Rush Hour Traffic

Very few families taking vacations and lots of stay home parents during the summer going back to work.

 

My daughter attends Hillside ES and is considered a walker. We would have liked to have the option of her riding the school bus, but apparently we live too close to the school (though others who seemingly live a similar distance in a different direction are considered bus riders ). We try to walk to school as often as possible, but it isn't always feasible (i.e. weather conditions, running late, etc).

 

THere are a lot of high schoolers driving to school as well......

 

Don't think HSers cause traffic issues as they are "local" only and generally do not travel on the major artieries.

HSers are not going to generate more traffic on Waxpool/28/Greenway/Toll Rd where the backups are EXTREMELY bad after school starts.

 

I would say that for Loudoun HS, but I grew up in Franklin Farm and went to Oakton HS, which was 15 miles away. It was back roads or 66.

I also think it makes the neighborhood roads bad because of school start times in relation to rush hour.

Regardless, the longest part of my commute is from my house to the Toll Road. There are not enough “arteries” leading to the main roads. It’s frustrating, but even more for my spouse who commutes to AOL from the Broadlands and it takes him 20-30 minutes!

I'm also sick and tired of the line cutters on Loundoun County Parkway onto Waxpool. DON'T LET THEM IN!

 

I am pretty sure that the summer decrease in traffic is because 10-15% of people are probably on vacation in the summer at any given time. Add that to the teachers who are not on the roads (say 2-3% of all workers). High Schoolers may have a little effect on local roads, but probably not long range (the herndon to Oakton High School 15 mile commute s a bit of an anomoly.

 

Sorry guys - I MUST disagree -

I live across from the Eagle Ridge comples, I SEE the backups during school year - lines of cars with ONE driver and ONE student. I've seen the cars at SBHS - ONE student or ONE driver & ONE student.

FGS - do we not have a bus system????

 

Traffic this week has not been too bad . Don't get me wrong I certainly would not want to drive in it everyday.

Interesting the worst part of my drive to rt 50 east of fairfax city is in Loudoun both waxpool and 28.

Once in fairfax it is smooth sailing. The fairfax county parkway is the nicest part of the drive. Hmmmm wonder why??? I know there is no cheap a### prison buildings no wall to wall retail. Just a nice tree lined rd from Franklin farms to rt 50. Well I guess if you plan development right the traffic also becomes pleasant.

Hmmmm our latest developers and some politicians have not learned that lesson in Loudoun yet. Will we call Loudoun County parkway a pleasant drive once it is overloaded with retail. I wonder how Snows plan to cover rt 50 with retail and big box stores is going to improve that commute or make it into a pleasant dr??????? hmmmm . I remember when in Houston they would build a beautiful pud then save the land in front on the larger arteries and after the homes were built cover the entrances with tons of cheap a**** retail and prisons.

I am seeing some of that here and boy does the rt 50 corridor look ripe for that type of development. Just cover the front of South riding with retail and office as well as some of the other puds. Just like Texas only the names change. Funny thing this area looks a lot like parts of Houston with the trees and all just a bit more hilly here and a longer winter with a bit of snow. As Houston bulldozed the trees down so did the beauty get replaced with twigs and cheap development in many instances. Funny thing the wealthier areas usually got the better restaurants and retail. Good sign of what retailers really thing of where you live is by the mix they put in there over and over. How many targets and walmarts and best buys lowes do we need. Where is the true high end retailers and restaurants????? Loudoun is becoming chain retail heaven. Where are the Brambleton town centers and surroundings and of course the quality restaurants like "Anothai" with incredible personal service.

OK as I get my involved in the real estate market here the more I will push and be vocal for developing LOudoun the way it should be, and with some common sense. Thank God I don't have the baggage that comes with politics and public service. Nice thing about real estate all of the DC area especially northern Virginia becomes your home and you want your home to be built with respect and quality and look good and be a good neighbor whether it is inexpensive or very expensive all real estate needs to be a good neighbor.

Lee j

Lee j