Northern Virginia Regional Commission Supports Above-Ground Dulles Rail Station

The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) has voted unanimously to support Loudoun and Fairfax Counties and the Commonwealth of Virginia in opposition to the decision to build an underground Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport.

The NVRC is asking the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors to reconsider its vote in favor of an underground rail station at Dulles. The resolution asks that MWAA “either choose the most cost-effective, aerial option or fund this improvement without funding from the Counties, Commonwealth, or Dulles Toll Road.”

“I am pleased that the members of the NVRC have added their voices to those of us who are calling on MWAA to reconsider its decision regarding the Dulles rail station and to choose the most cost-effective aerial alternative,” said Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York.

The NVRC resolution follows a joint letter signed by Chairman York, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, and Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton asking the MWAA Board to reconsider its decision. The letter urged the MWAA Board to continue to work with its funding partners and to continue to evaluate the more cost-effective aerial, or above-ground, station. The selection of the underground station will add approximately $300 million to the project cost and bring the total cost for Phase 2 to $3.5 billion. This will raise Loudoun County’s total contribution to the project to $300 million.

The NVRC is a regional council of fourteen member local governments in Northern Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William Counties; the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park; and the Towns of Dumfries, Herndon, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Vienna.

The resolution is available online at www.loudoun.gov/nvrc-resolution.

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Statewide Blitz Fixes More Than 108,000 Potholes

Governor Bob McDonnell on Tuesday announced that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) had repaired more than 108,000 potholes throughout the Commonwealth since the launch of the 2011 pothole blitz campaign on March 8.

According to a press release from the governor's office, the milder winter this year led to fewer potholes to repair than the 161,00 filled during the 2010 pothole blitz.

The governor added that the pothole blitz "has helped to make travel safer and easier for all Virginia motorists."

Potholes can form at any time, so Loudoun County commuters shuld continue to report them at www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-potholes.asp or by calling the VDOT Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD.



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Governor Encourages All Virginia Residents to Try Alternate Forms of Transportation

Earlier this week, Governor Bob McDonnell announced the Virginia Transportation Challenge as part of Virginia's celebration of Earth Day.

The challenge encourages all Virginians to try a form of transportation other than driving alone once every two weeks. The challenge is designed to help residents begin to shift the way they look at their daily commute and make small changes that can have a big impact on congestion on Virginia highways and the quality of our environment.

"Sometimes driving alone really is the only option, but not always. Sometimes taking the bus or train, carpooling, vanpooling or teleworking is an even better option. Every time you make the choice to not drive alone you are helping reduce congestion on our highways and harmful emissions in our environment, and you are keeping a little extra money in your wallet," said Governor McDonnell.

Virginia's population is expected to grow by 35 percent by 2035, and while the Commonwealth works to improve and expand its transportation system, Virginians must begin a fundamental shift in the way we travel to take greater advantage of the transportation options available to us today.

Using the vast array of transportation options available in Virginia can deliver significant benefits. Public transportation options reduce harmful gas emissions in our environment and gallons of gasoline used each year, remove cars from our congestion highways, and can help families save thousands over the cost of owning and operating a car. Options such as telework can remove the need to commute completely, saving millions of vehicle miles traveled.

McDonnell added, "Transportation is one of the key challenges facing the Commonwealth, and ensuring we have a modern and efficient transportation system is a key part of keeping Virginia the nation's best place to live and do business. The historic transportation funding legislation passed in the General Assembly, Virginia's new telework tax credit legislation and the Virginia Transportation Challenge all work together to improve our transportation system to meet the demands of the future and help address the congestion we are facing today."

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation's (DRPT) Service Locator tool can help you identify the transportation options available in your area. The tool can be accessed by visiting www.drpt.virginia.gov/locator.

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Several Loudoun County Roads on Commonwealth Transportation Board's 6-Year Plan

The Commonwealth Transportation Board last week released a draft six-year improvement program which includes funding for projects in Governor Bob McDonnell’s transportation package.

Northern Virginians -- including Loudoun County commuters -- can comment on the proposed program at a public hearing on May 4, at the new VDOT building located at 4975 Alliance Drive in Fairfax. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

In Northern Virginia, the draft plan would fund the following new projects:

