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Broadlands Blvd Old Wood Way Reconfiguration Section 104

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by TomH, Jan 19, 2017.

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Should Old Wood Way be made a right-turn-only exit onto Broadlands Blvd?

Poll closed Feb 16, 2017.
  1. Yes

    4 vote(s)
    40.0%
  2. No

    6 vote(s)
    60.0%
  1. TomH

    TomH New Member

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    A significant development occurred regarding the the construction in Broadlands Section 104 (east of Clydes, north west of Broadlands Blvd at Claiborne), particularly for residents on Hidden Pond Place and Small Branch Place.

    Supervisor Randall recommended and is fighting to make Old Wood Way a right-turn exit only, eliminating the ability to turn left on Broadlands Blvd toward Clydes and 659. Discussion included making the median continuous at this location, forcing the issue. Either way, residents would have to turn right on Broadlands Blvd, then make a U-turn at Broadlands/Claiborne, or exit via Small Branch, turn right on Claiborne, make a U-turn at Claiborne/Vestals Gap, then turn left on to Broadlands Blvd. The concept is ridiculous.

    At the most recent Transportation and Land Use Committee meeting, Randall indicated she's doing this because of input from one resident concerned about traffic in the neighborhood. She stated she'll vote against Section 104 modifications unless this is done, i.e. she's forcing Van Metre/Broadlands Associates to comply with her preference.

    I appreciate the concern about traffic in our neighborhood, but it is unfounded. Our neighborhood street configuration doesn't encourage traffic on Hidden Pond and Old Wood Way. The only people that would use this route are residents on those streets, possibly a few from Springwell Drive. I can't imagine traffic would increase drastically from current use just to get to the planned storage facility and grocery store planned for Section 104.

    Other residents on Hidden Pond and Small Branch that use Old Wood Way to get to Clyde's and 659 need to make your voices heard. You can attend and speak up at the Board meeting or send email to:

    Ron.Meyer@loudoun.gov Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov Ralph.Buona@loudoun.gov Suzanne.Volpe@loudoun.gov Tony.Buffington@loudoun.gov Geary.Higgins@loudoun.gov Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov bos@loudoun.gov

    The decision will likely occur at the Board of Supervisors meeting on 23 February. I've already emailed the Board of Supervisors stating this action is unwarranted and causes a convoluted/complex route for residents. My first email was ignored, so I sent a second and I plan to attend the Board's meeting to ensure they get the point that not all residents agree with whoever contacted Supervisor Randall.

    Please vote on this topic here. I'm willing to discuss further here, on the phone, or in person.

    Tom Holz
     
  2. vawahoo

    vawahoo New Member

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    Hi Tom,
    Thank you for posting on this topic, however the option you've described is not one currently under consideration. I attended the the recent BOS public hearing in December, and TLUC meeting on January 13th where the discussions have been focused specifically on the Van Metre Drive side of this intersection. The concern about the free flow of traffic for the neighborhood to and from Old Wood is understood; this is why Supervisor Meyer and Chair Randall are pushing to make Van Metre Drive a right in right out only on the north side of the street (using something such as a concrete triangle or plastic markers on that side of the intersection). This would not affect the flow of traffic on Old Wood, other than to prevent going straight across from Old Wood into Van Metre Drive to enter or exit the new development. One would still be able to turn left form Broadlands Blvd onto Old Wood, and vice versa.

    On the other hand without this restriction on Van Metre Drive, we would have a completely unsafe, uncontrolled intersection with traffic going in every direction, cut through traffic, etc. There will be significant new traffic at this intersection with the new Lidl grocery store, Royal Farms gas/convenience and office buildings. There will be a right-in to the development from Claiborne but the only exits are on Broadlands Blvd. Until the intersection meets VDOT’s signal warrants, which could take years, something needs to be done to increase safety and prevent a dangerous intersection, which already has poor sight lines around the curve and a 45 mph speed limit.
     
  3. TomH

    TomH New Member

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    vawahoo and I discussed this off-line and have different perspectives on what Supervisor Randall indicated at the Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC) on 13 Jan. You can watch it for yourself (http://loudoun.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=69&clip_id=4746 about 38 minutes in) and draw your own conclusion. I've also contact Supervisor Randall's office and am waiting on a call back to verify her position. I'll report back with what her office tells me.

    I agree with vawahoo that until there is a traffic signal at Broadlands and Old Wood Way, the increased traffic could be unsafe, and it's likely to be measured in years.

    vawahoo and I differ on the amount of increased traffic through the housing area (Hidden Pond Place, Small Branch, Springwell) to from Section 104 businesses and, in turn, whether traffic should be allowed to cross from Old Wood Way over to Van Meter Drive (section 104). Makes it important to vote here or let the Loudoun Board of Supervisors know your thoughts!
     
  4. vawahoo

    vawahoo New Member

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    If anyone is watching the video, also view the discussion around 1:17:50 where Supervisor Meyer states that 'I don't think anyone is considering closing off the median'. Also Chair Randall clearly states her position and request for a right-in right-out on Van Metre Drive at 1:30 through 1:32. The earlier comment at 38 minutes that Tom references came during the staff presentation portion of the agenda and may not have been as precise, as further discussion was withheld until after the applicant made their presentation.
     
  5. linzh7

    linzh7 New Member

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    As a resident of Hidden Pond place with small children I have a TON of concerns with nothing being done about the traffic flow at Old Wood Way. When we bought we were told the area across the street was just zoned for office space which would result in much less traffic than a grocery store, and gas station. Currently there are 16 houses on this street that have AT LEAST one child under the age of three living there. Any given day when the weather is nice, you will see kids out using the cul de sac to ride bikes and play. I witness people coming off of Old Wood at excessive speed, looking at their phones, and making u turns on an almost weekly basis. I've seen small children run out into that very intersection chasing balls or running to say hi to a friend without looking. As parents we always do our best to keep our kids in safe situations, but sometimes things still happen and kids don't think of the danger of cars. People drive up and down our street well over the speed limit daily. We don't need the extra hazard. I think of the tragic accident in Lansdown that happened this past fall, and how easily something like that could happen on my street if something isn't done to stop it.
     
  6. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    If this greatly concerns you, you can always alert LOCO Sheriffs and they can send an officer down to observe but they won't stay for long as they have other things to do. Its gonna be very hard to get this done what you want and I have often wished to have speed bumps put on a street that I live on but they won't do it due to snow plows which I think is bunk.
     

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