Coalition for Smarter Growth and Piedmont Environmental Council

For Immediate Release:
July 23, 2010

Contact:
Stewart Schwartz, CSG, 703-599-6437
Gem Bingol, PEC, 703-431-6941

“Loudoun is in need of new solutions for traffic,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.  Last night, at a forum hosted by Supervisor Kelly Burk and attended by other Loudoun Supervisors, business leaders, and community members, the nationally recognized transportation expert Ian Lockwood and his associate Fabian De La Espriella, offered new ideas and solutions for the county.

Ian is known for having designed the highly successful Gilberts Corner roundabouts (Route 50 and Route 15) and the Route 50 traffic calming project.  In Northern Virginia this week to work on transportation design for a private developer’s project, Ian and Fabian donated their time to the Loudoun community. 

Understanding Loudoun’s suburban character, Lockwood focused the presentation on suburban examples from several different regions where traffic congestion has negatively impacted communities and their economy.  “Ian has already shown how we can save money, solve traffic problems and preserve our beautiful rural landscapes through the success of his roundabout project,” said Gem Bingol of the Piedmont Environmental Council.  “Instead of a very expensive four lane highway and a massive interchange at Route 50 and 15, we have eliminated congestion through relatively low cost roundabouts.”  Longstanding one-mile backups have disappeared since the roundabouts were installed.

Ian focused his presentation on the essential role of local interconnected street networks.  He demonstrated how large arterial highways and never-ending widening have failed us. “At its core, Ian’s presentation showed that local interconnected streets carry more vehicles in a more pedestrian friendly environment than the arterial roads we build today,” said Schwartz.

While large highways divide neighborhoods and negatively impact existing businesses, pedestrian-friendly streets with on-street parking have helped to increase retail business success and connect communities.  Children can cross streets that are narrower and safer.  They can walk and bike to school again.  And, traditional malls are being replaced with “main street” style shopping along ample sidewalks.

“We simply don’t have the money for the vast highway expansion called for in the Loudoun CTP, and yet, we have many current traffic challenges.  Ian’s approach offers cost-effective solutions that we can apply in the near term,” said Schwartz.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth and Piedmont Environmental Council helped to facilitate the meeting.  “We want to foster an ongoing discussion about Loudoun transportation and implementation of some pilot projects, working with community members, business leaders and government officials,” concluded Bingol.

Ian Lockwood is a Principal with AECOM and is available at Ian.Lockwood@aecom.com

www.aecom.com

For further information on the presentation or to view it, contact Gem Bingol: 703-431-6941.