• I-66 Gainesville to Haymarket – Add one HOV lane and one regular lane in each direction from Route 29 in Gainesville to Route 15 at Haymarket (three miles). A new interchange would be constructed at I-66 and Route 15. The $132 million project would begin in 2015 and take three years to complete.
• I-66 active traffic management system (ATM) – The draft plan includes $32 million to implement the latest traffic management technology to ease congestion on I-66. Implementation would begin in 2012.
• I-395 HOV ramp at Seminary Road – Construction of an HOV ramp to the Mark Center. The $80 million project would begin in 2015.
• I-95 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes – Construct 29 miles of HOV/HOT lanes on I-95 from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to the vicinity of Edsall Road on I-395 in Fairfax County. The draft plan includes about $52 million from the Commonwealth. The majority of funding for the project is being financed by the private sector. Construction could begin as early as the 2012 construction season and take up to three years to complete. Environmental review is underway and public information meetings will be held this fall.
• Route 7 in Fairfax County – Widening from four to six lanes from Reston Avenue to the Dulles Toll Road (5.3 miles). The draft program includes $30 million for design which would begin this fall. No funding is currently available for right of way or construction.
• Route 7 at Sycolin Road in Leesburg – Construct a $21.6 million overpass to carry Sycolin Road over the Route 7 Bypass. Construction could begin in 2014
• Route 7 at Belmont Ridge Road in Loudoun County – Construct a $72 million interchange. Construction could begin in 2015. Loudoun County would design and construct. VDOT would acquire right of way.
• Route 1 at Route 123 in Prince William County – The draft includes $35 million to widen Route 1 beginning in 2015. Phase two of the project, construction of the interchange, is not yet funded.
• Route 123 in Fairfax – The draft includes $15 million to build a connection to George Mason West Campus Road.
• Fairfax County Parkway – Construct a loop at Rolling Road. The draft plan includes $14 million toward the $$25 million project. Construction begins in 2015.
• Battlefield Parkway Extension in Leesburg – Extend the Parkway for one mile. Construction on the $11 million project would begin in 2015.

The following projects in the plan were recommended by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. They would be constructed by VDOT or local jurisdicition.

• Route 1 North in Prince William County – Reconstruction and widening. Design on this $37 million project could begin 2013 and construction in 2017.
• Route 7 and Lexington Drive in Ashburn – Construct a bridge to carry Lexington Drive over Route 7. Design on the $25 million project would begin in 2013 and construction would begin in 2016.
• Route 7 in Tysons Corner – Draft includes $23 million towards $308 million of roadway improvements. Design would begin in 2013.
• Route 123 in Tysons – The draft plan includes $19 million for this $56 million project to improve access to future Metrorail. Construction would begin in 2014.
• Columbia Pike Streetcar Project – The draft plan includes $35 million towards implementation of Arlington County’s streetcar project. Design could begin in 2013.
• Dulles Toll Road – The draft includes $21 million of $25 million for Reston metro access. Design could begin in 2012.
• Route 15 (Market Street) in Leesburg – The draft includes a $5.5 million project for 300 park-and-ride spaces.

Following public hearings around the state, the Board will vote on a final plan on June 15 for the July 1 fiscal year.

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Take Chairman York's Poll -- Which Option for the Dulles Rail Project Do You Support?

Poll: With all the debate regarding the aerial alignment versus $300 million more for the underground station, which do you support?

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Governor McDonnell Calls on MWAA to Reverse Metrorail Tunnel Decision

Commonwealth Does Not Support More Expensive Route for Metrorail Project

Governor Bob McDonnell sent a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) today, calling on its board of directors to reconsider its recent vote to pursue a tunnel alignment for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project through the Dulles International Airport. The Commonwealth and localities have expressed frustration regarding the MWAA vote to pursue a more expensive tunnel alignment for the project.

"The tunnel alignment has, by all accounts, been shown to be the much more expensive alignment through the airport, costing hundreds of millions more than the aerial alignment with relatively minimal positive logistical or aesthetic benefit," McDonnell wrote.

"Taxpayers in Northern Virginia will bear the burden of this significant cost difference, which will make it difficult to achieve the Commonwealth's goal of reaching a total project cost close to the original $2.5 billion. I, along with the project's local government funding partners in the town of Herndon, and Loudoun and Fairfax counties, are very surprised and disappointed in the MWAA board's very costly decision and hope that upon further reflection, the board would come to the more fiscally sound decision to pursue the aerial alignment."

The MWAA board voted to pursue the tunnel alignment for the project in its meeting in early April. The decision will likely add $250 to $300 million to the project cost and places in jeopardy the original $2.5 billion estimate for completion of the next phase of work.

On April 18, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton sent a joint letter to MWAA expressing "outrage" over this decision and threatening to withhold their portion of funding unless the board reconsidered.

To read a copy of the letter, visit www.drpt.virginia.gov/news/files/Letter.pdf.

According to the Washington Post, the first phase of the Metrorail extension, which is costing $2.75 billion, connects with the existing rail system near East Falls Church and consists of four stations in Tysons Corner and one at Wiehle Avenue in Reston. It is scheduled to open in 2013. The second phase would run from Wiehle Avenue to Ashburn in eastern Loudoun and is projected to cost $3.5 billion with an underground Dulles station. The original estimate was $2.5 billion. The phase is estimated to open in 2017.

