July 16, 2008

Loudoun Roads Update

If you’ve been wondering how all the shenanigans in Richmond would impact Loudoun’s road projects, I’ve got an answer – and it’s not good. As reported by LoudounExtra.com, the $16-million, 44% drop in the County’s 6-year road-building plan will mainly affect Waxpool Rd., Edwards Ferry Rd., and Belmont Ridge Rd. The improvements to Waxpool and Edwards Ferry have been eliminated, and the work slated for Belmont Ridge has been significantly scaled back.  

You can read details about the retooled improvements to Belmont Ridge here. Although I am all for eradicating the problem with the W&OD Trail crossing (it is a HUGE safety concern), I think the rest of the improvements will have little impact. Everyone who uses Belmont Ridge knows it is completely unequipped to handle the kind of traffic the new Belmont Greene Village Center is going to bring. (Click here to see what businesses will be setting up shop; Bloom is the anchor grocery store.) The original plan was to widen Belmont Ridge from Rt. 7 all the way to the Greenway, and I just don’t see how anything less will suffice. For more information on the setbacks and how they will affect area residents, check out local blog Leesburg Tomorrow. The blogger does a great job of covering local politics and other issues relevant to Loudoun residents.  

Image: W&OD Trail near Belmont (Photo credit)