There is an alternative to closing Rt. 340

Dear Editor:

Starting in the spring of 2023 West Virginia plans to close Rt. 340 at the VA/WV state line for at least 90 days to complete a Rock Slide Repair Project.  The WVDOT had three options:  a total closure, one lane with traffic lights at either end to allow for alternating traffic, or two very narrow lanes that would need to be closed in both directions for an estimated 15 minutes per hour. 

 WVDOT seems to have chosen the first option, a total closure for the duration of the project. 

The project is needed as the cliff face is unstable, and people have been seriously injured by falling rocks. 

The detour route is going to seriously disrupt traffic in western Loudoun, and our friends and neighbors in West Virginia will be sitting in gridlock during their commutes.

The WVDOT engineers plan to run all the traffic on Rt. 340 through western Loudoun. 

Take a moment and contemplate the following, at the Rt 9 and Rt. 671 intersection during the peak evening hour 1,710 vehicles go through that intersection.

At the other end of Rt. 671 at Rt. 340 about 2,114 vehicles an hour go through that intersection.  Those vehicles are going to use Rt. 671 to travel to Rt. 9 and at that point they will join the 1,710 vehicles that already use Rt. 9. 

Ten to 13 percent of the vehicles on Rt. 340 are large trucks with a single trailer. That means approximately 253 tractor trailers an hour will be funneled onto Rt. 671 and onto to Rt. 9. 

Rt. 671 is just not designed for that level of truck traffic. The drivers will be unfamiliar with the road, and they will have some inclines to deal with. When those trucks get to the light at Rt. 9, they are going to turn right and head to the West Virginia border. They will be driving very slowly once on Rt. 9 due to the sheer volume of traffic, and they have a very steep grade to reach the top of the mountain. 

By the time those fully loaded trucks get to the top of the grade on Rt. 9, they will be going so slowly and given the steep grade and the volume of traffic, when the light at Rt 671 and 9 turns green there will be no space to enter Rt. 9 westbound.  This will mean Rt. 671 will be gridlocked its entire length. 

With the doubling of traffic at its western end, the volume of trucks and the steep grade they must navigate, and changes to the timing of the traffic light, Rt. 9 will be backed up at least to 287 and beyond.

Consider how first responders are going to get to the inevitable accidents that will result from these gridlocked conditions, not to mention road rage incidents. 

Consider the kids on school buses sitting on Rt. 9 for long periods. Think about the traffic in our local neighborhoods that will result from people trying to find alternative routes. Think about all the businesses in WV and the thriving Loudoun wineries that depend on tourism dollars to survive. Think of truck drivers unfamiliar with Rt. 9 and the steep grade going eastbound, downhill with no runaway ramps. 

One solution that should be considered is a single lane through the construction zone as close to the river as possible. Instead of traffic lights and alternating traffic, allow for eastbound traffic from midnight to noon, and westbound traffic from noon to midnight. 

If you believe the total closure of Rt. 340 at Harpers Ferry is going to result in gridlock, make your feelings known and contact your local lawmakers.  Time is running short to express your views on this matter.  

Here is a link to the detour map:  http://www.us340harpersferry.com/detours/. 

Brian Ward

Tri-State Exxon, Sweet Springs Country Store

Purcellville