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
# # #