Traffic Lights?

2-4 weeks for the light and then they'll have it flashing red in four directions for months no doubt.

 

There's alot that needs to be done ...

County needs to request light, find money in budget.
VDOT needs to sign off on design, this is where most of the time is spent. I believe the initial design needed to be redone.
County & VDOT needs to get ROW from HOA .. this was the easy part.
County needs to get on schedule of only local contractor that does this, another wait.

However, we're getting one ... at least

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

DOH ... stupid me ... trying to reuse threads !!

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

definitely understand there are a lot of steps and complexity...but that's exactly the point...think how long it took and how many steps for a simple stop light...and the fact that apparently there is only one local contractor to do this...

now think what it would be like if instead of a new stop light, you needed a new kidney, knee, lung, heart, etc...and you want the federal government managing that...no thanks! but thats another topic [:0]

 

You're right ... that has nothing to do with this, and trying to extrapolate how medical care would work from a county installing a traffic light is truly comparing apples and oranges.

FWIW ... they're also starting to install the pads and running cable chase for the Claiborne/Broadlands intersection lights.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I think the stop signs are fine for now... they seem to have controlled the piles of smouldering mini-vans at all of our intersections. But still, some people cannot comprehend the intricate workings of how to navigate a stop sign intersection, so maybe lights are the way to go 8)

 

I think they got expelled from Pre-K and never learned to take their turn

 

I personally find the busy 4-way stops very stressful. Not something I was expecting when I moved to outer suburbia. I admit that I am not the most attentive or organized person, but trying to keep track of the order in which possibly 6 other cars arrive at an intersection strains my capabilities. Plus you have to factor in the aggressiveness of other drivers (are they going to just go for it or wait forever?). Yay for stoplights. Too bad they aren't doing Ryan/Shellhorn or Broadlands/Claiborne first.

Pam D.

 

I find drivers at 4-way stops are polar opposites of the way most people around here drive in general. Everyone stares at one another, waiting for someone else to go first. I've never had a problem just stopping and going on ahead for the most part, and everyone else seems so relieved. It's really bizarre. The stop lights, however, will be welcome, even though it took 2 years to get them. Must be part of the slow growth issue. Good thing we don't need a sewer pump station or else we'd all have to flush every other time for at least a generation or so.

 

Actually, I think there are two types of drivers at 4-way stops:

1. "Sit and stare at the other driver, and then begin to go just as the other driver enters the intersection"

2. "Slow down to about 15 MPH, take a quick glance for a deputy's car, and then blow through the intersection, demonstrating the quick acceleration of the BMW"

 

Background (as I seem to remember) about the lights:

1. the light at Waxpool and Claiborne was not in the VDOT funding. As we know, VDOT is chronically underfunded for anything but huge highway upgrades as federal money is involved there. The county moved some money around to get this one funded (I believe the previous Dulles Supervisor had alot to do with this). The problems since then was in the permitting (VDOT and County), design, ROW clearances, and easements from the HOA.

2. the light at Claiborne and Broadlands was a muck up from the beginning, as Terrabrook dropped the ball, and it took a while to get someone to pick it back up again. Again, having to go thru the permitting process, as well as design OK, etc.

In both cases, its taken a few years. If the lights were included in the original plans for the road system in Broadlands, they would not have taken as long to get installed when needed. Witness the lights at the new Shell and strip mall on Waxpool, er Farmwell. The lights are in, they have not yet been authorized for turn on by VDOT, but they are up and ready to go when OK'd. And I suspect they were included in the county planning documents.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

I agree - why didnt they just design the shopping center to enter around the Ice House. That would have made a lot more sense and been one less light. Although a light every 20 yards is VDOT "planning"

 

neilz-
Actually VDOT was never in the funding stream for either light.
The Waxpool/Claiborne light was 75% Developer, 25% county. Broaldands/Claiborne was 100% Developer.

 

Aha ... so we're back to the developer again ... thanks Cliff, as I mentioned above "as I seem to remember" .. I guess that's what goes first ...

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Neil,

It doesn't look like this traffic light got installed and neither did the one at Broadlands/Claiborne.

Any updates on their status? I can't wait to hear who's pointing the finger at whom on these continuing delays and excuses.

Greg

 

FWIW ... the last time we talked to the developer about both lights, they said they will be finished prior to school starting.

Not much more to add than that.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Prior to school starting which year?

 

I like that one !!

We did ask that too .. .they said this year !! Well, they've got 27 or so days left !!



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

EXACTLY! It's always by such and such a month BUT never a year! Or "by the end of next month" works also, if each month you repeat the phrase...