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We
must never forget that Virginia roads belong to the people and not to
a government bureaucracy... Virginia
has a unique opportunity for leadership in transportation by applying
a concept called traffic calming.
James
E. Rich,
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The Community's Vision The future of the Rural Route 50 Corridor was resting on a decision about the Middleburg and Aldie bypasses. Despite public discomfort with the idea, there was still significant discussion in the community about the inevitability of highway expansion and the need to bypass the towns. As in many other local efforts to preserve community, citizens began to test the assumptions. The Community's Preliminary Plan The community's preliminary plan was developed by citizens during workshops. Thus, it represents what the people want, not only for their community, but for the road, street, and sidewalk in front of their homes or businesses, and for the towns they frequent. The community's preliminary plan Route 50 Rural Traffic Calming Pilot Project Introduction: This section explains the process for and the benefits of the traffic calming project designed for the John Mosby Highway. The section of Route 50 involved in this pilot project is located in Loudoun and Fauquier counties in northern Virginia, extending 18 miles from Lenah to Paris. The road bisects the John Singleton Mosby Heritage Area, a very scenic and historic part of the country. George Washington surveyed the original road, the first incorporated turnpike in the country, and there are a multitude of well preserved Civil War battlefields throughout the area. The countryside is rural with the road being punctuated by three charming villages; Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville (populations approximately 100, 550 and 125). The main occupations are related to agriculture, tourism, and the horse industries. There are only a few areas like this left in America, and due to encroaching urban sprawl and highway development to the east, this area is under intense pressure. The communities along and near the Route 50 Corridor are very concerned about incremental degradation and its long term effects, and has taken immediate action through initiating a Rural Traffic Calming Pilot Project.
Where To Go From Here On November 12, 1996, the Middleburg Town Council passed a resolution endorsing the concept of traffic calming within the John Singleton Mosby Heritage Area. Many other local and national organizations and individuals strongly support the Plan. Interested parties from all over the country have contacted the Coalition to learn about the Plan and are waiting to see the outcome. This section addressess the next steps in making the plan a reality.
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