From the office of our outstanding Senator, Mark Herring (D-33), via Facebook:

Leesburg, VA – Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun and Fairfax) has sent a letter to Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton requesting available state funds for two projects critical to alleviating traffic along the Route 7 corridor:  the construction of a planned interchange at Route 7 and Belmont Ridge Road, and the construction of the Sycolin Road overpass.

“The completion of these two projects will make great strides toward the completion of Route 7 as a limited access highway and improve traffic flow on one of the region’s most critical transportation corridors,” Herring states in his letter

“It would support employment growth in a corridor of regional and statewide significance, bolster the area’s economic competitiveness, reduce congestion and travel time on Route 7, improve the quality of life for thousands of commuters who suffer through heavy traffic congestion and frustrating delays every day, improve safety for the traveling public by eliminating two of Loudoun County’s most dangerous intersections, and allow for the state to be a full partner in the public/private partnership that has characterized the forward progress of the corridor over the last fifteen years.”

The letter comes as a result of the second meeting of Senator Herring’s Route 7 Task Force, a group of fifteen business and community leaders that Herring has formed to address the rapidly worsening congestion on Route 7.  The group identified the Route 7/Belmont Ridge Road interchange and Sycolin Road overpass as top priorities for getting traffic moving.  The group agreed at the meeting to compose a companion letter to Secretary Connaughton, to be signed by all of its members.  

In September, Governor McDonnell, along with Secretary Connaughton, released the findings of an independent financial and performance audit of the Virginia Department of Transportation.  Among the audit’s findings: $800 to $900 million in funds that the Governor noted could be put to work immediately building roads and reducing congestion statewide.

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Excellent work, Senator. The Belmont Ridge Road (Rte. 659)/Route 7 interchange is one of the most dangerous intersections in Eastern Loudoun. It is in dire need of improvement, not only to improve traffic flow, but for the safety of other drivers.

Disclosure: my wife sits on Sen. Herring’s task force.