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Open Letter from Loudoun County Supervisor Kelly Burk

Do We Need Another Major New Highway in Loudoun?‏

Dear Friends,

Members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) presented a motion at the March 16, 2011 meeting to add a major transportation corridor, otherwise known as the North-South Corridor of Statewide Significance (CoSS), through Loudoun County that would encompass the land area between Route 28 and Route 15.

Loudoun County has long been opposed to this plan which has previously been identified as the “Outer Beltway” and the “Western Transportation Corridor”. Once the Commonwealth Transportation Board makes a CoSS designation, localities must include the corridor in their Countywide Transportation Plans. The county and its residents have no control over location, timing, or size; nor can the county re-locate, eliminate, or change the number of lanes. Additionally, such a designation includes parallel roadway facilities. At the February 16, 2011 CTB meeting, the makers of the motion indicated their intention to bring such a proposal to the March meeting. However, based on the lack of transparency and notice, a motion was made and approved to defer the vote until the CTB’s April 20, 2011 meeting.

I urge you to speak out against this plan by e-mailing the Board of Supervisors as well as the members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board to let them know you oppose the North-South Corridor of Statewide Significance by the CTB. You can reach the BOS by email at: BOS@Loudoun.gov and members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board at www.ctb.virginia.gov/members.asp.

To find out more information about the North-South Corridor of Statewide Significance, go to www.ctb.virginia.gov/meetings.asp.

Reprinted from an April 20 e-mail to constituents from Supervisor Burk.

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Road Closures and Lanes Affected for Week of April 24

VDOT has released its list of lane closures and road work this week (week of April 24). Lots of Loudoun County roads will be affected. See below for the complete list -- click on each image for an enlarged view -- or visit the VDOT website (PDF) for the complete list of road closures and lanes affected throughout Northern Virginia.

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Two Vehicle Crash on Saturday Takes the Life of a Leesburg Man

Around 2 p.m. yesterday, Saturday, April 23, Loudoun Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of Harper's Ferry Road just north of Butts Lane for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles and a possible intoxicated driver.

Investigation into the incident revealed that Michael Allen Rollison, 43, of Leesburg was driving northbound in a 1990 Ford Bronco on Harper's Ferry Road when he rear ended a northbound 2006 Kia Sorento. The driver of the Kia, David Norris, 69, of Frederick, MD was traveling on Harper's Ferry Road after turning northbound from a nearby business, was established within his lane, and was accelerating up towards the posted speed limit of 45 mph when he was struck from behind by Rollison's Ford Bronco. After the impact Norris’ vehicle was pushed northbound while the Ford struck an embankment and overturned. According to independent witnesses the Ford Bronco was traveling at high rate of speed.

Rollison was accompanied by his father, front seat passenger, Ronnie Lewis Miller, 60, of Leesburg. Miller sustained serious injuries and was transported to Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, WV. He later succumbed to his injuries.

The Ford Bronco was not equipped with airbags. Miller and Rollison were not wearing seat-belts at the time of the crash. Rollison was uninjured in the incident. Norris was accompanied by his wife. Both of them were wearing their seat-belts. Both Mr. and Mrs. Norris were uninjured in the incident.

Rollison was charged with felony DUI/DUID (3rd in 10 years) and is currently being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on no bond.

The investigation into the crash was a cooperative effort between the Loudoun Sheriff's Field Operations Division and the Special Operations Division Crash Investigation Unit, the Motor Unit, and Crime Scene Unit.

Deputies with the Crash Investigation Unit are reviewing the results of the investigation with the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. Anyone who may have knowledge to the whereabouts and/or activities of Rollinson and Miller during the hours prior to the crash is asked to contact DFC J. McClintic with the Loudoun Sheriff Crash Investigation Unit at 703-771-5798.

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Loudoun County Gets Ready for Bike to Work Day on May 20

Loudoun County is gearing up for Bike to Work Day, set for Friday, May 20. Both new and experienced cyclists are encouraged to register for this free event at www.waba.org or by calling 202-518-0524. Free T-shirts are available for the first 9,000 registrants in the region.

The Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services will host two of 49 Bike to Work Day pit stops in the region, where participants can pick-up free T-shirts and giveaways, enjoy refreshments and enter prize raffles. The Loudoun pit stops will be located along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, rain or shine in:

• Leesburg at Raflo Park on Harrison Street, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Sterling at the trail entrance to Orbital Sciences Corporation, just east of Route 28, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Bike to Work Day celebrates a clean, healthy way to reach work. It is coordinated by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

For more information, contact the Office of Transportation Services at 703-737-8044 or visit www.loudoun.gov/biketowork.

