Bus Preference Survey Available on Loudoun County Web Site for Tysons Commuters

Loudoun County is seeking input from residents who work in Tysons Corner and have an interest in riding the Tysons Express bus service beginning this summer.

Residents who were unable to take part in the Tysons Express public input sessions conducted by the Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services may provide their comments by participating in the Tysons Express Bus Service Preference Survey up until March 10, 2010. The survey is available online at www.loudoun.gov/bus-tysons. Paper copies of the survey may be obtained by calling 703-777-0119. A free, reloadable SmarTrip® card ($5.00 value) will be provided to those who work in Tysons Corner, complete the entire survey and provide their names and mailing addresses.

Tysons Express will begin service this summer between park-and-ride lots in Broadlands South and Leesburg and various employment sites in Tysons Corner. Passenger fares will be $3.00 per ride when paid with a SmarTrip® card or $3.50 cash per ride.

Tysons Express is being funded by the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The project includes a Transportation Management Plan (TMP) designed to offset the traffic congestion that normally results with construction in or adjacent to a roadway system. One of the primary goals of the TMP is to improve transportation for those traveling from Loudoun County to Tysons Corner during the construction of the rail project.

The new express bus service to Tysons Corner will offer Loudoun County residents the opportunity to avoid the congestion experienced by most motorists traveling in the area. The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approved the use of TMP funds for this purpose and the Office of Transportation Services has initiated the purchase of four commuter coaches to begin the service.

More information, including a list of frequently asked questions, is available on the Loudoun County Web site at www.loudoun.gov/bus-tysons. 

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Sheriff's Office Now on Twitter and Facebook

In an effort to further reach out to the community the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office announced the agency is now on Facebook and Twitter.

Members of the Facebook community are encouraged to become a fan of the Sheriff’s Office page on Facebook (search Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office). For those who prefer to receive tweets, you can follow the agency at www.twitter.com/loudounsheriff.

The agency has integrated the Alert Loudoun system with the two social media sites. Alerts issued through the system will appear as status updates on the Facebook fan page and be sent as tweets through Twitter. The Alert Loudoun system currently has over 60-thousand subscribers but the Loudoun Sheriff’s Office is using the social media sites in an attempt to reach out to a wider audience.

Over the past several years the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has been using technology to allow residents to stay informed and to better serve the community. Among those online resources is www.loudoun.gov/traffic (also available via web browsing cell phones at www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic) - which lists traffic incidents worked by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Middleburg Police Department and the Purcellville Police Department. Traffic-related issues worked by the Virginia State Police will be listed if the trooper was dispatched by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Emergency Communications Center. Traffic incidents worked by the Leesburg Police Department are not listed.

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Squabble Between Loudoun and Fairfax About Bridge Over the Dulles Toll Road

The Herndon Connection newspaper reports that "proposals for three developments on the border of Fairfax and Loudoun counties, just north of the planned Route 28 Metro Station, have prompted unprecedented cooperation between the politicians and staffs of two counties, as well as the town of Herndon, which the developments would neighbor. However, a dispute between landowners is now causing friction between Fairfax and Loudoun."

The paper goes on to note that at the second meeting of an interjurisdictional panel with representatives of the three localities on Friday, Feb. 19, "members of the two boards of supervisors sparred over whose property a proposed bridge over the Dulles Toll Road should land on. The bridge was the main topic of the meeting."

The article quoted Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chairman York (I-at large) as saying, "There is no alternative three The CIT (Center for Innovative Technology) has absolutely refused to work with the developer of Dulles World Center to give up the deed to Innovation Drive."



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VDOT Crews Preparing for Snow and Heavy Winds Tonight and Tomorrow

Loudoun County drivers asked to use caution tonight through tomorrow morning's rush hour

Virginia Department of Transportation crews are preparing for one to four inches of snow and wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour in northern Virginia tonight and tomorrow. Overnight tonight, more than 600 trucks will monitor and treat roads throughout Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, ramping up to almost 1,000 trucks by 8 a.m. With the heavy winds forecasted, tree crews will also be on hand to clear broken and fallen limbs blocking roads.

