May 15 Meeting on Changes to Gum Spring Road and Route 50 Intersection

A community information meeting to discuss the opening of the new intersection of Gum Spring Road and Route 50 is scheduled for 7 p.m. next Thursday, May 15, at Mercer Middle School, 42149 Greenstone Drive in Aldie.

Staff from Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure and the Virginia Department of Highways will be on hand at the meeting hosted by Dulles District Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau.

The new intersection is set to open Wednesday, May 21. At that time, the existing portion of Gum Spring Road will be closed just before the intersection with Tall Cedars Parkway. This will close permanently with a cul-de-sac to be constructed. Access will still be provided at Route 50 for the Gum Spring Village Center. However, any through traffic for Gum Spring south of the Gum Spring Village Center will want to use the new portion of Gum Spring at the new signal located just to the east of the Gum Spring Village Center.

The section of Tall Cedars Parkway between Gum Spring Road and Millstream Drive will also close for 60 to 90 days to allow a reconstruction of the Tall Cedars and Gum Spring intersection to fix elevation issues and install turn lanes. There will be a detour route established during this time using Greenstone Drive to Stone Springs Boulevard. Following completion of this intersection, work will begin on a new turn lane for Providence Ridge.

Visual representations of the work and the detours will be on display at the meeting.

   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.

Route 50 Traffic Pattern Shift Scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 29

According to Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will shift traffic on Route 50 beginning next Tuesday, Jan. 29 (weather permitting).  

Letourneau's email update today reports that Eastbound Route 50 traffic from just east of Tall Cedars Parkway through the intersection at Pleasant Valley Road will be diverted approximately 50 feet to the south.  This shift will be fully operational by the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 30. 

Access to or from any of the side streets or entrances will not be impacted. 

As with any change in traffic pattern, you may want to allow a little extra time as drivers become accustomed to the shifted lanes.

   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.

Route 50 Traffic Calming Improvements in Aldie Complete

Congressmen Frank Wolf and Robert Hurt, Loudoun County and Fauquier County board members, the Route 50 Task Force and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) cut the ribbon earlier this week on a $7.2 million traffic-calming project along Route 50, aimed at slowing drivers and increasing safety through the village of Aldie, between Middleburg and Gilberts Corner in Loudoun County.

The project transformed Route 50 through Aldie from a highway feel to a village street, similar to the traffic-calming project completed several years ago in Upperville. Drivers approaching Aldie on Route 50 are now transitioned to the town speed limit with landscaping, sidewalks, and raised crosswalks in the Village area. A series of attractive spaced pavers also gain drivers’ attention to slow down. At the entrance to the Village, the speed limit changes to 25 mph.

Other traffic-calming measures within Aldie include raised intersections, tree-planted medians, varying paving materials to indicate parking, walking, and driving areas, strategically placed greenery along the streets, and safer pedestrian walkways. Drainage improvements enclosed a deep roadside ditch with a storm sewer system.

The materials used for the sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks, and raised intersections were each chosen to complement the historic and rural nature of the community.

The $7.2 million price tag includes $2.1 million for design, $300,000 for right of way acquisition and $4.8 million for construction. VDOT reports that the multi-million dollar project was completed on time and on budget.

Aldie is the third traffic-calming project to be completed on the rural Route 50 corridor in Fauquier and Loudoun counties, designed to slow traffic, improve safety for pedestrians and motorists, and help preserve the historic and rural nature of the corridor. The $7.8 million Upperville traffic-calming project was completed in fall 2008, and the $16.1 million Gilberts Corner project, which replaced the intersection with roundabouts, was completed in 2009.

More photos and details on the projects are available on VDOT’s Route 50 traffic-calming project pages and at www.Route50.org.

   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.

Route 50 Construction Alert: Traffic Pattern Changing Monday‏

Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau reports that his office has been alerted by VDOT that there will be a significant change in the traffic pattern on Route 50 on Monday, April 16 (weather permitting).

"All eastbound and westbound lanes of Route 50 will be shifted to the north between Tall Cedars Parkway and Pleasant Valley Road.

"This time, there will be no decrease in the number of travel lanes available. Nevertheless, it often times takes drivers a few days to adjust to this kind of change, so you may want to leave yourself some extra time on Monday if you use Route 50 to commute."

The lane shift is occurring so that the contractor can repave the original lanes and relocate certain utilities.

  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.

