Make Sure Your Car is Ready for Holiday Travel Before You Hit the Road

According to a survey conducted by the Car Care Council, car care tops the list of pre-holiday preparations.

Both men and women said they were more likely to make sure the car that took them to Thanksgiving dinner was prepared for the trip (66 percent) than they were to iron tablecloths (18 percent) or polish silver (12 percent) in advance of the holiday meal.

"Our survey found that 86 percent of drivers believe regular car maintenance is extremely important for their own and their passengers’ safety and 85 percent of drivers cite dependability as a highly important characteristic for the vehicles they drive," said Rich White, spokesman for the Car Care Council.

As part of the "Be Car Care Aware" campaign, the Council recommends the following pre-holiday tasks for your vehicle:

• Check the coolant (antifreeze); coolant should be flushed and refilled every two years in most vehicles.
• Check the owner’s manual to see if your driving habits are considered “severe,” and if so, have the oil changed accordingly, usually every 3,000 miles; consider changing to a “winter weight: oil if you live in a cold climate.
• Check the battery and exhaust system.
• Be certain the heater and defroster are working properly.
• Keep the gas tank at least half full, decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
• Check tire tread depth and tread pressure; consider special tires if snow and ice are a problem in your area.
• Check to see that lights work and headlights are properly aimed.
• Replace wiper blades every six months; consider special now blades if the weather dictates.
• Be prepared for an emergency with the following items in your trunk: ice scraper, windshield de-icer, flashlight, whisk broom, blanket, extra clothes, candle/matches, bottled water, snacks, necessary medications and a first-aid fit.

For more information, visit the Car Care Council website at: www.carcare.org.

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Faces of Distracted Driving

In 2009, distracted driving killed nearly 5,500 people and injured a half million more. But, statistics never tell the whole story. Behind these numbers are children, parents, neighbors, and friends. They're families torn apart by senseless, preventable crashes.

On September 23, 2008, 13-year-old Margay Schee was riding home from school when a semi-truck slammed into the back of her school bus. She was killed when rescuers were unable to get her out of the burning wreckage. The truck driver was talking on his cell phone at the time of crash and said he never saw the bus.

Margay's mother, Elissa Schee, is a founding board member of FocusDriven, the first national nonprofit organization devoted specifically to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.



For more information, visit www.distraction.gov. To share your story, upload a video to YouTube and e-mail the link to faces@distraction.gov.

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SmartBenefits® Commuters Could Lose More Than $1,300 in Transit Benefits

According to METRO, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, SmartBenefits® commuters could lose more than $1,300 a year in transit benefits, beginning Jan. 1, 2011, when two federally required changes become effective:

• The maximum transit benefit allowed by federal law will drop from $230 to $120.
• Customers will no longer be able to use their transit and parking benefits interchangeably as Metro begins to phase in an IRS mandate that requires a separation of the two accounts for individuals.

In the National Capital Region, 285,000 employees currently receive transit benefits. At least 90,000 of these Metro commuters receive more than $120 per month. The increase in the benefit was originally provided through a provision of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will expire on Dec. 31.

When the law expires, commuters who drive will continue to take advantage of a maximum allowable parking benefit of $230 per month, while transit riders will be limited to $120 per month.

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VDOT Sets Signal Timing to Improve Holiday Shopping Traffic

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is timing signals to help move motorists through major shopping centers around northern Virginia.

Using traffic data gathered during last year’s holiday season, VDOT developed time- and location-specific signal-timing plans at 207 intersections.

"The plans are designed to accommodate changing traffic patterns from the influx in shoppers," said Ling Li, Operations Engineering Manager at VDOT’s Transportation Operations Center. "The goal is to minimize backups into shopping centers and maximize traffic flow around them."

VDOT has been timing signals for holiday shoppers for more than 10 years. Engineers will also use traffic cameras to monitor conditions around especially congested areas such as Tysons Corner and make adjustments to help keep traffic moving.

