Traffic Light at Waxpool and Claiborne

Since the increased development in Southern Walk, traffic on the southern side of Claiborne Parkway and on Waxpool Road has noticeably increased.

According to Loudoun County Transportation Office, a traffic light is planned for the corner of Claiborne Parkway and Waxpool Road.

Loudoun County is asking the Broadlands Developer, Terrabrook, to help pay for the installation. A letter was sent to the Developer, Terrabrook, on September 4, 2003 asking them to help fund the installation. As of today, no response has been provided to Loudoun County.

If you would like to see a traffic light there, bring it up with the HOA to put pressure on Terrabrook to respond to the Loudoun County Government request.

 

I addressed this issue with Terrabrook this week. They are in the process of doing the work to get the light installed. This is also true for the light at Claiborne/Broadlands Blvd. As soon as I have any guesstimates for installation dates, I will post the information.
Terrabrook has always had the responsibility to pay for a certain percentage of the light's cost. There was an issue/confusion as to which party was responsible for the design work-Terrabrook or the county. This has been resolved and the process should be moving forward.
I would also encourage ALL residents with concerns over this issue to contact the county. The more complaints they hear, the faster the lights will be installed. This was partcularly true in getting the light installed at Claiborne/Hay Rd. I see at least one accident a week at Waxpool/Claiborne.
Cliff

 

I sure hope they time those lights correctly so we don't all have to sit at two traffic lights.

 

You'll never have to wait. Those lights will never get put in while you and I are above ground! If Loudoun had any intention of putting in those lights, they would be in place by now. The number of accidents at the intersection is growing, and the bureaucrats just don't care. If you think that they do, just call them and see what reaction you get!

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

And, your source for these "facts" is...

 

GCyr: I called Loudoun County myself. If you do the same, I would definitely be interested in seeing what reaction you get. In my opinion, they seemed completely disinterested in a true safety concern.

killer_bee in broadands, ashburn, virginia

 

It could be because the sheriff's department does not control (or fund) the installation of traffic lights. There are profers (developer money set aside already) for the lights, so I have no reason to believe they will not be installed. However, the timeframe for their installation is not cast in stone anywhere, but based on Cliff's research and remarks, they appear to be in the works.

 

well, I am surprised there is no light at Broadlands Blvd and Claiborne yet.
We have a shopping center opening in a month on that corner and that intersection is just as horrible as Claiborne and Waxpool. In the morning it is impossible to get through there with the long line of cars going to Saint Theresa's School.

I have finally decided to just avoid the intersections completely or get around them a different way. Too bad. I wonder how many bad accidents need to happen before
lights will be put in.....

There are so many impatient and discourteous drivers
it makes safe driving very difficult and frightening for even old seasoned drivers
like me.

Think about all of the young teenagers with their new driving privilages.
Makes them wonder what they got themselves into. I have a 16 year old with a learner's permit trying to navigate this mess. Kids learn rude driving habits by watching those adults on the road much faster than from their friends.

People just don't care, There is no courtesy. That is why we need lights to control these dangerous areas now.

 

I just can't believe the shopping center is going to open before that light goes in! What a total lack of coordination and planning!

 

Thanks for the info and concern all,

Lias (didn't catch last name), I spoke to at Loudoun County Transportation was very helpful. She took my number and called me back within 5 minutes with an answer.

She said that people should call or email the office with locations where they feel traffic lights are needed. It may take time, but things do happen and I think Loudoun County is making progress with sprawl and crawl.

 

The need for the lights at those two intersections is already known, the traffic counts have already been done, and VDOT has approved their installation.
I believe almost, if not all, the cost for the light at Broadlands/Claiborne is being paid by the developer. The light at Waxpool and Claiborne has a higher percentage of county funding, so it may take longer.
Cliff

 

So, when will the light go in? I don't see any work being done on it.

 

Here's some information provided to me by Terrabrook about the traffic light installation process. The light for Claiborne/Broadlands Blvd. is on week 18 of the process.

A - WARRANT STUDY

0-2 weeks (prepare study)
2-6 weeks (VDOT review)
6-7 weeks (address VDOT comments)
7-11 weeks (VDOT review and approval)

B - SIGNAL DESIGN

11-15 weeks (prepare preliminary design)
15-20 weeks (VDOT review)
20-22 weeks (address VDOT comments)
22-26 weeks (preliminary plan approval - start shop drawings)
26-28 weeks (submit final design with synchro package)
28-32 weeks (final approval)

C - SHOP DRAWINGS & FOUNDATIONS DESIGNS

26-30 weeks (prepare foundation designs - by contractor)
30-34 weeks (shop drawing approval - apply for permit)

D - PERMITS

34-36 weeks (apply and receive permits)

E - EQUIPMENT PURCHASE

34-50 weeks (poles and cabinet ordered and delivered)

F - CONSTRUCTION

36-40 weeks (preliminary construction - foundations, conduit and cable runs)
50-55 weeks (final construction - poles and signal heads)

G - UTILITY COORDINATION

28-32 weeks (preliminary coordination with telephone and power - send them a plan)
50-55 weeks (final coordination with telephone and power)

H - FINAL INSPECTION

55-59 weeks (final inspection and flashing yellow phase of the signal)
60+ weeks (fully operational signal)


The following outlines the process by which to obtain the Virginia Department of Transportation's approval for a signal to be installed at a given intersection.

A traffic signal needs study or a warrant study must be conducted to determine whether the intersection meets the approved criteria for installation. The study assesses the traffic, both existing and future, at the given intersection. If the intersection exists and has a need for a signal based on existing traffic levels, then a traffic signal will be approved to be designed and installed. If a traffic signal need study is conducted for a future intersection, the new development traffic and the projected traffic along the newly constructed roadway(s) will be studied to determine if a signal will be needed in the future upon build out of the proposed development. If a signal is warranted, the Virginia Department of Transportation will approve the process to begin the design of the signal.

Once the signals are designed, two things may happen: 1) If the intersection exists and traffic levels currently warrant a signal, the signal may move forward and the developer may attain a permit for construction. 2) If the intersection is new, the Virginia Department of Transportation will typically need traffic count evidence that the needs study forecasts were accurate and the signal is actually warranted. In some cases, the needs study and professional judgment are adequate to allow the installation of a signal for opening day of the development, prior to the availability of post-development traffic data.

 

Wow - I had no idea it took that long and is that involved in getting a traffic signal installed.

Thanks for the info Cliff!

 

Are any of the lights in Ashburn timed? it doesn't seem like it. Driving Waxpool to 28 is a real hassle stopping all the time. It seems like minor roads are giving preference, as soon as a car comes up it stops waxpool w/o making that car wait a little bit to let the road pool to minimize stopping.

 

60+ weeks? That's government at its finest.

 

Reminds me of the movie "Pentagon Wars" where they create a sheep office just to study sheep for a live test. Long story but great movie.

 

why are we only at week 18 of this process? the shopping center/Safeway has been planned for years, and under construction for the last year.

I had someone pull out in front of me yesterday that just rolled thru the stopsign like it wasn't even there. It's gonna get nasty

 

Welcome to a so-called "planned" community.

 

You know I notice that alot of people go thru the stop sign, which is amazing to me.