VDOT to Re-open Third Lane on Route 50 in Chantilly

The Virginia Department of Transportation will re-open the third lane on eastbound Route 50 between Stonecroft Boulevard and Route 28 which closed to traffic last weekend as part of the Route 50 widening project in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.

The one-mile lane closure has caused lengthy delays on eastbound Route 50 and surrounding roads during the morning rush this week. The lane will re-open by March 5, weather permitting.

“We dropped the ball on this one and I apologize to motorists,” said Garrett Moore, VDOT’s District Administrator for Northern Virginia. “We did not communicate the planned closure and, as a result, motorists have been stuck in lengthy delays throughout the morning rush. We’ve gone back to the drawing board with the engineering team to review options for completing the work without taking away the third lane, or if we have to take it, trying to minimize the time and impact, as well as communicating well in advance.”

About the project
Construction began last fall to widen Route 50 from four to six lanes between Poland Road in Loudoun County and Route 28 in Fairfax County. When the 3.7-mile, $100 million design-build project is complete at the end of 2014, motorists will have three lanes in each direction, improved turn lanes and traffic signals, curb and gutter on the outside lanes, crosswalks and pedestrian signals, widened and upgraded bridges, and pathways on both sides of the road. The road will also be more level and provide wider buffers between travel lanes and roadside hazards.

  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.

Route 50 Roadwork

From the Blue Ridge District newsletter, November issue, Supervisor Jim Burton:

"The widening of the eastern end of Route 50 from Poland Road to the Route 28 interchange is underway.  Between November 7th and November 11th the westbound right lane will be closed daily for construction activities on the north side of Route 50.  Lane closure will occur between 9:30 am until 3 pm.  While this should not impact rush hour traffic, you may want to take the closure into account for any mid-day trips."

  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.

Route 50 Widening Project to Start Next Week

According to a VDOT press release, construction begins next week to widen Route 50 from four to six lanes between Poland Road in Loudoun County and Route 28 in Fairfax County. The 3.7-mile design-build project will take three years to complete.

Motorists will begin seeing construction equipment and work crews on Oct. 5, weather permitting. Through next spring, crews will be working only on westbound Route 50, restriping pavement and shifting lanes to make room for construction.

There will be no lane closures on holidays or during rush hours, but motorists can expect lane closures overnight and mid-day. During all other times, all lanes and turn lanes will remain open.

Route 50 narrows from six lanes to four just west of Route 28. Increased development and congestion in Loudoun County creates backups during much of the day on the existing four-lane segment, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

When completed, traffic-clogged Route 50 will have three lanes in each direction, improved turn lanes and traffic signals, curb and gutter on the outside lanes, crosswalks and pedestrian signals, widened and upgraded bridges, and pathways on both sides of the road. The road will also be more level and provide wider buffers between travel lanes and roadside hazards.

The $100 million improvement project includes $8.3 million for preliminary engineering, $24.5 million for right of way acquisition, $9.9 million for utility relocation and $57.2 million for construction.

Shirley Contracting is the contractor for the design-build project.

  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.

Rt. 50 Crash Thursday Night near Middleburg Takes Life of Centreville Man

A Centreville, Virginia man lost his life yesterday, Thursday, November 19, in a two vehicle crash on Route 50 just east of Carters Farm Lane just east of the Town of Middleburg.

William E. Albers, 66, of Middleburg, was attempting to turn west onto Route 50 from a private drive on the south side of Rt. 50, when his 2005 Toyota Prius crossed into the path of an eastbound 2003 Lincoln Town Car driven by Syan Trilochan-Singh, 69, of Centreville.

Albers and his juvenile passenger were both wearing seatbelts at the time and were transported to the Cornwall Campus of INOVA Loudoun Hospital where they were treated and released. Trilochan-Singh was also taken to the Cornwall Campus where he passed away from injuries sustained in the crash. Trilochan-Singh is believed to have been wearing his seatbelt at the time and his front airbag did deploy.

The crash remains under investigation by members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Charges are pending.

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.

Route 50 Update from VDOT

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the contractor has reached “substantial completion” on the Gilberts Corner project. Kenny Robinson, Route 50 Corridor Project Manager, reports today that "VDOT and the contractor have begun the 'punch list' of outstanding issues and the project appears to be headed for two important designations -- on time and on budget."

VDOT, along with design/build partners Lane Construction/VHB Engineering, will be holding the Gilberts Corner ribbon cutting on November 30 at 1 p.m. at the Historic Mount Zion Church.

