HomeMy Public PortalAbout1995_03_14_R055 The Town of
Leesburg,
Virginia
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION:
PRESENTED March 14~ 1995
95-55 ADOPTED March 14~ 1995
REQUESTING VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (VDOT)
FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS WITHIN THE TOWN OF LEESBURG
IN THE VDOT SIX YEAR IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR FISCAL
YEARS 1995-1996 THROUGH 2000-2001
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT hereinafter) is revising the Six Year
Improvements Program for fiscal years 1995-1996 through 2000-2001; and
WHEREAS, VDOT will be conducting a preallocation hearing on March 30, 1995 in Prince William
County to determine funding for urban system and primary system projects in the Northern Virginih
Construction District; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary that a request by council resolution be made before VDOT allocates funds
in the Six Year Improvements Program for urban system projects; and
WHEREAS, the Plaza Street Extension project, the Catoctin Circle Extension, and the widening of
Catoctin Circle from South K/ng Street to Market Street are already in the VDOT Six Year plan as Urban
System Projects; and
WHEREAS, Improvements to the intersection of Sycolin Road and the Route 7/15 Bypass, interim
improvements to Route 7, completion of the Route 7/15 interchange, and widening of Route 7 to six lanes,
are already in the VDOT Six Year plan as Primary System Projects.
WHEREAS, the Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council included in its adopted FY96
Transportation Improvements Program a project to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the widening
of the Route 7/15 Bypass from 4 to 6 lanes; and
WHEREAS, the existing intersection of Sycolin Road and the Route 7/15 Bypass has the highest
accident rate within the Town of Leesburg;
WHEREAS, traffic on Route 7 between the east corporate limits and the Route 7/15 interchange
exceeds 49,000 vehicles per day (vpd) and is causing traffic backups and delays during evening rush hours
resulting in a bottleneck at the entrance to Leesburg from the east; and
RESOLUTION:
-2-
REQUESTING VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (VDOT)
FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS WITHIN THE TOWN OF LEESBURG
IN THE VDOT SIX YEAR IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR FISCAL
YEARS 1995-1996 THROUGH 2000-2001
WHEREAS, current traffic volumes on Route 7 in Leesburg are significantly greater than traffic
volumes on many major Interstate and Primary Roads across Virginia such as:
Interstate 66 at Route 234 47,000 vpd
(Prince William County)
Interstate 81 at Interstate 581 36,000 vpd
(Roanoke)
U.S. 60 at Route 147 41,000 vpd
(Midlothian)
U.S. 460 at Route 58 34,000 vpd
(Suffolk)
Interstate 64 at Interstate 464 45,000 vpd
(Chesapeake)
WHEREAS, the level of service on Route 7 at the interchange is "F" during the p.m. peak, which is
far below an acceptable level of service as determined by both VDOT and the town; and
WHEREAS, the completion of the Route 7/15 interchange, which would greatly improve the flow of
traffic at this important regional interchange, is the only long term solution available.
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia as follows:
SECTION 1. VDOT is requestedto continue to include and fund the following urban system projects
as part of its Six year plan:
PrioriW
1
Project Description
Plaza Street Extension from East Market Street to Sycolin Road at
Rockbridge Drive, a distance of approximately 2,700'.
Widen Catoctin Circle from South Street west to South King Street
to accommodate four travel lanes and a turning lane for a d/stance
of approximately 3300'.
SECTION II. The town agrees to pay its share of the total costs for preliminary engineering, right-of-
way and construction of these projects in accordance with Section 33.1-44 of the Code of Virginia, as amended
RESOLUTION:
-3-
REQUESTING VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (VDOT)
FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS WITHIN THE TOWN OF LEESBURG
IN THE VDOT SIX YEAR IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR FISCAL
YEARS 1995-1996 THROUGH 2000-2001
and that, if the council subsequently elects to stop or cancel any of the projects, the town hereby agrees to
reimburse VDOT for the total amount of the costs expended by VDOT through the date VDOT is notified
of such suspension or cancellation.
SECTION III. VDOT is requested to continue to fund and complete construction as soon as possible
for the improvements to the Sycolin Road Route 7/15 Bypass intersection for the following reasons:
1. The existing signalized intersection at Sycolin Road and the Route 7/15 Bypass has the
highest accident rate in the Town of Leesburg.
2. Existing turn lanes are far too short to provide adequate storage for turning vehicles resulting
in an unacceptable level of service.
3. Sycolin Road south of the Route 7/15 Bypass has no turn lanes.
4. Traffic volumes on these major roads continue to increase.
5. The Dulles Greenway is expected to open in the fall of 1995. This new toll freeway connects
to the Route 7/15 Bypass within 1/2 mile west of Sycolin Road.
6. Improving the traffic safety at this intersection is critical to the regional road network.
SECTION IV. VDOT is requested to continue to include and fund primary system projects for; the
completion of the grade separated interchange at the partially completed Route 7/15 interchange on the east
end of town and to widen Route 7 from four lanes to six lanes for the following reasons:
1. The current interchange is beyond capacity at peak hours and future traffic from local and
regional growth continues to escalate traffic problems at this intersection.
2. The future of commerce and economic development in Leesburg depends a great deal on the
ability of the Route 7/15 interchange to function at an acceptable level of service.
3. This project is included in the corridor study submitted by VDOT to the Town of Leesburg
and approved by the Leesburg Town Council.
4. Development within the required right-of-way at the southwest quadrant of the interchange
is eminent.
5. Acquisition of this right-of-way prior to development of the property will save millions of
dollars of tax payers' money.
The Town of
Leesburg,
Vireinia
'II[ESOLUTION:
-4-
REQUESTING VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (VDOT)
FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS WITHIN THE TOWN OF LEESBURG
IN THE VDOT SIX YEAR IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR FISCAL
YEARS 1995-1996 THROUGH 2000-2001
SECTION V. VDOT is requested to continue to include and fund the primary system project for
interim improvements to Route 7 on the east side of the Route 7/15 interchange for the following reasons:
1. The need for immediate improvements to address the major traffic delays at the Route 7/15
interchange has been identified by VDOT and the town.
2. The interim improvements proposed are supported by the VDOT Leesburg Residency Office,
the Northern Virginia District Office, the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County.
3. The time frame for completion of the complete interchange is too long a period to go without
attempting to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion therefore.
SECTION VI. VDOT is requested to establish a primary system project to widen the Route 7 Bypass
from four lanes to six lanes and to complete the interchange at Route 15 and the Route 7 bypass for the
following reasons:
1. Current traffic volume on the Route 7 bypass exceeds 29,000 vehicles per day.
2. Increasing traffic volumes are causing a decrease in safety and level of service along the
Route 7 bypass.
3. The Dulles Greenway (Toll Road), which is currently under construction, is planned to be
completed in the fall of 1995 and will add additional traffic to the Route 7 bypass.
4. Traffic volumes are estimated to be as high as 74,000 vehicles per day by 2010 per the traffic
volume projections prepared for the Dulles Greenway. This projected volume is nearly as
great at the current traffic volume (79,000 vpd) using the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel in
Norfolk and Hampton.
5. The Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council has determined the widening of
the Route 7/15 Bypass is a needed regional transportation improvement project and has
approved funding for preliminary engineering for FY96.
PASSED this 14th day of March, 1995.
Clerk !~~ouncil
C Mayor
Town of Leesburg
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