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Toll Road Users Sue Over Diversion of Funds to Rail

According to The Newspaper dot com, "a journal of the politics of driving," users of the Dulles Toll Road in Northern Virginia filed a federal class action lawsuit yesterday [April 15] seeking refunds from toll hikes imposed to fund a $7 billion mass transit project. Great Falls resident John B. Corr and Hillsboro resident John W. Grigsby argued that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has no authority to set toll rates and that the diversion of over $130 million from motorists constitutes an illegal tax.

"'No taxation without representation' is not simply some slogan redolent of a past age of patriots and heroes," attorney Robert Cynkar wrote on behalf of Corr and Grigsby. "Rather, it is an ever-vital principle at the heart of representative government and the liberty such government is established to preserve... This case challenges exactions of money from motorists, through the tolls they pay for the use of the Dulles Toll Road, that violate this fundamental principle and so are unconstitutional under the federal and Virginia constitutions."

In 2005, the Commonwealth Transportation Board increased the amount of tolls far beyond the cost of operation, maintenance and debt service for the Dulles Toll Road. The extra money was meant to be used to bankroll the construction of a Metrorail line to Dulles International Airport, 25 miles outside the nation's capital. MWAA took control of the toll road in 2008.

Read the full article.

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Loudoun County Joins in Opposition to MWAA Dulles Rail Station Decision

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has voted to authorize Chairman Scott York to sign a joint letter with Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia expressing "outrage with the April 6, 2011 decision of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors regarding the alignment for the proposed Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport."

The letter, also signed by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova and Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, asks the MWAA Board to reconsider its decision in favor of an underground rail station at Dulles. The letter is being sent to the Chairman of the MWAA Board, Charles Snelling.

The letter states that the increased costs associated with an underground rail station at Dulles Airport "must be borne solely by MWAA. The funding will not be provided by Loudoun or Fairfax counties, the Commonwealth of Virginia or the Dulles Toll Road."

The letter urges the MWAA Board to continue to work with its funding partners and to continue to evaluate the more cost-effective aerial, or above-ground, station. The selection of the underground station will add approximately $300 million to the project cost and bring the total cost for Phase 2 to $3.5 billion. This will raise Loudoun County’s total contribution to the project to $300 million.

The entire letter is available online at www.loudoun.gov/mwaa-letter.

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Transportation Update from the Broad Run District

Here's a transportation update from the April issue of the Broad Run District newsletter from Loudoun County Supervisor Lori L. Waters.

Loudoun County Parkway Widening
Today, the Board also voted 4-3-2 (Burton, Miller, Burk opposed and Buckley and Waters absent) to allow staff to gather more information on a Public-Private Partnership proposal from Beaumeade Associates, LLP c/o Lerner Enterprises. The proposal would allow the County to widen from two to four lanes the segment of Loudoun County Parkway (LCP) in the area of Redskins Park. This segment, currently on the Lerner Property (not controlled by VDOT), presents a danger to residents with a sudden narrowing from four to two lanes, a decrease in speed limit, and the curb which juts out oddly. Beaumeade has agreed to provide right-of-way and/or easements at no cost to the County. The County would pay for the widening upfront and Beaumeade/Lerner would reimburse the County when their development occurs. At this point, staff will now take on other offers for this project and come back to the BOS with options.

Russell Branch Parkway Extension
Also at the April 5 Board meeting, we initiated a process to amend Ashburn Village Center proffers to allow for the County to proceed with construction of Russell Branch Parkway (RBP) behind the Community Church, from Ashburn Road to Ashburn Village Boulevard. The change will allow the county to accept cash in lieu of construction from Ashburn Village Center owners, B.F. Saul. This would ensure that the designated portion of RBP was designed and constructed at the same time, as opposed to a more costly phased in process.

Route 7/659 (Belmont Ridge Road) Interchange
The FSGO committee also voted to recommend the full Board approve an increase in the contract award for the architectural and engineering design services for the Rt. 659/Rt. 7 interchange in the amount of $1,721,638. The increase is required to extend the footprint of the widening of Route 659 associated with the interchange from its limit of future Russell Branch Parkway to south of Gloucester Parkway. During the 2011 General Assembly session, funding was approved for an illustriave list of transportation projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The County and VDOT have been told that up to $72 million will be available for the Route 7/659 interchange.

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Sherrifs Office Looking for Witnesses to Two Vehicle Crash Monday Evening on Braddock Road

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office is seeking witnesses to a two vehicle crash that occurred on Braddock Road near Supreme Drive Monday evening near Aldie.

