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Car accident at Ridgeway and Claiborne Pkwy

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Merlin, Aug 16, 2012.

  1. Merlin

    Merlin New Member

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    Anyone know what's up with the accident at the intersection? Looks like it happened around 6:15PMish. There were 2 fire trucks and a couple of cop cars plus a smashed up car beyond the intersection going south and an overturned van. Hopefully everyone is ok!
     
  2. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Yes, a BMW traveling Southbound on Claiborne blew the stop sign. His car struck a Honda MiniVan's that was almost through the intersection. The mini-van driver had appropriately stopped (she was on Wynridge crossing over Claiborne), when the BMW struck her car (on the rear passenger side) which caused it to flip over on it's driver's side.

    The mini van driver appeared to be okay, she was talking and responsive. The BMW driver sustained zero injuries, while the victim was taken the the hospital via ambulance. I have to say "kudos" to the lifeguards at the Southernwalk pool, who rushed to the scene of the accident.

    My husband and I (live near this intersection) and were on our back patio and witnessed the whole thing. We truly thought there would be significant injuries. Thankfully there were not. The sound of the impact(s) sounded like a bomb went off and most of my neighbors on our street came out of their homes because of the noise from this accident.

    I would urge the Broadlands HOA, members of the Board of Supervisors & residents to contact VDOT and request that VDOT post advanced warning signs: 4-Way stop ahead etc. And ask VDOT to reassign this portion of Claiborne Pkwy to 45MPH. Claiborne beyond Turro Parrish is considered 55MPH, because it is a 4 lane divided highway with no posted speed limit. We have witnesses 3 major accidents, but nearly everyday we witness North/South bound traffic on Claiborne run the stop signs.

    For our neighbors who cross over Claiborne at this intersection, I would urge to please do the 3 second count before proceeding through the intersection.
     

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  3. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    I had previously called VDOT twice about the signage issues.......no response.
    I've now contacted the Developer as well as Supervisor Williams about this. Maybe they will have better luck.
     
  4. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    I neglected to provide contact information for VDOT. For those Broadland residents who want to contact VDOT and voice your concern about this intersection:

    VDOT District Field Office Phone 703-383-868 (this is a general number), full contact information can be found via VDOT website, I have provided the exact link:

    http://virginiadot.org/about/nova_quick.asp

    It appears the VDOT administrator for Loudoun County is listed as Steven Shannon, his direct email is:

    steven.shannon@vdot.virginia.gov

    I would encourage as many residents as possible contact VDOT. The more people who voice their concern, the more likely VDOT will respond to the Community's concern.
     
  5. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    UPDATE:

    Well that was pretty darn fast. I received a call and email from VDOT's traffic and safety department. They also assigned my inquiry a work order number and plan to schedule a follow up visit with me. Maybe it was a picture or the content of my email that had several State & County representatives cc'd.

    Either way, will continue to advocate on behalf of the Community until VDOT addresses this intersection safety concerns.
     
  6. decalr

    decalr Member

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    Well Done!
     
  7. soccerdudes

    soccerdudes New Member

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    I just sent Mr. Shannon an email requesting attention to this matter as well as to the area on Ridgeway Dr. where children cross in the morning to school across from Mapleton Ct. The bike path there also dumps directly onto the street and we have witnessed several children almost get hit by cars.
     
  8. jerseyhokie

    jerseyhokie Member

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    Happy to hear more sigs may be posted since I have seen several people blow right through that 4-way stop. I live in the townhouse development at that intersection and it scares me especially walking my dog and kids riding bikes.
     
  9. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Soccerdudes:

    I would recommend completing the Sheriff's Office form & contacting the Loudoun County Public Schools, (they manage the School Cross walk) for the issue you detailed. I could be wrong, but VDOT has very little jurisdiction over the issue you detailed.

    Here is the link:
    http://loudoun.vhost.vipnet.org/sheriff/complaint.htm

    In the past the Sheriff's office has been VERY responsive when citizens take the time to fill out the on-line form. Especially with school starting in a few weeks, I know the Sheriff's office ramps up their patrols. Hope the info I provided is helpful to you and others.
     
  10. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Supervisor Williams will also contact VDOT about this. If we all stay on this, maybe some changes will finally be made.
    The Developer said to contact VDOT.
     
  11. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    I contacted Supervisor Williams (as well as Tag Greeson, Senator Herring and a few others). VDOT sent me the following email regarding the developer (this is about reducing the speed limit from 55MPG to 45 etc), see blue text below.

    I need someone else to contact Van Metre. Please verify if Van Metre conducted the required VDOT speed study and what speed limit did they state to VDOT when they turned over control to VDOT.

