1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Urgent! PLEASE Vote on the safety of the Demott/Waxpool Intersection

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by BigDog, Jul 7, 2018.

?

What should be done with the Demott / Waxpool intersection?

  1. Install a traffic light

    27.4%
  2. Close the median

    53.4%
  3. Do nothing and take our chances

    19.2%
  1. BigDog

    BigDog Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2003
    Messages:
    172
    Likes Received:
    9
    As a 20 year Broadlands resident, I am hoping my fellow Broadlands residents will join together to fix a dangerous traffic intersection in our community.

    There have been 25 accidents at this intersection over the past 3 years - someone will likely get seriously hurt or killed.

    The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is reviewing safety concerns at the intersection of Demott Dr and Waxpool Rd in light of the frequency of car accidents at that location. Considerations include possible closure of the median so that traffic is restricted to right turn in/right turn out only, installing a traffic light or no action.

    I live near this intersection and drive through it every day. I personally have been in touch with our supervisor, Ron Meyer regarding this dangerous intersection for 2 years.

    Several VDOT studies were done, and according to Ron Meyers staff (July 2017):
    "we received the information below from VDOT this afternoon. It appears that their study of the Demott/Waxpool intersection will warrant a traffic signal."


    But, now we are hearing that there are no plans for a light at this intersection.

    I will also send Ron a link to this poll to provide additional feedback.

    If you have feelings regarding what should or should not be done, please contact Ron Meyer's office at Ron.Meyer@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0204.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. ASB929

    ASB929 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2018
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    10
    I just want to add that those that vote to close this intersection likely aren't seeing the big picture. If this busy intersection is closed, imagine how many more accidents will happen with people either going to the Waxpool/Claiborne intersection and making U-turns or going up to the end of the median at the Greenway overpass and making U-turns. That's a blind hill and people come up over it going fast. Closing the intersection will also make access to the Summerbrooke pool, Aldi shopping center and Harris Teeter shopping centers harder for many residents. Not to mention the fact that the first responders from the Moorefield Station use this intersection almost daily (I know, I hear them!) if they couldn't go straight across or turn left here - how is that going to impact their response times?! Not good if you're the one waiting on their help. Closing that intersection will basically divide our community in half and I'm not OK with that.

    Yes, it's a light close to another light but I think it's needed for the safety of our community.
     
    pra2464, Mr. Linux and dbrow like this.
  3. Excelsior

    Excelsior Southern Walk||IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO||

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2014
    Messages:
    332
    Likes Received:
    84
    Having a traffic light practically in your back yard isn't all that great. Blocking the intersection means a bunch of right turns. Is there really that much "through traffic" from Broadlands Blvd to Mooreview?

    I recall Supervisor Meyer saying that this is a through route to the metro so that factors somehow into the planning.

    If there is a light, people who live near the area I circled will hear constant racing, revving, loud exhausts, and bass pumping just like I do right behind me from that new light on Claiborne.
    int.JPG
     
  4. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2002
    Messages:
    5,281
    Likes Received:
    344
    One potential downside to a traffic light there:
    Demott is a straight shot into the new Ashburn Metro Stop. A light there will make it easy for drivers going to Metro to use Demott from Broadlands Blvd straight into Metro.
    This could lead to a significant increase in cut-through traffic.
    With no light there, traffic will use Claiborne instead.
    Just a thought.
     
    JTC likes this.
  5. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,430
    Likes Received:
    148
    I voted to close the intersection due to the fact that the pass through traffic (from outside of the neighborhood) often speed through to get to Broadlands Blvd. and vice versa. To suggest this would divide our community is quite a stretch. Yes, U-turns at Summerbrooke could be dangerous because of the blind hill and (speeding.) That issue can be addressed with no U-turn signage. Allow U-turns at the lights on Claiborne and Waxpool. Better yet, lower the speed limit. There are so many alternate routes and it's not like you have to drive an extra mile to bypass it - more like 2/10th of a mile, if that. There are many ways to mitigate excessive traffic and noise but the number one priority should be to lessen the impact through residential neighborhoods and reduce accidents.
     
    sri_n, BarnesFamily and JTC like this.
  6. Excelsior

    Excelsior Southern Walk||IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO||

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2014
    Messages:
    332
    Likes Received:
    84
    How about a traffic circle? Probably expensive, but solves almost all other issues. We could even landscape the center as a welcoming message to Broadlands. We could take that fountain sign over near Old Ryan Rd that doesn't even seem to coincide with Broadlands and move it. Wishful thinking or an impressive gateway? You don't want a traffic light. Trust me.
     
    JTC likes this.
  7. BarnesFamily

    BarnesFamily Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2016
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    10
    We actually live in the neighborhood off Demott and agree with closing the intersection. All the neighbors Ive talked to agree with this as well. We already have too much cut through traffic on Demott anyway, especially with the childrens pool. Claiborne runs parallel and is a major road.
     
    WillieC likes this.
  8. Liss

    Liss New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2009
    Messages:
    54
    Likes Received:
    4
    I am curious why, if the traffic study determined that it warrants a light, was it then determined that no light would be installed?
     
