Leesburg commission rejects wide one‑way conversion, endorses traffic study recommendations with conditions

The Leesburg Traffic & Safety Commission on a special meeting reviewed a consultant traffic study of downtown circulation and safety and voted to decline the study's Build Option 1 (a Market/Loudoun one‑way conversion) while approving the study's low‑cost safety recommendations and a set of narrower one‑way conversions and street modifications.

The commission's action came after a multihour presentation and debate about pedestrian safety, emergency response access and business visibility in the historic downtown. A motion to "decline on building option 1" passed; commissioners later approved a motion that the commission "has approved the recommendations with our comments," endorsing the consultant's package of proposed improvements but asking staff to follow up on specific concerns.

Why it matters: the study laid out potential safety and operational tradeoffs for converting Market Street (westbound) and Loudoun Street (eastbound) to a paired one‑way couplet. The consultant said the conversion would likely improve flow and reduce some turning conflicts but also "increase vehicle speeds," reduce business visibility on the affected corridors and could raise "the severity of crashes" when they occur. The report included a planning‑level cost estimate for full conversion of roughly "$6 to $7 million." Commissioners concluded the net effect in the downtown historic area would be negative and voted to decline Build Option 1.

What the commission decided and why: commissioners emphasized pedestrian safety and emergency access. The presenter summarized specific concerns: narrow historic streets that could divert traffic onto residential side streets, queue spillback at intersections already lengthened by recently implemented lead pedestrian intervals (LPI), and an outstanding question about fire hydrant coverage and ambulance response if primary downtown routes are altered. The commission asked staff to obtain a more detailed explanation from Loudoun County Fire & Rescue about potential response‑time impacts.

Approved measures and narrower conversions: the body approved a set of lower‑cost safety measures recommended in the study (for example, high‑visibility backplates on signal heads, installation of flashing yellow arrow left‑turn signals where feasible, upgraded crosswalk and stop‑bar markings, and consideration of audible pedestrian signals or accessible pedestrian signal devices at key intersections). The commission also approved individual one‑way conversions and alignment changes for specific, narrower streets where the study found acceptable service and limited downside (motions recorded and passed during the meeting included approvals for the recommended conversion of North Street eastbound in one segment, Royal/Bridal corridor segments, Ward Street (northbound), and Liberty Street southbound between Loudoun and the parking lot area). Several of those items were approved with the caveat that staff confirm emergency vehicle access and parking impacts.

Discussion highlights and clarifications: commissioners and staff repeatedly separated discussion items from formal direction. The consultant noted that some low‑cost items (pavement markings, stop bars, crosswalks, one‑way signage, and signage at crosswalks) could be implemented irrespective of any one‑way conversion. Commissioners reiterated that these measures could proceed while larger geometry changes remain under review. Commissioners also flagged that three specific intersections (Market & King, King & Loudoun, and Market & Memorial) may not be able to receive backplates because the existing signal poles are fully populated; staff said they would investigate options.

On emergency response, the presenter said the study team "reached out to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, and they said it would impact emergency vehicle response time," and recommended staff obtain a fuller written explanation and, if possible, have a Loudoun County representative attend a future meeting. The commission requested that follow up before further action on any major corridor conversion.

Cost and implementation notes: the consultant provided a planning‑level capital estimate for Build Option 1 of about "$6 to $7 million." Staff noted an ongoing CIP (capital improvement program) that already funds certain signal and pedestrian upgrades; commissioners asked staff to coordinate proposed changes with existing CIP projects to avoid duplication and to clarify which improvements would be implemented through routine CIP work versus new project funding.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Decline Build Option 1 (Market/Loudoun one‑way conversion). Motion moved by Commissioner (unnamed). Outcome: approved (commission voted to decline the conversion). Note: the consultant's report estimated the conversion cost at roughly $6'$7 million; commissioners requested additional fire/rescue analysis before any reconsideration. - Motion: Approve consultant recommendations and submit commission comments to council (omnibus). Outcome: approved. Note: this motion endorsed the study's low‑cost safety measures and the consultant's recommendations, subject to the commission's comments and requested follow up from staff. - Motion: Approve recommended conversion of North Street (eastbound segment between Wood and Church) per consultant recommendations. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve conversion of specified Bridal/Royal corridor segment to one‑way (westbound direction as presented). Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve making Ward Street one‑way northbound (south Second to Market). Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve making Liberty Street southbound between Loudoun and the parking lot section (two‑way change further north retained). Outcome: approved. (Record: motions and vote outcomes above were recorded in the meeting transcript; specific tally counts were not recorded verbatim in the transcript.)

What remains unresolved: commissioners deferred further action on any corridor‑scale conversion until staff secures a detailed response from Loudoun County Fire & Rescue about response‑time impacts and hydrant coverage questions. They also asked staff to confirm occupancy figures for the county courthouse expansion as part of traffic projections, and to refine signal modification costs and right‑of‑way constraints at constrained intersections.

Context and next steps: staff will prepare the commission's comments and the consultant's recommendations for submittal to the town council, and will follow up with Loudoun County Fire & Rescue and other stakeholders as requested. Several low‑cost measures are eligible for immediate programming under the town's CIP; larger geometry changes would require design, right‑of‑way adjustments and additional funding.

Ending: Commissioners said the package largely endorsed safety improvements while rejecting the large one‑way pair change for the historic downtown. Several commissioners urged the town to pursue targeted lighting and pedestrian‑visibility measures and to coordinate outreach materials for pedestrian and bicycle safety with school and neighborhood groups in the coming months.