“Battlefield Parkway Construction Back On Track”, reads the headline in Leesburg Today. This article tells the story of how the Town Council and John Wells resurrected the reality of Battlefield Parkway from Rt. 7 to Kincaid Boulevard. It now appears that the funds are in place and that the RFP for construction may be issued as soon as this Friday, January 26th. If the system works like it should, we might see Battlefield Parkway completed all the way from the Greenway to Rt. 7 by 2009. This is an extremely important connector that will help relieve some our most serious traffic problems.
When VDOT took this project off their near-term to-do list only a few weeks ago, the Town Council sprang into action. I understand that Mayor Umstattd wrote 9 letters with personal notes to politicians and VDOT on this subject. Ken Reid, the transportation champion on the Council, Vice Mayor Susan Horne, Katie Hammler, Kevin Wright, cornered their friends in the State Legislature and members of VDOT. Kelly Burke contacted the Governor’s office. Several citizens spoke directly with Delegate Joe May. Other members of the state legislature were also approached. Town Manager, John Wells, should get special recognition for figuring out how to pay for the project.
I hope that this is a trend that will continue. We need to finish Battlefield Parkway from the Greenway to Rt. 15. The bridge will soon be completed across the Greenway, but Battlefield Parkway will end at Evergreen Mill Road. Sources tell me that “Meadowbrook II” will soon surface, which may give the Town a second bite at the apple and a chance to complete this road. I also hear a rumor that there may be some good news on the funding of a flyover at Sycolin Road and the By-pass. Wouldn’t all that make for a very happy New Year, and many happy new years to come?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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