the project and construction equipment is also using the roadways.

VDOT reminds motorists in the area to please be careful when traveling through the work zones.

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The Train Beats Driving From Lynchburg to D.C.

Did you know that taking the train is faster than driving from Lynchburg to Washington, DC? That according to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).

DRPT says to "give yourself a break and try the new Amtrak Virginia service. Use your free time to work, catch up with friends and family, or just relax along the way."

DRPT notes that if you’re going further north, you can be in New York City before 3:30 p.m. without having to change trains on the direct Northeast Corridor service. See amtrakvirginia.com for more information on Amtrak service in Virginia.

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New Details: Dulles Toll Road's $54 Million Open Road Tolling Plans

According to Toll Road News, "Virginia DOT was planning to use an existing contract with TransCore to implement about $54 million of toll system upgrades to bring open road tolling (ORT) to the Dulles Toll Road in the Washington DC metro area.

"However a spokesman for the new DTR owners, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) says they have the option to issue an open Request For Proposals to compete the project. They haven't made any decision, he tells us, on whether TransCore is granted the job or whether it gets competed.

"Most spectacular feature of the project will be new gantry pairs carrying equipment for three open road toll lanes in each direction at the mainline toll plaza near Tysons Corner, a mile (1.6km) west of the Capital Beltway. They don't plan to widen the footprint of the toll plaza as a whole so one or two of the existing five cash toll lanes each direction will almost certainly go.

"The exact plan for the redesigned mainline plaza isn't complete. Design is complicated by bypass lanes linked with ramp toll points at a nearby interchange with Spring Hill Rd/International Drive. The existing plaza operations building will continue to be needed."

The complete article can be found on Toll Road News.

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Route 50 Task Force Meeting This Afternoon

According to VDOT, the next Route 50 Task Force meeting will be held today, Tuesday, October 13, at the Middleburg Town Hall starting at 4:30 p.m.

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Today's Motorcade Route for Fallen Soldier

Law enforcement agencies in Loudoun County will be escorting the body of fallen soldier and Purcellville resident Stephan L. Mace today, Sunday, October 11.

The body of Mace, who was 21 at the time of his death, will be flown from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to Leesburg Executive Airport and is due to arrive at 8:28 a.m. Members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Motor Squad, as well as personnel from the Leesburg Police Department, the Purcellville Police Department, the Middleburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police will be assisting with the escort to Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville.

The route will follow Sycolin Road to the Route 15/Route 7 Bypass and continue onto Route 7 westbound. The motorcade will then exit onto Route 9 (Charles Town Pike) and travel west on Colonial Highway through Hamilton and into Purcellville on Main Street ending at Hall Funeral Home on South Nursery Avenue. Delays along this route should be expected.

Those wishing to show their support are asked to line the roadway along the listed secondary roads (Sycolin Road, Colonial Hwy. through Hamilton, and Main St. or South Nursery Ave. in Purcellville). Please do not attempt to drive with the motorcade.

The Army specialist was among eight U.S. soldiers killed on October 3 during a firefight against more than 200 Taliban insurgents in the Nuristan Province of Afghanistan. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 12, at the Purcellville Baptist Church. Mace will be interred at 11 a.m. Monday, October 19, at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Dulles Toll Road Seeks $44 Million in Federal Stimulus Money

Toll Road News reports that the Dulles Toll Road has been "put in for $44.1 million of stimulus (aka ARRA TIGER) grants from the federal government to fund full open road tolling by its new operator Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

"Called an ORT Corridor Mobility Project it will aim to make toll collection "frictionless" according to a fact sheet provided by MWAA to Toll Road News. At the mainline toll plaza there would be toll lane reconstruction and additional lanes.

"For now open road tolling is likely to provide for 3 lanes each direction but eventually the full four lanes will need to be covered each direction, so gantry structures are likely to provide for 4 lanes. New pavement is normally needed to emplace tracking and vehicle classification loops.

"Also mentioned as part of the project:

• improved separation between stopping traffic and the highway speed traffic in the central lanes
• extra approach and departure transitions
• upgrades to striping and signage
• a new toll collection system
• incident warning and dynamic message signs

Toll Road News reports "the Feds have two reasons for rejecting the application. First, improvements to electronic toll collection are clearly labor saving, and stimulus grants are supposed to create jobs. Second the Feds administering the program are prejudiced against Virginia and have been extremely critical of the slow speed with the state has used federal stimulus monies in the past.

"Data the feds provided show as of Sept 1 work had only begun on only 16.5% of the $695m of road and bridge projects for which Virginia received federal stimulus funds, compared to 43% nationally.

