Town transportation staff and consultants presented the final public‑engagement results of a downtown one‑way streets study at the Oct. 27 work session and recommended converting short segments of Liberty, Wirt (Worth in presentation) and Royal streets to one‑way operation to address narrow lanes, sight‑distance issues and recurrent loading or school pick‑up conflicts.

Project lead Niraja Chandrappu described three recommended conversions: (1) Liberty Street southbound from Loudoun to Royal — to reduce conflicts caused by narrow lanes and delivery trucks near Burgby House; (2) Worth (Wirt) Street northbound between Royal and Market — to address tight turn radii and recurring school drop‑off lane blocking; and (3) Royal Street westbound between South King Street and Burth (map labels varied) — to accommodate sidewalk, curb and drainage improvements as part of a planned CIP project.

Chandrappu said the project team revised an earlier proposal to keep Ward Street two‑way between South and Royal streets to preserve an alternate route to South King Street. The team reported outreach that included six stakeholder meetings and a public open house (Sept. 29) attended by 15 people; 12 attendees supported the recommended side‑street conversions, two raised parking questions on Royal Street that staff said were resolved in follow‑up, and one business owner opposed a Royal Street conversion on the grounds that “if it is working, why change it.”

Staff said coordination with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue showed no major operational impacts, though minor event‑related detours would be needed for special events. Chandrappu said converting Royal to one‑way in the segment where curb and sidewalk are missing would allow the CIP drainage and pedestrian improvements without losing necessary traffic function.

Several councilmembers asked for more analysis of converting Loudoun and Market to a one‑way pair (two‑lane configurations had been considered earlier and staff previously recommended against conversion), and they requested a more detailed work session on that specific pairing rather than deciding it tonight. Council members directed staff to move the recommended side‑street conversions toward a public hearing; five councilmembers signaled support for advancing the conversions to the public‑hearing stage.

Consultants in the room included Jeff Giffin (Kimley‑Horn) and Ravi Raub (WSP). Staff said next steps are to prepare plans, cost estimates and a public‑hearing package for the council to consider.