Holiday signal timing will be in effect through Jan. 1, 2011, at the following shopping centers:

• Tysons and Galleria Shopping Centers
• Reston Town Center
• Fair Lakes Shopping Center
• Fair Oaks Mall
• Potomac Mills Mall
•  Manassas Mall
• Route 234 shopping centers
• Springfield Mall
• Cascades Town Center
• Potomac Run Center
• Dulles Town Center
• Leesburg Outlets
• Dulles 28 Centre
• Central Park Shopping Center
• Spotsylvania Town Centre/Mall

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AAA Expects 11 Percent Increase in Thanksgiving Travel

AAA projects the number of Americans traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday will increase 11.4 percent from 2009, with approximately 42.2 million travelers taking a trip at least 50 miles away from home. Last year, 37.9 million Americans traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The 2010 Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as today, Wednesday, November 24, to Sunday, November 28.

Trips by automobile remain the dominant mode of transportation for holiday travel with 94 percent of travelers, or 39.7 million people, reaching their destination by driving. This is an increase of 12 percent from last Thanksgiving when 35.5 million Americans reached their destination by motor vehicle. According to AAA, the current national average price of self-serve regular gasoline is $2.89 per gallon.

With nearly 40 million travelers expected on the roads this Thanksgiving, history tells us many will experience roadside breakdowns or other automotive problems during their journey.

To help avoid car trouble and unnecessary delays during holiday travel, AAA recommends that travelers perform several key car care tasks at least one week prior to hitting the road to allow time to address any issues they may uncover. Some basic items most travelers can check themselves include tire tread, tire pressure, wiper blades and battery connections.

AAA also advises travelers whose vehicles are due or past due for regularly scheduled maintenance to have a qualified technician inspect their vehicle prior to a road trip.

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Travel Safely This Thanksgiving

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is working to make our Thanksgiving travel easier by removing all temporary lane closures and providing round-the-clock traffic information to help plan holiday travels. VDOT has also launched an interactive Web map that uses historical traffic data for the Thanksgiving holiday to give motorists tools to plan travels around holiday congestion.

Beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24, until noon Monday, Nov. 29, VDOT will remove all temporary lane closures in place for construction or maintenance activities. Any permanent construction barriers will remain in place.

If you are traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, you’ll want to hit the road before noon on Wednesday, Nov. 24, to beat most of the traffic. Data gathered from the last few years shows the heaviest traffic volume on the interstate system will likely occur from noon and 8 p.m. on the day before Thanksgiving. Congestion on the return trip is harder to predict as motorists tend to head home from Friday through Sunday. However, the heaviest traffic volumes are anticipated for Sunday afternoon.



Motorists can expect heavy congestion in the following locations:

• Interstate 95 between Richmond and Interstates 495/395 Springfield Interchange
• Interstate 66 eastbound and westbound in Northern Virginia
• Interstates 81/77 interchange near Wytheville
• I-81 near Lexington to south of Roanoke
• Interstates 64/95 in the Richmond area

To report a road hazard or to get answers to your transportation question, you may also now call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) around the clock.

Finally, VDOT and Loudoun County Traffic wants everyone to enjoy the holiday season. Motorists can reduce the risk of a crash or serious injury by taking the five-step Highway Safety Challenge and arrive alive:

• Buckle up
• Obey speed limits
• Avoid distractions
• Share the road
• Drive drug- and alcohol-free

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Reducing Highway Deaths: Major Factors that Continue to Drive Vehicle Fatalities

Vehicle fatalities declined to their lowest levels in 2009. While that is good news, there is still more work to be done to reduce avoidable deaths. Out of the 33,808 people who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2009, alcohol, speeding, and lack of safety belt use were key contributing factors. Plus, crashes are disproportionately high that impact children and teens. In order to reduce the deaths on the roads even further, it important to see where the problems exist and what else can be done.

Earlier this fall, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) released final fatality data from 2009, which has since been summarized in various categories by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Consumer Reports reviewed their findings and their own past reports to offer a look back at roadway risks last year, while highlighting areas where lives can be saved in the future.