"A letter to Virginia governor Kaine said 'your state ranks last among all states (51 out of 51), based on an analysis of the percentage of Recovery Act highway formula funds put out to bid, under contract and under way.'"

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Distracted Driving Now an "Epidemic"

The Loudoun Times reports that distracted driving has reached the epidemic level.

"About 56 percent of drivers use their cell phones while driving, according to a recent survey of drivers who regularly drive through the Virginia section of the Capital Beltway, where the high-occupancy toll lanes are under construction.

"One in four of the 1,000 respondents said they read or write text messages while driving, and 50 percent of those respondents said they had an accident or near miss because of texting while driving.

The Times reports that "AAA Mid-Atlantic and HOT lanes builders Fluor-Transurban conducted the survey as part of a public awareness campaign to get people to put their cell phones down. The campaign -- “Orange cones. No Phones.” -- includes radio and online ads, as well as distributing educational material to schools and employers."

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Joint Sobriety Checkpoint Nets Two Arrests

The Loudoun County Sheriff?s Office, in conjunction with the
Purcellville Police Department, conducted a sobriety checkpoint this
past Friday, October 2, at Main Street and Route 287 in the Town of
Purcellville.

The sobriety checkpoint saw 384 cars pass through with five drivers
further screened. Two drivers were charged; one for Driving Under the
Influence and one for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs. There were
also 19 citations issued for other traffic violations.

The ultimate goal of the sobriety checkpoint is to ensure the roads
are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the
drinking and driving laws.

The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public
awareness and to discourage impaired driving. Members of the Sheriff's
Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD
assisted with the checkpoint.

Route 50 Westbound is Now Open

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office now reports that Route 50
westbound is NOW OPEN after being closed in the area of Gum Spring
Road due to a two-vehicle crash earlier this morning.

Route 50 West Closed

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Route 50 westbound
is closed at this time due to a two vehicle crash in the area of Gum
Spring Road. Motorists traveling in this area should expect delays.

Route 28 Corridor Information Online on County Web Site

Information about Loudoun County's Route 28 corridor-related initiatives and activities, including links to many documents such as the Route 28 Market Study, Business Outreach Report and Existing Conditions Report, is online at: http://www.loudoun.gov/route28.

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Route 7/Loudoun County Parkway Interchange

Here's a quick update to a comment posted on a recent entry about the Route 7/Loudoun County Parkway interchange project.

Someone asked, "I was told that the richfield way entrance off of rt-7 would be closed once the eastern portion of RBP opens is that true?"

Loudoun County Traffic is pleased to report that we were able to confirm today with VDOT, that the completion of the Route 7/Loudoun County Parkway interchange will include the closure of Richfield Way, George Washington Boulevard and the eastern leg of Smith Circle.

Thanks to our readers for the question, and thanks to VDOT for providing information. And thanks to everyone who reads Loudoun County Traffic. Be sure to tell your friends!

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Gilberts Corner Roundabout Opens Today

Last of four roundabouts at Routes 15 and 50 in Loudoun County

gives motorists first look at improved traffic flow

The last and largest of four roundabouts at Gilberts Corner in Loudoun County will open today—six weeks ahead of schedule—to give motorists their first complete look at the project designed to improve traffic flow near the intersection of Routes 15 and 50.

With all four roundabouts open, motorists should begin to see better traffic flow and shorter delays during rush hour. “We realize that there will be a learning curve at first, since this is a new and very different traffic pattern,” said Kenny Robinson, Route 50 corridor program manager. “We just ask that motorists take it slow and remember to yield to traffic in the roundabout.”

After the morning rush hour, crews will remove traffic signals at the intersection, officially opening the new roundabout to motorists. They will also reopen Route 50 between Route 15 and Howsers Branch Drive, which has been closed to traffic with a detour since July.

While motorists use the new roundabout, crews will continue installing curb and gutter, ditches, drainage pipes, pavement, signs and topsoil. Over the next two months, they will finish lighting, landscaping, pavement markings, additional islands and truck aprons (sections of brick along the inside of the roundabout to help large trucks navigate the circle). The entire $15.8 million project will be complete in December 2009.

The Gilberts Corner roundabouts aim to improve safety and traffic flow along Routes 50 and 15. Four roundabouts have been constructed: Gilberts 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 allows northbound Route 15 and westbound Route 50 traffic to bypass Gilberts Corner, reducing vehicles through that intersection by about one-third. Near the intersection, Route 50 carries an estimated 15,000 vehicles daily, while an estimated 11,000 vehicles travel Route 15 daily.

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, brochure and Gilberts Corner project information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/.

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