The 7/690 Interchange is a waste of taxpayers’ money

Dear Editor:

In early January, the Purcellville Town Council will be reviewing again the proposed interchange at the junction of Route 7 and Route 690 (Hillsboro Road). The Council should reject this project.

Citizens have been led to believe that the interchange would significantly reduce traffic congestion. That is a fable invented by County staff to justify a project they want to impose on the Town for completely different reasons.

Figures 1-4 and 2-4 of the “Value Engineering Study” conducted by VDOT in 2018 clearly show that, even if this project were completed, traffic congestion would actually worsen on Route 7 between Purcellville and Leesburg and at the intersections of Rte. 690 and Allder School Road and 21st Street and 23rd Street. And it would have no effect whatever on the severe congestion expected in 2040 at the following intersections:

• Hirst Road and 21st Street (F)
• Hirst Road and Maple Avenue (F)
• Route 7 and the Route 287 (Berlin Turnpike) east-bound ramp (F)
• Route 287 and Eastgate Drive (F)
• Main Street and 23rd Street (F)
• Main Street and Maple Avenue (D)

It would also make our roads more dangerous. VDOT projects that the risk of fatalities would increase tenfold on the new interchange alone, posing a particular threat to parents and children driving to and from Mountain View ES and Woodgrove HS.

While the project would have no major benefit for Purcellville residents, it would have severe consequences for the Town of Hillsboro and the rural countryside north of Purcellville. It would increase the volume of heavy truck traffic through historic Hillsboro, promote more subdivision and development along Hillsboro Road and Allder School Road, and further fragment and degrade western Loudoun’s farmland, open spaces, and rural scenery.

According to a March 2023 County staff memorandum, the justification for the interchange is that it is “… of regional importance and a critical part of the planned transportation network in western Loudoun County.” 

The County’s real intention is to accommodate increasing interstate traffic through western Loudoun, particularly on Route 7 between Purcellville and Leesburg. That is based on the premise that the areas around Purcellville will continue to suburbanize and that the current small town and rural quality of life our citizens enjoy will not be preserved.

Five years ago, the cost of the 7/690 project was estimated at $29 million. It is likely to be much higher now. This is an unreasonable price to pay for no gain and more pain. The project should be permanently cancelled.

John Ellis
Hillsboro