Since yesterday, crews have pre-treated trouble spots on interstates 66, 95, 395, and 495—including bridges and ramps prone to freezing such as the Springfield interchange, I-66 at Route 29 in Gainesville and the Capital Beltway interchange at Route 1—with liquid magnesium chloride. Other major roads, such as the Fairfax County Parkway and routes 1, 7, 28, 29, 50 and 123, have been pre-treated with salt brine.

Drivers are asked to use caution while driving overnight tonight and tomorrow morning, as heavy winds may limit visibility.

Motorists can check current weather, road conditions and traffic cameras before leaving tomorrow by visiting http://www.511virginia.org/ or by calling 511. For more information on how VDOT prepares for snow, visit www.virginiadot.org/snow.

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Snow Pics from VDOT... Can You Imagine Having to Shovel That!

Just in case you forgot what the snow storms this month were like...

VDOT was kind enough to provide Loudoun County Traffic a couple of pictures from the Route 15 area so that Loudoun County residents who don't frequent that part of the county could see some of the tremendous amounts of snow that commuters in the area had to deal with earlier this month.

Thanks VDOT for sharing these photos! And here's hoping we don't have to go through anything like that again!!

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Virginia Receives $30.4 Million Federal Grant for Rapid Transit

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) today announced that Virginia was awarded $30.4 million in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds for regional rapid transit improvements in Northern Virginia.

Among the most local projects being funded is the VA 7 (Leesburg Pike) Bus Priority Improvements Project -- $1.34 million -- to fund NextBus displays at several express bus stops and transit signal priority at several intersections along the corridor between Alexandria, Falls Church and Tysons Corner. The project supports future streetcar corridors by creating links to other transit lines, such as the I-66 and I-395 express bus corridors.




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Public Meeting Tonight on Express Bus Service

Public input session to be held tonight about express bus service to Tysons Corner from Loudoun County

The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services is hosting a meeting tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 23, to offer residents the opportunity to participate in planning the Tysons Express bus service, which will begin this summer and operate weekdays through the end of 2013.

Tonight's meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg.

Tysons Express will provide morning departures and afternoon and evening returns between park-and-ride lots in Leesburg and Brambleton and various employment sites in Tysons Corner. Passenger fares will be $3.00 per ride. Residents unable to attend the public meeting may submit comments and suggestions regarding the Tysons Express bus service to rideshare@loudoun.gov or 703-771-5665.

More information about Tysons Express will be posted as it becomes available on the Loudoun County website at www.loudoun.gov/bus.

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Your Thoughts on the Job VDOT Has Done With Snow Removal

Loudoun County Traffic received this comment from an angry Loudoun County resident on a previous post, which talks about the job the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has done clearing snow the past couple of weeks with the massive snow fall Loudoun County and the region has experienced. The author says, "VDOT are doing a terrible job!"

Our anonymous poster also noted that he called VDOT to complain about the snow plow job and received rurther insult.

"I called the VDOT supervisor ... a gentleman who was extremely rude."

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Comment below about how you think VDOT has done -- good or bad -- or if you prefer, e-mail us comments at LoudounCountyTraffic@hotmail.com, and we'll post them for you. We also plan to let VDOT know about any comments/posts we receive so they'll get your message.

And as a side note, as the editor of this blog, I too was frustrated this week after finally being able to get out and clear my sidewalk, not only about the snow, but more upset that I was having to clear the mound of snow off the sidewalk that was put there by the VDOT snow plow!

Meanwhile... Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has high praise for the job state government employees have done during the recent storm, citing the hard work by numerous departments, including the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management operations center.

