Proposed North/South

The following was sent to me by several friends in Brambleton. I am not sure about the direct impact to Broadlands or Southernwalk at Broadlands, but I think it's a worthwhile read and a good idea to monitor the situation.

My understanding after speaking to the Brambleton GM, is this proposed "limited use corridor" already has an approved plan (#3 listed on the picture attached). However VDOT wants to potentially move the limited cargo corridor which would bi-sect a large portion of Brambleton and it could impact traffic in Broadlands (especially Southernwalk) byincreased heavy cargo trucks. Below is the email/communication sent to all Brambleton residents, it is unedited/changed:

IMPORTANT North-South Corridor Update –
BCA Board Acts to Oppose Proposed Limited Access Highway in Brambleton - Please read and consider action by 2/6/2013 DEADLINE!

Dear Brambleton Resident:

At yesterday's meeting, the Brambleton Community Association Board of Directors took action to formally oppose VDOT’s transportation Alternative 2 that would construct a limited-access highway through the southern boundaries of Brambleton for the primary purpose of transporting cargo to and from the Dulles Airport. The Board took this action because they feel that the construction of this highway will have long lasting and negative impacts on our community. They urge all residents to become familiar with the subject and take appropriate action. Time is of the essence and your opinion on VDOT’s location study and proposed limited-access highway through Brambleton is needed prior to the FEBRUARY 6, 2013 deadline.

Issue:
VDOT has initiated a Location Study for the proposed Dulles Air, Cargo, Passenger, and Metro Access Highway located between John Mosby Highway (Route 50) and the Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606), “for the purpose of enhancing the movement of people, passenger services and air cargo traffic to Dulles International Airport” by constructing a limited–access highway on the west side of the airport in order to provide access for a not-yet-existing air cargo facility at Dulles Airport. This study has three options: no-build, Alternative 2 (Brambleton option), and Alternative 3 (Rt 50 option).

Concerns for the Alternative 2 (Brambleton option):
1. The VDOT proposed Alternative 2 route places a major limited access highway within Brambleton boundaries: reducing property values, increasing noise related to truck traffic, negatively impacting the environment and changing future planned use for the parcels within the study area. A limited-access highway within Brambleton is not desired nor is it appropriate for our community.

2. VDOT will need to acquire or affect over 1,000 acres of property to build the Alternative 2 option. The BCA Board believes that VDOT should focus their study to the existing right-of-ways along Route 50 (already planned as a limited access road) and on the airport property for which the road will serve.

3. The roads being considered are limited-access. “Limited-access” means that it will serve limited local traffic; its primary purpose is to increase truck traffic transporting cargo to/from the airport. The road will not serve local traffic or improve/address local traffic issues. The BCA Board believes that the limited-access highway being proposed will have no positive affect on local traffic issues.

4. Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) has announced Brambleton as their top site for a new Loudoun County campus. The proposed Alternative 2 route negatively impacts the NVCC site. A campus, such as this will have a positive impact on the community and greater region. The Alternative 2 route has the potential of eliminating this future campus site.

5. Brambleton’s Board has significant concern for the fact that VDOT advertised their public information meeting during the holiday season and held it in a building that did not meet the ADA needs of our residents or the greater community. The timing of the public notice was during the holiday season and was overlooked by many as a result. The meeting was held on the second floor of the Arcola Firehouse, a building with no elevators or other ADA accommodations. The BCA Board requests that VDOT hold another meeting that is effectively advertised and at a location that can accommodate the ADA needs of its residents.

How to Get Involved Today:

Email comments today to: meeting_comments@vdot.virginia[/I][I].gov
Please reference “Improving Access to Dulles Airport” in the subject line.

Please cc: bos@loudoun.gov; John.Muse@VDOT.Virginia.gov; Tom.Fahrney@VDOT.Virginia.gov; hoa@Brambleton.org

Other actions BCA is taking include:
• Sending correspondence to County and State officials on BCA opposition.
• Establishing a page on the community website with related information.
• Establishing an Ad-hoc Committee.
• Future emails to residents as updates or as information becomes available.

