Board Adopts Safety Plan at W and OD Trail Crossing In Sterling

The board of supervisors adopted this action plan July 1 for the W and OD Trail Crossing at Sterling Boulevard at their regular business meeting.

This is the plain text, to obtain the full board item in a pdf, click on this link.

Date of Meeting: July 1, 2015
# 8
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
ACTION ITEM
BOARD MEMBER INITIATIVE
SUBJECT: Sterling Boulevard and W&OD Trail Crossing Safety
Improvements
ELECTION DISTRICT: Sterling
CRITICAL ACTION DATE: At the Pleasure of the Board
STAFF CONTACT: Joe Patten, Staff Aide to Supervisor Delgaudio
PURPOSE: To direct County staff to request that the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
(NVRPA) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) complete review and approval
of plans previously submitted (CPAP 2014-0059) and construct improvements for the Sterling
Boulevard and W&OD Trail crossing as soon as possible.
RECOMMENDATION: Supervisor Delgaudio recommends approval of this item
______________________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND: In Sterling, the W&OD Trail crosses S. Sterling Boulevard, a four-lane
highway with a median staging island. The speed limit along S. Sterling Boulevard at this crossing
is 40 MPH.

This crossing poses a serious safety concern due to the heavy traffic, high speeds, and confusion
over right-of-way. At the crossing, oncoming traffic has the right-of-way, but a car in one lane
will regularly stop for waiting pedestrians and bicyclists while traffic in the adjacent lane continues
to flow. This confusion creates a considerable safety hazard.

The NVRPA commissioned a study of several problematic trail crossings, including the Sterling
Boulevard and W&OD Trail Crossing, released in 2012 (Attachment 1). The study recommended
additional signage at this crossing, which included high-visibility flashing beacons of the type now
installed at the Belmont Ridge Road and W&OD Trail crossing (Attachment 2).

ISSUES: Due to regional agreements, any plans to change a W&OD Trail road crossing must be
approved by the NVRPA, VDOT, and the local jurisdiction, which in this case is Loudoun County.
Direct approval of the plans lies with staff for the three entities involved and does not normally
require the approval of the Board of Supervisors (Board). Due to the pressing safety concerns, the
Board can request that all entities involved expedite approval of this plan.
Item 8, BMI: Sterling Boulevard and W&OD Trail Crossing Safety Improvements

Board of Supervisors Business Meeting
July 1, 2015
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact to the County. This is an NVRPA-initiated project,
and they have budgeted $150,000 for these safety improvements.

DRAFT MOTIONS:

(Delgaudio moved "Board adopts plan in the attachment in this item and further moves....)

(2nd part of motion)

1. I move that the Board of Supervisors direct County staff to request that the Northern Virginia
Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
complete review and approval of plans previously submitted (CPAP 2014-0059) and construct
improvements for the Sterling Boulevard and W&OD Trail crossing as soon as possible.

ATTACHMENTS:
1. NVRPA Sterling Blvd. W&OD Trail Recommendations
2. Sterling Blvd. W&OD Trail Intersection Study Map
Attachment 1 A-1
A-2
A-3
Attachment 2 A-4