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Snow Rage -- Loudoun County Man Charged

Don't know if you heard, but a Loudoun County man has been charged in a "snow rage" incident. According to Fox 5, a Loudoun man  faces criminal charges for what he did to a Good Samaritan trying to help a driver who got stuck in the snow. Check out the video below.




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Route 287 Closed at Piggott Bottom Road

This traffic information just in from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office...

Route 287 (Berling Turnpike) is closed at Piggott Bottom Road due to a
property damage crash. There are also additional reports of blowing
snow on the roadway in this area. Motorists who travel this area are
advised to use caution and expect delays.

Metro Increases Fares Effective February 28

For Loudoun County commuters that use Metro, listen up.... fares on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess will increase 10 cents, effective Sunday, February 28, through June 26. In addition, fares for senior citizens and people with disabilities will go up five cents and the cost of passes also will increase to help close a shortfall in Metro’s current operating budget.

A Metro press release says additional fare changes and other actions related to Metro’s fiscal year 2011 budget are likely later this spring as Metro grapples with a projected $189 million budget deficit.
 
Metro fare hikes (PDF)

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Public Meeting Tonight on Express Bus Service

Public input session to be held tonight about express bus service to Tysons Corner from Loudoun County

The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services is hosting a meeting tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 16, to offer residents the opportunity to participate in planning the Tysons Express bus service which will begin this summer and operate weekdays through the end of 2013.

Tonight's meeting will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn. A second meeting will also be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg.

Tysons Express will provide morning departures and afternoon and evening returns between park-and-ride lots in Leesburg and Brambleton and various employment sites in Tysons Corner. Passenger fares will be $3.00 per ride. Residents unable to attend either public meeting may submit comments and suggestions regarding the Tysons Express bus service to rideshare@loudoun.gov or 703-771-5665.

More information about Tysons Express will be posted as it becomes available on the Loudoun County website at www.loudoun.gov/bus.

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Crews from Across Virginia Assist with Snow Removal

The Virginia Department of Transportation has brought in crews and more than 200 pieces of heavy equipment from Hampton Roads, Richmond, Salem and Lynchburg to assist with removing snow that continues to fall across northern Virginia. More than 2,000 trucks remain on the roads today, plowing and treating interstates, primary roads, and subdivision and side streets.

Because the 4x4 pickup trucks VDOT uses for a typical four- to six-inch storm cannot handle the deep snow blanketing some northern Virginia neighborhoods, additional larger trucks and front loaders are working to clear remaining subdivision and side streets buried in the last storm. The additional crews will continue to clear neighborhoods as long as possible, until the trucks are needed again to address emergency routes, interstates and other high-volume roads.

Motorists are urged to stay off the road, as white-out and blizzard conditions are expected to last into the evening. Minimal visibility and high-drifting snow have made driving extremely dangerous. Crews out in full force also need the full width of many roads to navigate snowplow trains and put down chemicals.

Commuters are advised that the I-95/395 high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes closed at 11 a.m. today and will re-open either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning depending on road conditions.

For the latest road conditions, weather, incident information and traffic camera video, drivers can visit http://www.511virginia.org/. Residents who need to report dangerous conditions on neighborhood streets should send the address, subdivision and county to novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov. They can also call 703-383-VDOT (8368), or 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

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Weather Affects Loudoun County Roads -- Several Routes Closed

Due to the severe weather conditions several roadways in Loudoun County are closed and travel continues to remain extremely difficult, if not impossible. The roadways affected are Route 287 north of Route 7 bypass (closed), Route 15 at Oak Hill (restricted), Route 690 at the Town of Purcellville line, Route 601 at Route 7 (closed), Short Hill Road at Allder School Road (closed).

Loudoun County public officials continue to strongly advise residents to stay home and not attempt to drive. This will help road crews keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

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Life-Threatening Blizzard Hits Loudoun County

Stay Home; Do NOT Attempt to Drive

Loudoun County public safety officials strongly advise residents to stay home and not to attempt to drive. Life-threatening blizzard conditions have developed rapidly across the Baltimore-Washington region this morning.