Your help in preventing this new location alignment is needed. Please write the Loudoun County BOS and let them know you are not in favor of a route that will negatively impact Brambleton. Residents may also copy the points outlined in this letter and attach to your email. PLEASE DON’T DELAY AND SEND YOUR EMAIL TODAY!

Sincerely,
Richard Stone PCAM, LSM
General Manager, On Behalf of the BCA Board of Directors
Brambleton Community Association

 

I am in complete agreement that using 50 to access Dulles is the better route, but I do have a couple of questions:

In what way does Alternative 2 bisect Brambleton? To "bisect" means to divide into 2 equal parts, and Alternative 2 just skirts the very southern boundary of Brambleton and remains south of the Broad Run floodplain.

Also, how does a limited access road for trucks coming from the south, located near the intersection of Belmont Ridge and Evergreen Mills, lead to increased heavy truck traffic in Broadlands?

Lastly, has VDOT explained its rationale for Alternative 2 instead of Alternative 3? They may have very good reasons (then again, they might not).

Again, I think 50 is the better option, but I just want to make sure I understand why Broadlands should be as concerned as Brambleton.

 

Nadir - you're right, I used the word bisect incorrectly. I informed that Willowsford was part of Brambleton and it's not. Sorry for the wrong application of the word & unintended confusion, my bad.

I agree that #3 is probably the best solution, since the right of ways have already been approved & a VDOT study has been conducted.

As for #2: I would be very curious to see what (if any impact) it would have on Claiborne/Croson/Belmont Ridge. When I met with VDOT last Summer, to address the issue of the 4-way stop on Claiborne, they informed me Claiborne would punch out to Gum Spring and mentioned these roads (Claiborne, Croson, North Star & Belmont Ridge) would be primary feeders to the "limited corridor". Later on in the discussion, VDOT brought up Belmont and the 3 Potomac river crossing and I was lead to believe that Belmont would also be used as a main arterial road for access to the cargo corridor.

It could be that none of this will impact Broadlands, but I think we should monitor it and take head to Brambleton's HOA's concerns. It's better to be informed (and well informed with accurate info) so you can formulate an educated position.

 

Here is the Dec 27, 2012 "official" VDOT North/South Corridor Letter that was sent to the Brambleton HOA (sorry it just arrived in my email in-box)

It's a worthwhile read and provides a (somewhat unbiased) base line, purpose and history of "Northern Virginia North-South Corridor"

 

No worries at all. I'm no grammar or vocabulary policeman, so I certainly meant no malice in my response. Apologies if it came across that way. Just wanted to find out if that was the way Brambleton described Alternative 2.

Your second attachment is a good read, so thanks for posting it. On page 5 (page 3 of the handout), I am very curious to know how they developed their employment growth projections. If I am reading the map at the top of the page correctly, between now and 2040, 34,000 new jobs will be created in an area bounded by Route 50 to the south, LC Pkwy and Claiborne to the east, the Potomac River to the north, and Belmont Ridge Road to the west.

Does that sound right to anyone else?

 

Nadir - I agree with your point on the estimated job growth number, it's rather aggressive and I can't locate anything in the Biz Dvlp sales pipeline (for the State of VA, PWC or Loudoun) that would support that projected number.

It also appears to me the North-South corridor is only a portion of the greater Tri-County Parkway, VA State Road 411 project (dubbed the PWC & LC outerbeltway). In order to get the full picture, people have to go the following agency websites: VDOT's, CTB's and OIPI's

That said I messaged you the VTrans 2035 file (it's too large to upload to this thread) it's dated Jan 2013. This attachment drills down the Tri-County Pkwy and how the "limited" cargo hwy is a portion of the larger project.

 

A cooperative conservation coalition will be holding a Community meeting to night 6:30-8:30pm, John Champe HS, Aldie VA.

This Commnity meeting will be hosted by, PEC, Aldie Historical Society & PWC Conservation.

More details o tonight's meeting can be found via the following link: http://www.pecva.org/events/community-meeting-on-the-proposed-outer-beltway

 

PEC opposes it. what a shock.