Around 7:15 p.m. on Monday, April 18, Christopher J. Schemmel, 18, of Stone Ridge, was eastbound on Braddock Road in a 2006 Infiniti sedan when he turned in front of a westbound 2002 Ford Escape. The driver of the Ford, Donald M. Legg, 22, of Purcellville was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital. He is expected to fully recover.

During the course of the crash investigation it was determined that Legg was driving under the influence of drugs. He was charged with DUI-D and with failure to wear a seatbelt.

Schemmel was transported to Fair Oaks Hospital for non-life threatening injuries and has since been released.

The crash remains under investigation by members of the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Witnesses to the crash who have not talked directly with a Sheriff’s Deputy are asked to contact DFC S. Allen at 703-737-8308.

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Leesburg Traffic This Weekend

The downtown Leesburg area will be shut down from this weekend, thru Sunday, April 17, for the annual Flower and Garden Show.  Loudoun County and Leesburg commuters should expect different traffic patterns and use caution while driving in the area.  Alternate routes should be taken to avoid this area if traveling thru.

Transportation and Traffic Update from Catoctin District Supervisor

From the April e-newsletter ("Catoctin District Update") by Sally Kurtz, Catoctin District Supervisor on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, with updates on transportation projects, maintenance and traffic engineering items.

Transportation
Since 1998, Loudoun County and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have been working together to provide roadway safety improvements along U.S. Route 15, specifically in the area between Leesburg and the Maryland State Line at Point of Rocks. Per the jointly approved U.S. Route 15 Safety Improvements Project, one of the focus areas will be safety improvements for the Village of Lucketts.

Recently, VDOT revived the project by selecting a consultant to develop the preliminary design. Design will follow the 2006 concept plan approved by the Lucketts-area citizens and Loudoun County. Through the preliminary design phase, the consultant will perform an updated survey, collect traffic data and complete a traffic analysis, and develop the preliminary design to current standards.

A public information session is anticipated to be held to update the citizens in the summer 2011.

Potholes
If you have concerns about specific roadway conditions, like potholes or dangerous ditches brought on by all of the rainy weather of late, call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623).

Potential Road Closure
There may be a long road closure of Edwards Ferry Road at the Battlefield Parkway intersection from June 20 to August 19 to speed up work on opening two lanes of the new Battlefield Parkway. Contact Renee LaFollette, Deputy Director of Capital Projects at rlafollette@leeburgva.gov or at 703-737-6071 for more information about this potential road closing.

VDOT Project Status

Maintenance
VDOT is preparing to begin repaving operations throughout the region. Sections of a number of Loudoun primary and secondary roads are included.

Preliminary Engineering Projects
Route 15 North - Plan for Lucketts Safety Initiatives – Project reinitiated with consultants updating traffic and survey data. Construction remains unfunded.

Route 7 – Operational Improvements Potomac View Road to Augusta Drive – Plans are being finalized for submission to VDOT and appropriate agencies; construction bid process planned for Spring, 2011. County and VDOT staff to meet to discuss outstanding issues with design elements.

Route 7 – East Market Street to South King Street [Sycolin Road Overpass Only] – After briefing the Leesburg Town Council and Board of Supervisors at a joint meeting in October, the scope of the project has been reduced to include only the Sycolin Road overpass. The consultant has been given direction accordingly. The anticipated cost is between $23-25 million. The project has been included on the illustrative project list developed as part of the recent transportation initiatives at the State level.

Route 7 Climbing Lane/West Market Street to Route 9 – The project was presented at the Shenstone community’s annual HOA meeting on March 9, 2011. The preliminary field inspection was held at VDOT’s March Project Day, and VDOT’s value engineering process was conducted March 22-23, 2011. Work on the NEPA document has been initiated and is anticipated to be complete by this summer. VDOT expects to hold its design public hearing in fall, 2011.

Route 7/659 Interchange Design (County Project) – Staff and the consultant are moving forward with the NEPA document. Additionally, the project has been included on the illustrative project list developed as part of the recent transportation initiatives at the State level. As with the Sycolin Road Overpass, staff will be monitoring the draft FY2012-2017 Six-Year Plan (to be released on April 20, 2011) to ensure that the project is shown in the Plan, with funding. In anticipation of the project receiving funding, County and VDOT staff met on March 2, 2011 to discuss options for project delivery. As it stands, the County will administer preliminary engineering to completion with a design-bid-build delivery, VDOT and the County will coordinate roles and responsibilities with respect to the NEPA document (meeting scheduled for March 30, 2011), VDOT will acquire ROW, and the County will administer construction of the project. An action item is being prepared for the April 13, 2011 Finance Committee meeting to authorize funding for final design.