The combination of snow, strong gusty winds and blowing snow will make travel extremely difficult, if not impossible, during the morning and into the afternoon. People are urged to remain at home, and not to drive. This will help road crews keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

If you get stranded in your vehicle:

• Do not leave your car to try to walk for assistance. You can quickly become disoriented in wind-driven snow and cold. This storm is expected to subside early this evening, so wait in your car for emergency help to arrive.
• Periodically run your engine for about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
• Ensure that your exhaust pipe is cleared of snow and ice.
• Crack your windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Tie a colored cloth to your car’s antenna to be visible to rescuers.
• From time to time, move your arms, legs, fingers and toes to keep blood circulating.

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Blizzard Warning In Effect -- Please Stay Off the Roads!

The National Weather Service reports that a blizzard warning is in effect until 7 pm this evening. Within the hour, we can expect low visibility with winds of 30-35 mph and gusts of 35 mph over the Washington region. Snow is expected to continue through this evening, with the heaviest snow expected this morning. Accumulations of 6-12 inches are possible.

A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel...have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded...stay with your vehicle.

For complete weather information visit Loudoun County Weather. And don't forget, e-mail your favorite snow pictures to Loudoun County Traffic.

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VDOT Reports Slick Spots Are Causing Accidents; Drivers Asked to Use Caution

The Virginia Department of Transportation reports icy conditions emerging on roads throughout northern Virginia. Motorists are asked to stay home if possible or use extreme caution as snow is beginning to stick on roads with lower traffic volumes, and interstates and primary roads are becoming deceptively slick.

More than 2,000 trucks will continue to plow and treat interstates and other major routes throughout the night, as well as snow-buried subdivision and side streets that remain impassable from the last storm. VDOT crews and trucks from Hampton Roads, Richmond, Salem, Lynchburg and Culpeper have arrived in northern Virginia to assist in snow removal for this storm.

As crews work throughout the night, drivers are reminded to give plows plenty of room to navigate roads, plow snow and put down chemicals. Drivers should also be aware of narrowed lanes where plows are pushing snow tonight.

VDOT offers the following tips for driving in winter weather:

• Allow extra time to travel to your destination.
• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as bridges, overpasses and shady spots.
• Reduce speed and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles.
• Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Practice common sense. Remember that your car cannot start, stop, or turn as quickly and surely on snow or ice as it does on dry pavement.

For the latest road conditions, weather, incident information and traffic camera video, drivers can visit http://www.511virginia.org/. Residents who need to report dangerous conditions on neighborhood streets should send the address, subdivision and county to novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov. They can also call 703-383-VDOT (8368), or 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

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VDOT Crews Bracing for Next Storm

Loudoun County residents encouraged to e-mail VDOT as call volumes are high
Virginia Department of Transportation crews are working tirelessly to clear snow-buried side streets in northern Virginia, as a new storm threatens to dump up to 20 additional inches tomorrow. Drivers are asked to avoid travel if possible, but if they must go out, they are urged to leave early as snow is expected to begin by early afternoon. Extreme caution will be crucial as melted snow will refreeze to black ice by morning.

More than 1,900 trucks have been making inroads on neighborhood and side streets in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, and will work through the night in an attempt to make a pass through all roads by the start of tomorrow’s storm.

The northern Virginia customer service line, 703-383-VDOT (8368), is experiencing extremely high call volumes. Residents are asked to e-mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov with their street address, subdivision and county if they are having trouble getting through, and to include photos if possible. Residents are reminded that crews are still working through neighborhoods and have not yet completed all plow routes.

If driving tomorrow, motorists should call 511 or visit http://www.511virginia.org/ before leaving for real-time weather, road conditions and traffic incidents. Traffic camera video is also available on this site.

