For the past 10 months, the current Planning Commission has been working on a Countywide Transportation Plan update. The goal of the plan is to lay out a strategy for the orderly construction, maintenance and improvement of the transportation system.

There are radically different views on how to achieve that goal. We think Loudoun should prioritize solutions and infrastructure that would serve existing residents of Loudoun, such as missing links in east/west commuter corridors. Developers and highway builders, represented by groups like the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, wholeheartedly endorse new and wider roads all over the County. We don't think this is the right approach -- instead, the plan should prioritize projects that enhance, protect, and serve Loudoun's existing communities, using or building on existing infrastructure as much as possible.

Fixing Loudoun's transportation problems is an enormous undertaking, and it's not for the faint of heart. We'll keep you informed as to when and where the decisions are being made so that your voice can be heard.

How to Fix Transportation in Loudoun?
The plan recognizes that fixing our transportation system will take a broader set of strategies than just new and wider roads. However, because the plan doesn't have to consider financial constraints, it also includes exorbitantly expensive north-south bypasses and roads which would not help most Loudoun residents-- who overwhelmingly commute in an east/west pattern.

With State and Federal funding non-existent even to pay for good ideas, conditions are ripe for developers to dangle road proffers with their rezoning requests, and take advantage of the desire local officials have to meet the needs of their constituents. Generally the approved rezonings mean taxpayers suffer twice as much with increased taxes and increased traffic before the roads get built, and little tangible relief afterwards.

Ideas That Work and Ideas That Won't
When identifying projects to include in the plan, the County should prioritize projects which enhance, protect, and serve Loudoun's existing communities, using or building on existing infrastructure as much as possible. By managing resources creatively and efficiently, it is possible to provide effective improvements at a fraction of the cost of building brand new infrastructure.

We've started a list of projects which we think meet these criteria and are looking for your ideas to add to that list. Examples of our priority projects include:

• Incentivizing the broad variety of commuter and transit options included in the plan plus others such as bus/transit lanes, HOV lanes, and improved express bus service on major corridors. One good idea would be to create an education and marketing program to encourage bus ridership.
• Completing parallel east/west roads to Rt. 7 and Rt. 50 and local road interconnections to solve congestion problems such as Gloucester Parkway. And retrofitting existing parallel roads to make them safer and pedestrian-friendly, with a maximum of 4 lanes total (including bike lanes).
• Ensuring new roads and improvements to existing roads are designed as complete streets--that include sidewalks, bike lanes, and well-designed cross walks that would be safe and accessible to all pedestrians and cyclists--such as at Rt. 7 in Sterling.
  

These are just a few ideas. You can review more ideas and specific recommendations on the Campaign for Loudoun's Future Priority List.

Share your Thoughts on the Plan
A public hearing on the draft plan was held on October 29th, and the Planning Commission met again on Thursday, November 5th to discuss the plan. They are now reviewing VDOT's input and the public concerns expressed at the public hearing (many speakers objected to the inclusion of new oversized north-south roads both in the suburban and transition areas).

The Planning Commission will hold another worksession on November 17th at 6pm (in the Purcellville Room at the County Government Center) with the Board expected to review the plan in the spring. You can also write to the Planning Commission to share your thoughts on the draft plan.

For more information, please visit the Loudoun County website or call Gem Bingol, PEC at 703-431-6941.