Among the factors: alcohol, speeding and children and teens. According to Consumer Reports:

"Teens drive less than almost all age groups (besides older people), but crash deaths are disproportionately high due to the combination of immaturity and lack of experience. Graduated licensing laws have been instrumental in helping reduce deaths of teens. Last year, Congress introduced a bill called the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act (STAND UP), which would establish minimum requirements for GDL programs in all 50 states. Studies have shown that in states that have adopted GDL laws, crash rates have declined between 10 and 30 percent."

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Someone in America Dies in a Traffic Accident Every 13 Minutes

Here's a reprint of a post on "Gov Gab" the U.S. Government blog by Deborah Hersman, Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. We found it interesting and relevant, and hope you will enjoy.

Did you know that every single day, more than 90 lives are lost on our highways? That means that someone in America dies in a traffic accident every 13 minutes.

I want to share with you solutions that can prevent some of these tragedies. You’ve probably heard of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” which lets everyone know the criminals they most want to catch. Well, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a Most Wanted List, too. Our list lets everyone know which safety solutions we most want to see implemented. These are the measures that will save lives and prevent injuries.

Eliminating distractions for young drivers is a good example. Did you know that car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds? A driver who is 16 years old is more than twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash than an older driver. And, because teens like to travel together, when a teen driver is in an accident, the passengers that are killed are usually other teens.

Why is driving such a hazard for teen drivers? Because teens often engage in risky behaviors, like speeding, drinking and driving, talking or texting on cell phones, or being distracted by interactions with other teens in the car. Add to this, that teens are engaging in these behaviors while they’re still learning to drive. Teens may have passed their driving test but that doesn’t mean they are ready for every scenario they’ll encounter on the road. They’ll face new traffic situations as they gain experience controlling a several thousand pound machine.

So what can you do? Buckle your seat belt, turn off your cell phone, keep your eyes focused on the road, and, if you’ve been drinking, give your keys to a friend who hasn’t.. You need to be alert and ready for whatever you might face – your life and other lives depend on it.

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Gum Springs Road

From the November Dulles District newsletter of Loudoun County Supervisor Stevens Miller comes news about Gum Springs Road. According to Miller:

Gum Spring Road north of Braddock Road is almost completed. The developer doing the improvements on Gum Spring Road is waiting for VDOT final approval. VDOT has committed to have their inspection complete by November 19th and barrels should be removed from north bound Gum Spring Road in early December. Construction of two additional lanes of Gum Spring Road from Braddock Road extending south for approximately 1,500 linear feet should start in December 2010.

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Virginia State Police Says "Buckle Up" to Save Your Life

Through this Sunday, Nov. 21, the Virginia State Police will join local law enforcement in a statewide, high-visibility Click-It-or-Ticket enforcement effort.

The traffic safety project is an educational and enforcement program aimed at increasing seatbelt use in Virginia with the goal of saving lives. In 2009, Virginia experienced the highest recorded seatbelt use rate at 82 percent. Regrettably, that left another 18 percent of Virginians making the conscious decision to risk their lives by not wearing a seatbelt.

Last year, 333 unbuckled individuals lost their lives in a traffic crash on Virginia’s roads.

Virginia State Police will utilize troopers to participate in the week-long, strict enforcement Click-It-or-Ticket mobilization. As troopers enforce traffic laws, Virginians can expect to see particular attention paid to whether or not a seatbelt is being worn.

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Dozing Off While Driving

Did you see the recent Washington Post article about distracted driving?

According to a Washington Post article, 41 percent of drivers say they've dozed off while driving. A new study examines the toll of drowsy driving.

Let's remember Loudoun County... let's stay alert on our roadways!

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Survey Says Majority Consider Public Transit a Better Option than Driving

HNTB Corporation’s recently released America THINKS survey indicates that 87 percent of Americans with access to public transit make use of the service, and 69 percent think that using public transit can be a better choice than driving.

Survey respondents identified the three greatest benefits of transit service as reduced traffic congestion, money savings and environmental benefits.

Do you agree with the survey? How about transit options here in Loudoun County? Do you use them? Let us know your thoughts.