  9. PP-Power

    PP-Power Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2015
    Messages:
    61
    Likes Received:
    21
    I agree with no light. People sh0uldn't need to go down that stretch of road from Broadlands Blvd unless they live there, are visiting someone, or going to the pool, especially as Claiborne basically parallels this road at a higher speed. Closing the intersection is the best route.
     
    WillieC and BarnesFamily like this.
  10. peddler

    peddler Peddler

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2003
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    4
    Please do NOT close the intersection. Please put up a light - it's been needed for years. I have lived in that oldest section of Broadlands off Demott for 22 years and closing the intersection to force the residents who live in the SFHs and town homes to go either turn right on Waxpool to get to Claiborne or do U turns or go much further up to Broadlands Blvd will be a terrible inconvenience for us and essentially wall us off from anyone else and makes what is now an easy trip to Harris Teeter much more complicated. I see that other people have the same thoughts. What's one more stop light around here for safety and access?
     
  11. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,430
    Likes Received:
    148
    I am surprised someone residing in that neighborhood would opt for more noise, through traffic, and speeding. The first priority is to mitigate the volume of traffic especially if the plans for 200 more apartments and a school get approved in that land swap.
     
    BarnesFamily likes this.
  12. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2002
    Messages:
    5,281
    Likes Received:
    344
    That's my concern....when Metro opens and a school is built there, Demott will become a significant cut-through if a light is installed.
     
  13. peddler

    peddler Peddler

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2003
    Messages:
    38
    Likes Received:
    4
    Plenty of traffic on Demott already, since I take my walks there nearly every night, so what's a little more noise? The sirens of the new fire house down by the Green Way and the noise of the Green Way itself are much worse, and we already have the noise of Claiborne in our back yard that we've become used to over the years (except for the Saturday night street racers and crotch rocket motorcycles). (I do remember the tranquil times when Claiborne didn't exist and the town homes on the south side of Waxpool were a field and a baseball diamond.) All are way worse than a few more people on Demott. Plus I am starting to lose my hearing so it's not as noticeable anyway... As for speeding, the Loudoun sheriff department regularly sets up speed traps and has plenty of ticketed customers (makes me smile there IS justice in the world). Those plans for more apartments have been plans for years as has the school/university. I don't see any movement on that any time soon. As for Metro, without a light, Demott becomes a direct route for me to go straight down the street keeping my noise on the eastern edge of Broadlands, rather than spread my vehicle's noise, burning gas, and pollution running around the heart of Broadlands to get to the Metro terminus.
     
  14. BarnesFamily

    BarnesFamily Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2016
    Messages:
    35
    Likes Received:
    10
    Plenty of traffic on Demott already, since I take my walks there nearly every night, so what's a little more noise?
    - Youre right. It sucks right now, why try to fix it? Lets just make it worse. You take your walks near Demott, do you actually live off Demott?

    Plus I am starting to lose my hearing so it's not as noticeable anyway...
    - Sorry you are losing your hearing, but that only affects you. Think of your neighbors who do still have their hearing.

    As for speeding, the Loudoun sheriff department regularly sets up speed traps and has plenty of ticketed customers (makes me smile there IS justice in the world).
    - Is this a joke? Plenty of discussion on this board about the speeding on Demott and the lack of response from Loudoun sheriff. Ive never seen anyone pulled over.

    As for Metro, without a light, Demott becomes a direct route for me to go straight down the street keeping my noise on the eastern edge of Broadlands, rather than spread my vehicle's noise, burning gas, and pollution running around the heart of Broadlands to get to the Metro terminus.
    - What??
     
    WillieC and PP-Power like this.
  15. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,260
    Likes Received:
    34
    Traffic circles! They're slowly gaining some ground around here, but it's a very slow pace. That new Willowsford subdivision between us and 50 has a handful of them.. pretty nice!
     
  16. stoner

    stoner Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2006
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    29
    Agree on traffic circle! Perfect situation- one road with dominant traffic and the other with much lower usage, allows everyone to move through without inefficiency of light.
     
  17. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    MD has embraced it... for some reason.. VA still spends years and millions putting up traffic lights on roads that are only busy 4hrs a day...
     
  18. JJB

    JJB Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2006
    Messages:
    230
    Likes Received:
    32
    I vote to close the intersection. It doesnt make sense to have two traffic signals within a couple hundred yards of one another on Waxpool. The amount of traffic through that intersection doesnt warrant the expense of a traffic circle. Close the intersection and be done with it.
     
    AutmwdResident likes this.
  19. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2002
    Messages:
    5,281
    Likes Received:
    344
    I'm pretty sure there isn't enough ground there for a traffic circle. But it may be doable. Broadlands HOA and Van Metre would probably have to give up some of their property if it could fit at all.
     
  20. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,430
    Likes Received:
    148
    That may work in theory but it does not address the traffic volume of pass through traffic in the neighborhood.
     
    WillieC likes this.

Share This Page