Commission backs removal of Gloucester Parkway’s eastern segment from county transportation plan

The Loudoun County Planning Commission voted 8-0-1 on May 27 to recommend removing the eastern segment of the planned Gloucester Parkway extension from the 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP). The recommended change follows a county study that found traffic operations forecast for the study area were similar with and without the Gloucester Parkway extension.

Why it matters: Gloucester Parkway is a planned east–west connection intended to link Sterling, Ashburn and Leesburg. The staff analysis used the county travel-demand model with a 2040 horizon and found that removing the full extension or only the eastern segment shifts trips to parallel roads (Route 7, Riverside Parkway, Belmont Ridge Road) but would produce similar operations in 2040 provided other planned network improvements are implemented.

Study findings: Lindsay Marford of DTCI told the commission that model scenarios — the as-planned network, full removal and removal of the eastern segment — showed similar traffic operations in 2040. Staff emphasized that those scenarios assumed a range of CTP network improvements (e.g., Route 7 widening, Sickle and Road widening, Russell Branch Parkway extension) that currently are not funded in the CIP. Marford noted that VDOT and the town of Leesburg supported the recommendation only if other planned capacity improvements in the study area remain in the CTP.

Costs and tradeoffs: Staff provided planning-level cost estimates using the county's lane-mile cost factor: Russell Branch Parkway west of Belmont Ridge was estimated about $36 million, while the Gloucester Parkway connection was estimated about $57 million. Removing the eastern segment would also reduce impacts to the Goose Creek stream corridor, according to staff analysis.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner Barnes moved to forward CPAM 2020-4-6 (Gloucester Parkway) with a recommendation of approval; Commissioner Myers seconded. The motion carried 8-0-1 (Commissioner Combs absent). The Board of Supervisors endorsed staff’s recommendation at its March business meeting and staff intends to return to the board in the fall with the commission’s recommendation.

Quote: “The analysis shows that forecasted traffic operations in the study area are similar with and without the Gloucester Parkway extension,” Marford said, explaining staff’s recommendation to remove the eastern Gloucester crossing.

What’s next: Planning Commission will forward the CPAM to the Board of Supervisors for final action. Commissioners asked staff and the board to consider prioritizing nearby network improvements if the eastern segment is removed so parallel capacity is preserved.