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Drive Safe and Watch Out for Deer on Loudoun's Roadways

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office cautions motorists to stay alert for deer in the roadways.

Virginia was ranked among the top 10 states in the nation for deer/vehicle collisions in 2009. The vast majority of these collisions occur during the deer breeding season between now and early January.

Motorists should pay close attention and remain alert at all times, especially at dawn and dusk when deer are active and are likely to be seen quickly entering roadways in herds. Other safety tips for motorists include:

• Deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m.
• Use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways.
• Deer generally travel in herds – if you see one, there is a strong possibility others are nearby.
• Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles; they may not work.
• If a deer collision seems inevitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle. Do not swerve to miss a deer. This may cause you to lose control of your vehicle, strike a tree or another vehicle or to overturn. 

If you cannot avoid hitting a deer, take the following precautions.

• Slow down and grasp the steering wheel firmly with both hands.
• Take your foot off the brake at the time of impact so the front end of your vehicle will lift up and enable the deer to go under the car, rather than over it – reducing the danger of it crashing through the windshield or windows.

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Did You See What Happened?

A Loudoun County Traffic reader writes...

"Last night (Saturday, November 13) at about 10 p.m. there were a considerable number of emergency vehicles and police cars set up on route 15 near Woodlea Drive and the Leesburg Animal park. We did not venture over to the scene as it sounded horrific, but did not read or see anything in the news this morning. Can you tell me what might have happened?"

Any Loudoun County commuters out there have any idea? Did anyone see what happened or know what was going on? If so, post your comments here. Thanks!

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Washington Examiner Editorial: MWAA Quietly Jacks Up Cost of Dulles Rail

Did you read the recent Washington Examiner editorial about the Dulles Rail project? According to the paper:

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed former Congressman Tom Davis to the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority just as newly revised estimates raise the total cost of the 23-mile Dulles Rail project to $6.85 billion -- up from $4 billion just four years ago.

A newly leaked 1998 memo that surfaced during the recent Massachusetts gubernatorial race indicated that state's former chief fiscal officer knew that the costs of Boston's infamous Big Dig project would skyrocket and crowd out other needed transportation projects. MWAA's 2010 financing plan for Dulles Rail contains a similar smoking gun.

Read the complete opinion piece online.

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Governor Approves VDOT Plan to Fix Problems Audit Found

Governor Bob McDonnell earlier this week approved the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) action plan to rectify problems identified by an independent audit of the agency's maintenance, project development and fiscal management practices.

The action plan responds to more than 50 audit findings and proposes cost-saving strategies, organizational efficiencies, and performance and operational metrics that will make VDOT more effective, efficient and accountable.

VDOT's action plan designates a responsible entity for each category of funding and establishes a process to select projects that will utilize the unused funds identified in the audit.  This includes:

• $200 million in excess construction cash will be administered by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB)
• $524 million in the "federal reserve" will be allocated to specific projects by the CTB during the spring 2011 update to the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (SYIP)
• $200 million in unspent maintenance allocations will be provided to VDOT's nine districts to meet critical maintenance needs
• $130 million in inactive federal project balances already allocated to projects will be re-obligated to other active projects in coordination with localities
• $400 million in toll credits will be allocated to specific projects by the CTB as a state match to federal projects.  

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AAA Offers Driving Safety Tips for Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time marks the beginning of reduced visibility on the roads and increased exposure to traffic safety risks for area motorists, school children, pedestrians and bicyclists, warns AAA Mid-Atlantic. The time change is the time of year when the number of crashes involving pedestrians increases, the auto club cautions.

A 2009 report by the National Safety Council showed that traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day. And, nearly 4 in 10 drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at some point in their driving career. Night time driving is more challenging and risky than people think because motorists deal with known and unknown hazards such as darkness, fatigue, and limited vision.

As night time arrives a little sooner, pedestrians should wear light colored clothing, including reflectors, to increase visibility. Meanwhile, motorists should avoid driving when they are tired since drowsiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness and impairs judgment. Driving while sleepy is just like driving while drunk or drugged and increases the chances of being in a fatal accident.

