HomeMy Public PortalAbout1997_02_25_R049 The Town of
Leesburg,
i Virginia
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION:
PRESENTED February 25, 1997
97-49 ADOPTED February 25, 1997
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
1997-1998 THROUGH 2002-2003
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is revising the Six-Year
Improvements Program for fiscal years 1997-1998 through 2002-2003; and
WHEREAS, VDOT will be conducting a preallocation hearing on March 21, 1997 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 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, completion
of the Route 7/15 Interchange are already in the VDOT Six-Year Plan as primary system projects; 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
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:
A 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
1997-1998 THROUGH 2002-2003
SECTION I.
Year Plan:
VDOT is requested to establish the following urban system projects as part of its Six-
Priority
1
Project Description
Widen Catoctin Circle from South Street
west to South King Street to accommodate
four travel lanes and a turning lane for a
distance of approximately 3,300'.
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:
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 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
A 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
1997-1998 THROUGH 2002-2003
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.
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.
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.
This project is included in the corridor study submitted by VDOT to the Town of
Leesburg and approved by the Leesburg Town Council.
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.
The improvements proposed are supported by the VDOT Leesburg Residence Office,
the Northern Virginia District Office, the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County.
SECTION V. 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 volumes on the Route 7/15 Bypass exceeds 30,000 vehicles per day.
Increasing traffic volumes are causing a decrease in safety and level of service along
the Route 7/15 Bypass.
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.
The Northern Virginia Transportation Coordinating Council has determined the
widening of the Route 7/15 Bypass is a needed regional transportation improvements
project and has approved funding for preliminary engineering for FY 1998.
A RESOLUTION:
-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
1997-1998 THROUGH 2002-2003
VI. 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:
Traffic volumes are increasing annually and are expected to exceed 75,000 by the
year 2015.
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 25hh day of
A~TE~ST:
Clerk of Council
February , 1997.
Ja~s E. Clem, Mayor
Tbwn of Leesburg