Route 9 – Town of Hillsboro Pedestrian Improvement Project – A work session was held on March 17, 2011 to coordinate the historic and cultural resources component of the NEPA document and to coordinate the Town’s efforts to upgrade its water distribution system. The Virginia Department of Historical Resources (VDHR) has determined that the roundabouts contained within the project constitute an adverse impact on historic resources. An MOA will be required to address the findings of VDHR.

Lovettsville Bike Trail – The draft public hearing plans were presented to the Lovettsville Town Council on March 3, 2011. As currently designed, the project would have a significantly higher construction cost and significantly greater ROW impacts than what the Town can afford or had envisioned. VDOT is investigating options to reduce the project’s footprint and cost, but will need the Town’s concurrence to proceed with additional design.

Evergreen Mill Road/Ryan Road Intersection Improvements – The project scoping was held at VDOT’s March Project Day. The scope will include left- and right-turn lanes on Ryan Road. Work is under way to prepare preliminary field inspection plans.

Riverside Parkway(County Project – Revenue Sharing) – Notice to proceed was issued to the consultant and a kick-off meeting was held with VDOT on October 8, 2010. The consultant has established design parameters for the project and a traffic study has been completed to confirm the lane configuration. This information has been submitted to VDOT for preliminary review. Once VDOT responds to the proposed configuration, the consultant will resume work on the final design. Also, staff plans to meet with Potomac Station HOA to inform them of the preliminary design configuration when it is available.

Allder School Road– (County Project) – Alternatives analysis/design underway. The County and its consultant, Dewberry, have submitted design waivers for MS-19 requirements to both VDOT and County B and D staff. The County has approved the request but the VDOT response is still pending (expected week of March 28, 2011). The request specifically focuses on the Allder School Road bridge crossing of Catoctin Creek. The County is requesting a waiver from VDOT’s design criteria to allow for a smaller bridge structure. Project budget limitations, along with citizen concerns, make this a reasonable alternative to building a bridge structure that is out of scale and character with the surrounding community.

The Woods Road – The location survey for this project continues.

Sands and Taylor Road (CAD TBD) – These two paving projects are fully funded and are moving forward towards construction. Taylor Road is scheduled for completion first, with an anticipated completion date of November, 2012. Sands Road will be completed subsequently as it requires additional survey and design work not necessary for Taylor Road. The current estimate for completion is some time in 2013. A specific completion date will become more firm as the project progresses. In the meantime, the location survey for Sands Road has been initiated.

Ryan RoadShared-Use Path HSIP Application – Application submitted. Awards are expected in the June/July 2011 timeframe.

Traffic Engineering Items
Multi-Way Stop request at Potomac Station Drive – VDOT has stated that multiway stop signs can be put at either end of Binkley Circle or at Malloch and Cardston. A speed study was approved by the State Traffic Engineer’s Office for 45 mph on May 10, 2010. Given the results of the speed study, multi-way stop signs cannot be installed under traffic calming criteria. OTS staff will review the project in light of the speed study and will determine whether multi-way stops can be installed under operational criteria. Traffic counts are currently in progress.

Request by Fox Lee HOA for traffic calming (multi-way stop sign) and pavement markings in their community – VDOT will need a documented speedstudy and community petitions to consider the request further. Awaiting petitionsfrom citizens/HOA.

Shreve Mill Through-Truck Restriction – VDOT requires advertisement of public notice for through-truck restrictions that are being considered to allow for public comment. Advertisements for this through-truck restriction have been posted in local papers.

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Washington Airports Authority Control of Dulles Toll Road Looking Shaky

Here's a detailed article from "Toll Road News" about the recent decision by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to pay a $325 million premium to underground a rail station rather than build it elevated. Nearly 60 percent or $3.7 billon of the cost of the $6 billion+ rail project is supposed to be supported with toll revenue bonds on the Dulles Toll Road.

"Virginia secretary of transportation Sean T. Connaughton has formally protested the expensive undergrounding in a letter to the Airports Authority board, saying that the state of Virginia will regard the undergrounding as an airport expense and not a commitment that is eligible for Dulles Toll Road support or any other support from Virginia. This undercuts the MWAA plan which has been to have tolls pay for a fixed proportion - 57 percent - of the project cost.

"MWAA board member Mary "Mame" Reiley said after the vote of the subway decision: "It is indeed more expensive, but we felt in the long run we were making a decision for the next 50 to 75 years," and that the elevated station involved "another trek at an airport that right now has too many treks."

"We need to beat BWI," Reiley added. "We had to pick the user-friendly station that would encourage more people to travel on the Metro and perhaps even increase our ridership in terms of choosing our airport over Baltimore’s as an international airport."