Fortunately, there are several effective measures drivers can take to minimize these after dark dangers. The auto club joins the National Safety Council in offering the following tips for staying safe while driving at night:

• Prepare your car for night driving. Clean headlights, tail lights and windows inside and out.
• Have your headlights properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
• Don’t drink and drive. Not only does alcohol severely impair your driving ability, it also acts as a depressant.
• Avoid smoking when driving at night. Smoke’s nicotine hampers your night vision.
• If there’s any doubt, turn your headlights on. Lights will help other drivers see you better in the early twilight hours. Being seen is just as important as seeing.
• Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. It’s more difficult to judge other vehicle’s speeds and distances at night.
• If an oncoming vehicle doesn’t lower beams from high to low, avoid glare by watching the right edge of the road, and using it as a steering guide.
• If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest. Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise.
• If you’re having car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Warn approaching traffic by turning on your flashers, and setting up reflective triangles near the vehicle.

More information is available from AAA Mid-Atlantic.

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Audio: Car Batteries -- from Consumer Reports

Inexpensive car batteries often perform as well as, or better than, those costing twice as much.

From Consumer Reports, November issue; listen to the audio report.

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The Silver Line -- D.C. to Ashburn Redux

From the Ashburn Patch, by Mike Conway:

The Silver Line extension of Metrorail is a $5.25 billion project scheduled for completion in 2017.

Anybody who has tried to commute to Tysons Corner from Ashburn knows what a big, costly headache the construction has created. So while on the one hand it's exciting to imagine an alternative to sitting in endless traffic on the way to Tysons, Arlington or downtown, I personally have to stop and think, "Is there possibly a better way?"

During my morning jog along the WandOD trail I began to ponder this question. Why, I thought to myself, are we spending billions of dollars constructing a new rail bed when, at this very moment, people in tight pants are bicycling up and down this one?

Read the complete article.

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Boost Them in the Back Seat

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 2 to 14, due in large part to the non-use or improper use of child seats and seat belts.

After a child has outgrown the height and weight recommendations for a forward-facing toddler seat with harnesses (which often occurs around 40 pounds and 4 years of age—check labels/instructions), booster seats are recommended prior to transitioning to a safety belt.



For more information visit www.boosterseats4safety.org.

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Transportation Updates from the Potomac District

In her November newsletter, Potomac District Supervisor Andrea McGimsey writes that "We have seen some great progress on transportation projects recently, from the opening of the Route 28 / Nokes Boulevard and the Route 7 / Loudoun County Parkway interchanges to the completed pedestrian path along Palisades Parkway from Potomac View Road to Cascades Marketplace. We also finally broke ground on the completion of Atlantic Boulevard, a crucial road link in our local road network."

Below are traffic/transit related items she covered in her newsletter. Thanks to the Supervisor for letting us post them online.

Update on the Proposed Route 28 Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Following a number of stakeholder interest sessions held over the summer, the Planning Commission and County staff members have been working to synthesize the community’s input into a draft of the Route 28 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM).  The Amendment has been under review by a Planning Commission subcommittee since early September and will be forwarded for final review at the November 10^th Planning Commission work session. Work sessions are open to the public to watch for more information. Or contact Miguel Salinas in the Planning Department.

Citizens Discuss Bike and Pedestrian Improvements to Claude Moore Park

Two community input meetings took place to discuss improved access for bicycles and pedestrians to Claude Moore Park on October 12^th and 13^th.  The decision to investigate possible improvements to the park’s access came about as a result of the Potomac/Sterling Outreach Process, intended for citizens to discuss their concerns and recommend strategies to improve the quality of their daily life. During the meeting, County staff presented different options designed to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to the east and west of the park, including paving and improving existing gravel trails into the park, creating new multi use trails, bike lanes and a new crosswalk.  Citizens discussed and prioritized which options were most important to them.  Staff is currently in the process of reviewing the input given by community members and developing recommendations to present to the Board in the near future.  For more information on the meetings contact Steve Torpy of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. 