    Obviously I do not have a working relationship with Van Metre (after the Annual HOA Meeting stunt, which prevented me from serving on the BHOA - even though the residents elected me) and they would be unlikely to help me if I requested info, even though this will help our Community at large.

    "I am writing to say I would be happy to meet you and Ms name redacted on site and discuss your concerns and develop an action plan to address them. I would also like to inform you when we accept a section of roadway from the developer we typically require they perform a speed study. I will research our records and determine if we have a study for this section and inform you of the approved speed limit when we meet."

     
  12. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    I hope VDOT gets their act together and get something done with this intersection and I also hope that VM doesn't just drop the ball (or even pass it along to some other hapless agency or whatever just to avoid dealing with it) BEFORE someone does SERIOUSLY get injured or even killed at this intersection. People NEED to UNDERSTAND that a STOP sign equals STOP...not slow down and then speed up to go across the intersection or even blow by the signs. There are lives in the balance when driving through the intersection!






     
  13. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Already thought Claiborne was 45 mph through Broadlands?
     
  14. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    To me, this is the real issue. Put up signs, adjust speed limits and whatever else but you just can't regulate stupidity and carelessness.

    Still, I hope something is done to help!
     
  15. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    Nope, beyond Turro Parrish where Claiborne ends at Corson, it defaults to 55mph.

    The State considers this portion of Claiborne a 4 lane unmarked (mph) divided highway. VDOT does not have a signage to indicate the MPH. Claiborne has marked shoulders on each side of the roadway and is divided by a median.

    I too thought it was 45, until a former Planning Commissioner corrected me and VDOT verified that this portion is in fact 55mph.
     
  16. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Claiborne Parkway was turned over to VDOT a few years ago. Any required speed study would have to already be in VDOT's hands or they wouldn't have accepted the road.
    Also, VDOT sets the speed limits regardless of what a Developer would set them at. For example, the Developer reduced Broadlands Blvd. from 45mph to 35mph due to residents concerns. When VDOT accepted the road, they promptly put up 45 mph signs. They forgot to remove one of the 35 mph signs, which is confusing. I've called a few times about this as well, but have been ignored (gee, what a surprise).
    VDOT also raised Claiborne Parkway from Waxpool to the Greenway from 40 mph to 45 mph when they accepted it from the Developer.
    When VDOT responds with their reports and shows that the road may be "speed rated" for 55mph, hopefully they will realize that it should be 45mph. If not, we (the community) may need to convince them to lower it to 45mph. Hopefully it won't come to that.
     
  17. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Cliff, what I'm afraid of is that it may take a serious car accident/injury/death to CONVINCE VDOT that the idiotic speed limit of 45/55 needs to be lowered and to have a light installed at our intersection. IF that doesn't do it, I don't know what else would convince them beyond our neighborhood community rising up to VDOT.

     
  18. beahmer

    beahmer Member

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    The problem is NOT the speed on the roads its the idiots who don't know what that RED stop sign means. This included the ones who act like they have never been at a 4-Way stop in their life. There is no one in the Ashburn area who doesn't have to go through a 4-Way Stop almost everyday. If youre not sure in your mind then look up the rules of the road.

    I would also agree with Cliff that road is speed rated by VDOT not the developer. And until it was mentioned here I would venture to say most everyone driving on the road assumed it was 45. Whether someone is doing 45-50-or 55 is not a huge difference. What is is when someone doesn't stop and a vehicle pulls out in front to them. Objects will remain in motion until some force acts against the object to change that...

    Advanced warning signage may help for the dumb a$$e$ that cant see the big RED STOP sign mounted 10 feet in the air.
     
  19. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    I'm trying to remember if there is a stop sign on the median on Claiborne or just on the right hand side... is there?
     
  20. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    I agree that solely reducing the speed limit will not resolve the issue. I was attempting to research ALL the possible solutions, especially ones that are under VDOT control (posted speed limit, signage etc). This issue will likely require a multi-pronged solution.

    Based on VDOT's Intersection Standards, for Stopping Sight Distance:

    35MPG = 250'
    40MHP = 305'
    45MPH = 360'
    50MPH = 425'
    55MPH = 495'

    135' probably equates to 2.1-3.5 reaction time, depending on the speed (lots of other factors, terrian, weight & height of car etc). I am in the process of reading VDOT's comprehensive guidelines, which is a 500+ page document. During next week's meeting with VDOT, I want to be well informed and get VDOT to commit to a reasonable solution to this issue.

    @Villager, Yes the stop signs posted in the median.
     

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