Toll Road News adds, "The more of a financial mess MWAA gets into the better it is for the treasury of the state of Maryland. Little wonder Maryland delegates to MWAA voted for an underground station at Dulles."

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HOV Hybrid Law Extended, But Hybrids on I-66 Capped

Drivers of hybrid vehicles with the required clean fuel license plates will continue to be able to use the Interstate 95, 395, 66 and Dulles Toll Road High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes until June 30, 2012, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. However, come July 1, 2011, there is an important change on I-66.

The new law states that only hybrid vehicles with clean fuel plates issued prior to July 1, 2011 will be permitted to use the I-66 HOV lanes during rush hours. Police will ticket any hybrid vehicle that does not have a clean fuel plate issued before July 1, 2011.

A similar law took effect on I-95 and I-395 five years ago – only hybrids with clean fuel plates issued before July 1, 2006 are permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes during rush hours.

Beginning July 1, 2011, the Department of Motor Vehicles will issue a clean fuel license plate with a different design so that police can easily spot violators in the HOV lanes.

Delegate Thomas A. “Tag” Greason sponsored the one-year extension which was approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor McDonnell last month.

In order for a hybrid vehicle to use Virginia’s HOV lanes during the morning and afternoon rush hours, the vehicle must have a clean special fuel plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Not all hybrids qualify for clean fuel license plates, motorists should check the DMV Web site, www.dmvnow.com for an updated list of eligible hybrids.

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Media Coverage On the Dulles Rail Tunnel at Dulles International Airport

According to the Washington Business Journal, Virginia state and local officials are refusing to pay the extra costs associated with construction of the Dulles rail project because of a disagreement over where to build the Metro station at Dulles International Airport, the Washington Examiner reports.

"The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voted last week to build the station underground, closer to the terminal, for a price that is $300 million more than the cost of an aboveground station with a slightly longer walk. The airports authority defied the state Department of Transportation and Fairfax and Loudoun counties, which have to pay for much of the project, including the station. Now the three have banded together to muscle the authority into reconsidering."

Barbara Hollingsworth, local opinion editor with the Washington Examiner writes, "Under the funding agreement, Loudoun's Board of Supervisors is legally required to vote on whether to participate in funding Phase Two within 90 days of receiving the completed preliminary engineering report."

"But the MWAA has no contractual obligation to provide supervisors with a traffic or revenue analysis, leading Loudoun Board Chairman Scott York to speculate that "it could end up costing more to ride the toll road than it could to ride the Metro."

"So Loudoun supervisors are expected to vote blindly on an issue of paramount concern to tens of thousands of their constituents with no public hearing, no traffic or revenue analysis, no nothing. Dulles Toll Road users are supposed to just shut up and pay -- but continue driving on the toll road, of course, because if they don't, Dulles Rail's shaky financial scaffolding collapses under its own substantial weight."

WJLA TV-7 video.


WAMU Radio also has the story (audio file). "Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York told WAMU's David Schultz last week that he was 'very disappointed' the MWAA board chose the pricier option for the station."

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Video: Father Bikes Across Country to Raise Awareness of Distracted Driving

Consumer Reports writes that "19-year old Eric Okerblom had decided he wanted to train for the cycling team when he returned for his sophomore year at University of California, Berkeley, but his dreams were cut short in the summer of 2009 when he was killed by a teen driver while biking on the road near his home. Cell phone records show the woman was texting before the accident.

"As a tribute to his son and to spread the message of the dangers of distracted driving, Bob Okerblom put his physician’s practice on hold for a few months and saddled up for a solo trip from California to Florida. Although, he was never a cyclist, he decided to do something in his son’s honor and began to train for the ride last year. You can follow his journey on his blog and check out the Eric Okerblom foundation website he has set up."

Bob and his wife Eileen are in the latest Faces of Distracted Driving video from the Department of Transportation. (See more family stories at distraction.gov.)



In March, Consumer Reports hosted a teen distracted driving event to help educate parents, teachers and teens about the dangers of distracted driving. See the pamphlet distributed to schools and organizations.

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Several Lane Closures and Issues Affecting Roads in Loudoun County This Week

The Virginia Department of Transportation reports the following lane closures and road work that will affect roadways in Loudoun County this week.

Tomorrow, Monday, April 11, VA-267E (Dulles Access Road) from I-495 to I-66 will have alternating lane closures from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for mobile pothole patching operations. Both shoulders of VA-267E from I-495 to I-66 will be closed on Wednesday, April 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for liter pickup operations.

