Transportation Updates from Ashburn District Supervisor Ralph Buona

Here's some transportation updates from Ashburn District Supervisor Ralph Buona's email newsletter.

Ashburn Village Boulevard/Route 7 Interchange Design
Working with BF Saul and One Loudoun, Supervisor Williams and I were able to resolve the last remaining hurdle to this interchange with respect to the design.  Funds have been allocated for the county’s participation in design revisions for this interchange.   The 60% redesign will be completed in 90 days from issuance of notice to proceed. If the cost of the alternative design is less than the current design, One Loudoun will proceed to final design and right of way can be acquired.  Construction could begin in 2013.  Thank you to our hard working county employees who helped make this happen.

Belmont Ridge Road/Route 7 Interchange 

The Interchange Justification Report has been approved.  Utility plans are being prepared by Dewberry and are undergoing quality review.  A meeting with the utility companies to discuss relocation and right of way needs is planned for February.  Right of way plans should then be prepared by late April.  County and VDOT staffs plan to meet soon to discuss the right of way acquisition process. Dewberry will be seeking location design approval through the VDOT Chief Engineer.

Increase in Greenway Tolls 

As reported in my December newsletter, the owners of the Greenway filed an application with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to raise tolls.  Even though we spoke out against it, the SCC approved the requested toll hike, increasing tolls by 10 cents.  The new rates will increase from $4 to $4.10 with weekday peak rates from $4.80 to $4.90.  However, there is legislation pending in the General Assembly for The Commonwealth of Virginia to purchase the privately held Greenway.  If the Commonwealth is successful, a reduction in tolls and distance based pricing should occur.

Waxpool Road/Faulkner Parkway to Unbridled

Including new traffic signal at Ashburn Village Boulevard& Waxpool Road

The county is finalizing land acquisition and aiming for “bid for construction” to occur in March for this project.  Contract award and approval by the BOS will take two to three months, and then construction will commence in late spring to early summer.  The much needed traffic signal at Ashburn Village Boulevard and Waxpool Road will be constructed as part of this project.  My office is monitoring this project very closely as it is critically important to make this improvement as soon as possible.

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What's Up with Getting a Signal at the Intersection of Waxpool Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard?

Thanks to a reader of Loudoun County Traffic comes this information from VDOT about the intersection of Waxpool Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard.

Our reader writes that she travels that area everyday and witnesses near misses. "Someone will get hurt at that intersection if this congestion is not taken care of."

Furthermore, our reader contacted the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and was told by Marc A. Cioffi, VDOT Area Traffic Engineer for Prince William and Loudoun Counties, that "a signal will not be installed until the widening of Ashburn Village Boulevard (by a private developer) and Waxpool Road (by Loudoun County) has been completed."

"To date, the developer has completed the widening of Ashburn Village Blvd. but the county has not completed the widening of Waxpool Road. It is the county’s intent to install the signal during their Waxpool widening project."

Any response from Loudoun County leadership?

Thanks to our readers for sharing traffic/transit updates and we'll share news and information as we get it.

  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.

Ribbon Cut on Extension of Russell Branch Parkway in Ashburn

The Loudoun Independent had a nice story yesterday (Tuesday) about a segment of Russell Branch Parkway in Ashburn opening to motorists.

"With work kicking off two years ago, the $10 million four-lane extension of the road was supposed to open in December. But, because of an unexpected “kink” in the road that had to be fixed, opening was moved to April 27.

"Several local elected leaders, including State Sen. Mark Herring (D-eastern Loudoun) and county Supervisors Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) and Stevens Miller (D-Dulles), attended the ribbon-cutting event, as did members of the development team behind the future community called One Loudoun, who paid for the project. Speaking about easing congestion on nearby Route 7, Waters said, "the opening of this road will provide a key relief."

"The new segment connects Loudoun County Parkway and Ashburn Village Boulevard. In addition, a new traffic light was installed at Loudoun County Parkway and Russell Branch, which was also paid for by One Loudoun developers."

Leesburg Today also reports on the story. Their article post online also includes some video footage.

"It's been more than two years since local government and business leaders gathered on the property of One Loudoun to break ground on the much-needed extension of Russell Branch Parkway. This morning many of those same people officially opened the road, which was largely completed by early 2009, but remained closed to traffic awaiting VDOT approval.

"A team effort and work is always going to have its problems, its kinks," Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) said during the ceremony. "But I think this is an example of what we are able to accomplish together."

  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.