Robinson adds that crews are still out on the project working on landscaping, lighting, pavement markings and signs, as well as spreading topsoil, dressing up and seeding slopes, cleaning pipes and curbs, etc.

VDOT reminds motorists to be careful when entering the roundabouts, always yield to traffic in the circle, and watch out for those drivers that don’t yield the right of way.

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.

Route 50 Project Update

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the contractor for the roundabouts project at Gilbert's Corner has been working to finish the final pavement course resulting in some delays in the off peak time between morning and evening rush hour. The contractor is also building up the shoulders and preparing the slopes for seeding.

Kenny Robinson, VDOT Route 50 Corridor Program Manager, reports that the landscaping is underway and "we hope to have it all in place by Thanksgiving." Furthermore, the lighting contractor is still working on getting all the poles up and conduit in place. And work is still underway to get all the new signs up. Guardrails also have been installed.

Robinson adds that drivers need to remember to yield to traffic already in the circle and to be careful of other drivers that fail to yield.

VDOT should be ready to cut the ribbon on this project shortly after Thanksgiving.

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.

Current Route 50 Detour will be Re-opened This Week

According to VDOT, roundabout #1 will be in operation by mid-week as the traffic signals will be coming down and Route 50 will be reopened between Roundabouts #1 and #2. No more detours, but there will be lane closures during non-peak hours. With the opening of all four roundabouts, motorists should see improved traffic flows and shorter delays during rush hour.

Meanwhile, the repaving from Arcola to Aldie is nearing completion as all of the new pavement is down. The contractor continues to work to install pavement markings and shoulder stone.

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.

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.

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.

Watson Road at Route 50 to be Closed for Two Weeks

Beginning on Monday, August 3, Watson Road at Route 50 in Loudoun County will be closed to through traffic for two weeks, so that crews can complete work on one of four roundabouts under construction near Gilbert’s Corner.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes such as Evergreen Mills Road. Residents of Watson Road will continue to be able to access their homes via connecting roads other than Route 50.

Watson Road currently carries about 1,700 vehicles per day at Route 50 and about 1,000 at Evergreen Mills Road.

The roundabout project is an effort to improve safety and traffic flow along Routes 50 and 15. Roundabouts are being constructed at Gilbert’s Corner, Route 50 and Watson Road, and at either end of the recently built Howsers Branch Drive. The direct link Howsers Branch creates between Routes 50 and 15 will allow some northbound Route 15 and westbound Route 50 traffic to bypass Gilbert's Corner, reducing vehicles through that intersection by about one-third.

According to VDOT, the $15.8 million project is scheduled to be complete in late 2009. Under a design-build contract with The Lane Construction Corporation and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., design and construction are being closely coordinated to reduce the project’s cost and duration.

VDOT adds that 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, printable brochure and Gilbert’s Corner project information is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/.

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.

Gilbert's Corner Roundabout Construction Detour Starts July 1

Beginning July 1, motorists on Route 50 in Loudoun County will be detoured around the intersection at Route 15 (Gilbert’s Corner), as the Virginia Department of Transportation continues to build four roundabouts along the two corridors. The shift will last 10-12 weeks, and is expected to add five minutes to non-rush-hour trips and up to 15 minutes during rush hour.

Route 50 will be closed between Route 15 and the newly built connector road, Howsers Branch Drive, about a quarter-mile south of Gilbert’s Corner. Motorists will be detoured to Howsers Branch Drive and a new roundabout on Route 15. A final detour is planned for Watson Road later this summer to complete construction on the roundabouts. VDOT will keep the public informed well in advance of this change.

The roundabouts are an effort to improve safety and traffic flow, while slowing motorists along Routes 50 and 15. Roundabouts are being constructed at Gilbert’s 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 will allow some northbound Route 15 and westbound Route 50 traffic to bypass Gilbert's Corner, reducing vehicles through that intersection by about one-third.

This $15.8 million project is scheduled to be complete in late 2009. Under a design-build contract with The Lane Construction Corporation and Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., design and construction are being closely coordinated to reduce the project’s cost and duration.

Gilbert’s Corner is the second of three Route 50 traffic-calming projects along a 20-mile corridor from Paris in Fauquier County to Lenah in Loudoun County. Improvements in Upperville were finished in October 2008, and a project in Aldie is expected to begin construction in 2010.

According to a VDOT press release, 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 and printable brochure are available here. Gilbert’s Corner project information is available at www.virginiadot.org/ and at www.route50.org/.

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.