Lots of other paving and road widening operations affecting Loudoun commuters this week. Here's the list:

Visit the VDOT website for the complete list of lane closures and projects affecting roads in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

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Road Widening Affects Route 607 (Smith Switch Road)

VDOT reports road widening project activities on Route 607 (Smith
Switch Road) in Loudoun County, from Chilum Place to Loudoun County
Parkway, will continue through 11 p.m. on June 30.

Motorists can expect potential delays in the area of Smith Switch Road
due to the construction activities. The north left shoulder, through
lanes, and right shoulder are closed. The south left shoulder, through
lanes, and right shoulder are closed.

Commonwealth Expresses Concerns over MWAA Decision to Pursue Dulles Metrorail Rail Tunnel

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sean T. Connaughton expressed concerns in a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) following their vote to build a tunnel through the Dulles International Airport rather than the proposed elevated track for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. The decision will likely add hundreds of millions to the project cost and places in jeopardy the original $2.5 billion estimate for completion of the next phase of work, a move objected to by state leaders.

"As you know, the Commonwealth asked MWAA to ensure the most cost effective construction for Phase 2 of the project, and the decision to pursue a tunnel alignment raises concerns about MWAA's commitment to the Commonwealth to ensure cost sensitive leadership," Connaughton said. "The tunnel alignment, by all accounts, is a more expensive alignment than the aerial option through the airport, and will place a heavy financial burden on local funding partners and Dulles Toll Road users."

The Commonwealth's goal is to advance Phase 2 of the project with a cost estimate as close to the original estimate of $2.5 billion as possible. State officials warned MWAA that its decision will mean difficult future decisions to trim the project budget will be necessary. State officials are also concerned about how high potential toll rates would need to be set to finance the tunnel options.

To read a copy of the letter, visit www.drpt.virginia.gov/news/files/Letter.pdf.

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Underground Metro Station Approved for Dulles International Airport

According to the Washington Examiner, after a year of debate over cost and convenience, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voted 9-4 today to build an underground Metro station at Washington Dulles International Airport, ignoring protests from Fairfax and Loudoun county officials who will shoulder part of the project's cost.

"Fairfax, Loudoun and Virginia Department of Transportation officials had asked the airports authority to build an above-ground train station at the airport that would have cost about $300 million less than the underground station.

"But authority officials said the underground station, which could be located 600 feet closer to the airport, was worth the additional cost. ... In addition to costing more, the underground station puts Dulles Rail project another six months behind schedule. Construction is now expected to be complete by June 2017."

In a statement released earlier today, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott York expressed dismay with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board approval of an underground alignment for the future Metro stop at Dulles International Airport. The alternative chosen maintains the Phase 2 rail project cost overrun of $1 billion, according to documents provided by MWAA. While the MWAA Board had the opportunity to save $300 million by selecting an aerial station, the MWAA Board ignored the Loudoun and Fairfax Boards of Supervisors, as well as the Virginia Secretary of Transportation, and chose an underground station.

"The MWAA Board has claimed this as a cost-savings victory. I see this project as still being $1 billion over budget," said Chairman York. "Let me state that again – one billion dollars, with a ‘b’ – over the original cost estimates, and yet they left $300 million on the table by choosing the underground alternative. Further, the option chosen will delay the project by at least six months.

"It is unconscionable that an unelected, federally-appointed Board would burden the taxpayers of Loudoun County with additional costs while not taking advantage of every tax-savings opportunity. I am disappointed and frustrated by the decision of the MWAA Board," York stated.

Chairman York noted that he intends to bring an item to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors at its next business meeting asking the Board to approve a formal letter requesting that the MWAA Board reconsider its decision, reduce the $1 billion cost overrun by $300 million, and utilize the lesser-cost aerial option. York stated, "If the MWAA Board refuses to reconsider its decision, then MWAA needs to pay for the differential, not its funding partners!"

According to a MWAA press release, the station location offers a more cost-effective version of the 2005 original planned station at the airport and retains the features and underground location of the original station. This modified option will save up to $330 million from the original design estimate for Phase 2 of the rail project .

Savings were obtained through engineering changes that include:

• A revised tunnel and station design.
• Reduced tunnel length and depth.
• Using a different construction method for excavation.
• Providing air conditioning from an existing airport facility.
• Moving the required electrical substation above ground.

In selecting the newly-designed underground option, Dulles Corridor Committee Chair Mame Reiley said, "This has been a very difficult decision for the Board as we tried to balance cost considerations with the goal to design an airport station that will serve the region’s travelers and airport employees well into the future. We think this option best achieves that goal."

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board may be reached at 703-417-8600 or at:
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board
c/o Quince Brinkley, Vice President and Secretary to the Board of Directors
1 Aviation Circle, Washington, D.C.  20001
Quince.Brinkley@mwaa.com (email)

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