Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2011-08-09 9-11 Ride #2 Town of Leesburg News Release For Immediate Release America’s 9/11 Foundation Motorcycle Ride Coming to Leesburg Drivers should expect significant traffic delays during the afternoon and early evening hours on Friday, August 19, 2011. Leesburg, VA (August 9, 2011) – America’s 9/11 Foundation, Inc. holds an annual commemorative motorcycle ride in remembrance of all who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 attacks, aftermath and recovery. The ride travels from Somerset, Pennsylvania to the Pentagon, then to the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. On Friday, August 19, 2011, the motorcycle procession will travel through Leesburg, possibly beginning as early as 2:00 p.m. With more than 1,800 motorcycles expected to participate in this year’s ride, the entire procession could take over two hours to travel through the Town. Significant traffic delays are expected to occur throughout the region during the afternoon and early evening hours of Friday, August 19, 2011. Ride Route. The ride will come south on Highway 15 Business (King Street) into Leesburg, continuing southbound through the Historic Downtown. Riders will then take the Route 7/15 Bypass east to the Dulles Greenway, where riders will enter the Dulles Greenway and travel to the Pentagon. Road Closures & Detours. During the procession through town, King Street, from the northern Town limits to the Route 7/15 Bypass, will be closed to traffic. In addition, all King Street intersections will be closed to east-west cross traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. Road closures are anticipated to be in effect for several hours. The attached map shows the procession route and detour routes. Please note that the only east-west traffic access will be the Route 7/15 Bypass. In addition, access to the Dulles Greenway from the Route 7/15 Bypass will be closed. Significant traffic delays are expected throughout the greater Leesburg area while the road closures are in effect. (more) TOL PR 2011-08-09 America’s 9-11 Ride Page 2 Traffic Hotline. On Friday, August 19, 2011, the Town of Leesburg will operate a traffic hotline at 703-771-7744. Citizens can report traffic incidents and get up-to-date traffic information on this hotline. During the event, citizens are requested to use the traffic hotline for all non- emergency traffic-related inquiries. No On-Street Parking. In order to facilitate the traffic flow during and after the ride, no on- street parking will be allowed on Snow Emergency Routes throughout the Town beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2011. Any vehicles parked on a designated Snow Emergency Route after that time may be towed at the owners' expense. (more) Map TOL PR 2011-08-09 America’s 9-11 Ride Page 3 Spectators. Spectators are encouraged to arrive in downtown Leesburg not later than 1:00 p.m. Parking will be available in the Town Hall Parking Garage, at the Liberty Street Parking Lot (Liberty & Royal Streets) and at the Pennington Parking Lot (Church & North Streets). Once the procession begins, spectators will not be able to cross King Street on foot. Town Facilities. The following Town facilities will have amended hours of operation on Friday, August 19, 2011: • Thomas Balch Library will be closed to the public. • Ida Lee Park will remain open. The King Street entrance to the park will be closed to vehicular traffic once the ride enters the Town. After that time, vehicles will be required to exit the park through the Rust Library parking lot to Old Waterford Road. No vehicles will be able to enter the park. • The Recreation Center will remain open. All afternoon classes and programs will be cancelled. • The Tennis Center will remain open. All afternoon classes and programs will be cancelled. • The Outdoor Pool will remain open. Leesburg officials strongly recommend that residents, employees and commuters adjust their travel plans to minimize the impact of the road closures. Detailed information about the ride route, road closures and detour routes is available on the Town of Leesburg website at www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=1472. Contact: Betsy Fields Research & Communications Manager bfields@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734 # # #