HomeMy Public PortalAbout1996_03_12_R046 The Town of
Leesburg,
I Virginia
RESOLUTION NO. 96-46
A RESOLUTION: REQUESTING
VIRGINIA
PRESENTED March 12, 1996
ADOPTED March 12, 1996
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(VDOT) FUNDING FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS WITHIN THE TOWN OF
LEESBURG INT HE VDOT SIX-YEAR IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
FOR FISCAL YEARS 1996-1997 THROUGH 2001-2002
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is revising the Six-Year
Improvements Program for fiscal years 1996-1997 through 2001-2002; and
WHEREAS, VDOT will be conducting a preallocation hearing on March 22, 1996 in Fairfax,
Virginia to determine funding for urban system and primary system projects in the Northern Virginia
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, and the widening of Catoctin Circle from South
King Street to Market Street are already in the VDOT Six-Year plan as Urban System Projects; and
WHEREAS, the South King Street widening project which is currently not in the six-year plan
should become the town's new third urban system project; 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; and
WHEREAS, the Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council included in its adopted
FY 1996 Transportation Improvements Program a project to begin the preliminary engineering phase
of the widening of the Route 7/15 bypass from four to six 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; and
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
IO
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A RESOLUTION: 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 1996-1997 THROUGH 2001-2002
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 I. VDOT is requested to establish the following urban system projects as part of its
Six-Year plan:
Priority
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 lbur travel lanes and a
turning lane for a distance of approximately 3,300'.
3 Widen South King Street from Route 621 to south
corporate limits to accommodate a four lane divided
travelway.
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, 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:
o
The existing signalized intersection at Sycolin Road and the Route 7/15 bypass has the
highest accident rate in the Town of Leesburg.
Existing turn lanes are far too short to provide adequate storage for turning vehicles
resulting in an unacceptable level of service.
Sycolin Road south of the Route 7/15 bypass has no turn lanes.
Traffic volumes on these major roads continue to increase.
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A RESOLUTION: 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 1996-1997 THROUGH 2001-2002
5. The Dulles Greenway opened 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 fund and complete 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.
SECTION V. VDOT is requested to continue to include and fund the primary system project
tbr 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 Residence
Office, the Northern Virginia District Office, the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun
County.
3. The timeframe 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 continue to fund a primary system project to widen the
Route 7/15 bypass from four lanes to six lanes and to complete the interchange at Route 15 and the
Route 7/15 bypass for the following reasons:
1. Current traffic volume on the Route 7/15 bypass exceeds 30,000 vehicles per day.
A RESOLUTION:
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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 1996-1997 THROUGH 2001-2002
2. Increasing traffic volumes are causing a decrease in safety and level of service along the
Route 7/15 bypass.
3. The Dulles Greenway (Toll Road) opened in the fall of 1995 and increasing traffic to the
Route 7/15 bypass.
4. Traffic volumes are expected to exceed 70,000 vehicles per day by 2015.
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 FY 1997.
SECTION VII. VDOT is requested to establish a primary system project to widen the Route
7 bypass and Route 7 from Route 15 to Route 9 for the following reasons:
1. Traffic volumes are increasing annually and are expected to exceed 75,000 by the year
2015.
2. Proposed improvements to Route 9 in West Virginia will increase the capacity of Route
9 up to the stateline and plans to handle the increase in traffic are not yet in place.
3. The Route 9/Route 7 corridor is an important regional transportation link.
4. The accident history on Route 9 warrants major roadway improvements.
5. The free flow nature of the Route 7 bypass must be maintained.
PASSED this 12th day of March, 1996.
ATTEST:
Clerk of Council
,J~mes E. Clem, Mayor
Town of Leesburg
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