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Snow Plow Spotted in Hamilton Monday Evening

Thanks to Richard who took a couple of shots of a plow on Deavers Court in Hamilton about 5 p.m. yesterday, Monday, Feb. 7.

If you spot a snow plow in your area, send your pictures to LoudounCountyTraffic@hotmai.com. ‏

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Snow Plow Pictures -- Well Just a Neighborhood Picture Really

Al writes to Loudoun County Traffic...

Haven't seen a snow plow in Hamilton Knolls (Orchard Circle, Peach Tree Ct) since the storm started on Friday night. This is how it looks now and after I shoveled 6-8 inches off the road in front of my driveway at the beginning of the storm. The main roads may be bare, but who can get to them?

Thanks for the update and picture Al. If you have pictures of snow plows working in your area, e-mail them to LoudounCountyTraffice@hotmail.com.

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VDOT Crews Continue Work to Remove Snow From Roadways

The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates it will remove about 500,000* tons of snow from northern Virginia roads over the next several days. VDOT urges motorists to continue to stay off the roads as crews work today to clear snow-packed interstates and other emergency routes. Residents should see at least one pass from a snowplow before Tuesday evening when another storm is expected.

Tomorrow, crews and equipment finishing up snow removal in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas will head to northern Virginia to assist 1,900 trucks already plowing this hard-hit region. Many of these trucks will head to snow-buried neighborhoods to help clear the 9,000 lane miles of subdivisions and side streets in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

The hundreds of 4x4 pickup trucks VDOT uses in northern Virginia subdivisions for a typical four- to six-inch storm are inadequate to handle the frozen and compacted, deep snow covering most neighborhoods. Snow drifts in some areas are even higher than the subdivision plows. Interstate trucks are too large to fit through neighborhoods, so crews are using special equipment such as graders, bucket loaders, tandems and backhoes. This is a very slow and cumbersome process.

Unlike smaller snowfalls, crews are also hauling snow from areas where there is simply nowhere for plows to push. Along roads such as the Beltway and the I-95/395 high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, concrete barriers prevent traditional plowing and large trailers are hauling snow offsite.

Drivers are asked to use extreme caution as thawing today followed by a big re-freeze tonight means that all roads—including those that have been treated and plowed—will remain treacherous.

VDOT reminds residents of the following:

• The main, more heavily traveled roads in a subdivision will be plowed first, to be followed by low-volume roads and cul-de-sacs.
• Plows will make one or two trips to provide a path through neighborhood streets, but they will not clear to bare pavement or from curb to curb.
• Because chemicals are not used in subdivisions, roads will remain snow-packed and rutted after the plow has passed. Crews will sand hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction.
• If planning to shovel their driveways, residents should try to refrain from clearing the last few feet at the curb until your street is plowed, as plows may push snow back into driveways. It also helps to shovel to the right as you face the road.
• VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails.
• VDOT plow drivers have assigned routes that include each and every state-maintained road in northern Virginia.
• Call 9-1-1 if you have a medical emergency and need to leave your home.

If by Wednesday, residents have not seen a plow in their subdivision, they can call 703-383-VDOT or e-mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov with the location. Photos are also welcomed. Crews will be dispatched to treat missed spots and problem areas.

*Formula:
(17,000 lane miles in northern Virginia x 5,260 feet/mile) x (10 feet avg. lane width x 2 feet snow depth) ÷ 27 (to get cubic feet) = 66,237,037 cubic feet
66,237,037 cubic feet x 15 lbs. per cubic foot ÷ by 2,000 (to get tons) = 496,778 tons of snow removed from roads

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Comment About Our Request for Snow Plow Pictures

"You send the plow and I'll take the pictures. We are still waiting -- Rosedale Ct, Ashburn Village, VA 20147. Everything around us is plowed and Louisa is 1/2 block away and traffic is flowing freely."
Regards,
Anita

Thanks Anita... hopefully VDOT will get to you soon.

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