Groundbreaking at Atlantic Boulevard

Board members, Senator Herring, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the construction team, and a number of interested citizens celebrated the groundbreaking of the Atlantic Boulevard Extension project on October 27th. The project will extend the boulevard a half-mile, providing the missing link along Atlantic Boulevard between Church Road and Magnolia Road, creating a continuous road parallel to Route 28 from Sterling Road (Route 846) north to Route 7 and Algonkian Parkway. The project features four lanes, a raised median, an asphalt multi-purpose trail on the east and a concrete sidewalk on the west. It will also feature a single-span bridge over Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail with connections to the trail.  Its completion will help alleviate cut-through traffic in Dominion Station.  This new section of road is scheduled to be open to traffic in late 2011, with final completion in the spring of 2012. See Atlantic Boulevard Extension for more information as well as a list of contacts.

Sidewalk Section on Palisades Parkway Complete

Construction is complete on a 5-foot concrete sidewalk along Palisades Parkway between Potomac View Road and River Meadows Terrace.  Pedestrians and bicyclists have been able to use the sidewalk for safe access since late September.  We expect final inspection and acceptance by the Virginia of Department of Transportation in November. The plan for sidewalk construction is part of a county-wide effort for bicycle and pedestrian safety.  Palisades Parkway connects residential communities in Potomac Falls to Cascades Marketplace, the Cascades Library, the Cascades Senior Center, and is near to NOVA Community College’s Loudoun Campus.  Many residents consider this area to be the heart of their community due to its opportunities for shopping, recreation, exercise, and education.

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Leesburg Traffic Committee Endorses Tavistock Crosswalk

Following months of discussion on how to address speeding and pedestrian safety concerns in the Tavistock Farms neighborhood, Leesburg's Standing Residential Traffic Committee has endorsed a potential remedy, that according to the Leesburg Today.

Committee members unanimously voted Monday night to support the installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Tavistock Drive and Burnside Terrace. It was but one of several requests by representatives of the Tavistock Farms HOA, who have spent months pondering what the best solution was to cut down on speeding in the neighborhood.

Town staff members recommended the installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Tavistock Drive and Burnside Terrace, and the relocation of the speed limit sign at the intersection of Tavistock Drive and Battlefield Parkway. A stop sign study conducted by town staff showed that federal warrants were met based on the existing traffic volumes.

Read the complete Leesburg Today article online.

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VDOT Announces 24/7 Call Center

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has established a Customer Service Center to take citizen calls and answer transportation questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Loudoun County residents can dial 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, report potholes, ask questions about road work, request maintenance services or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

Motorists should continue to dial 511 to get information about traffic and road conditions, and this up to the minute traffic information is also available online at www.511virginia.org.

The VDOT Customer Service Center is located in Salem with a satellite office in Northern Virginia. The center is staffed to handle up to 1,000 calls a day, and on average, each call is answered in approximately 28 seconds.

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Public Hearing on Route 28 Comprehensive Plan Amendment

The Planning Commission public hearing on the Route 28 Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) is tomorrow evening, Wednesday, November 3, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the Loudoun County Government Center.

"We encourage you to attend and give the Planning Commission your feedback on this proposal, as our community will be directly impacted by these changes." writes Andrea McGimsey, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Potomac District in an e-mail notice to constituents.

If you cannot attend the hearing, you can e-mail your comments to Route28@loudoun.gov. The webcast of the hearing also is available on the county's web site.

The proposed amendments and related documents are available at www.loudoun.gov/route28.

Read a related Leesburg Today article.

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Portion of Hay Road to be Closed This Weekend

From Loudoun County Supervisor Lori Waters came news yesterday that VDOT will close Hay Road between Churchill Downs Drive and Belmont Ridge Road for additional road work this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, November 6 and 7.

According to an e-mail from Waters, "We have been informed that VDOT will provide signage informing motorists of the closure and providing detour options. Please feel free to contact my office if you have further questions, feel free to contact VDOT at 1-800-367-7623 or you can always email my staff aide jessica.echard@loudoun.gov."

Nothing official about the closure on the VDOT website as of late last night.

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