VDOT OKs Riverbend light
Residents of one Great Falls neighborhood are feeling vindicated this week after a VDOT traffic study found that the problems with their intersection aren't just in their heads.
A VDOT study of the intersection of Riverbend Road and the Georgetown Pike found that the intersection experienced such high traffic volume and "interruption of traffic" combined with poor sight distances that the intersection merited the construction of a traffic light for driver safety. VDOT has a more technical way of saying it, but their study coincides with the experience of Riverbend Road resident Morag Lucas.
"You just have to hope that someone lets you by, and that no one behind them gets mad and drives around them to smash into you," said Lucas, describing the experience of trying to get out of her road on to the heavily trafficked Georgetown Pike.
Riverbend resident Ken Lyons has been advocating for a light at the intersection ever since someone did smash into his 17-year-old daughter at the dangerous intersection.
"I'm very optimistic at this point," said Lyons, after Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust (D) announced the results of the study at a public meeting. However, Lyons is still cautious about the future of the light. Support for the new traffic light is not universal, especially among commuters who use the Georgetown Pike to get to work, and VDOT has left a decision on the light in the hands of Foust and Del. Margi Vanderhye (D-McLean).
Lyons has a petition in support of the light with hundreds of signatures, and the Great Falls Citizens Association has indicated its support, but the light is not yet certain. The proposed light has one big problem in common with every transportation project in Virginia – money. The light could cost as much as $200,000, and it might be a while before VDOT has the funds.
"VDOT could seek federal funds for the project," Foust legislative aide Tania Cunha said.
"I won't say it's done 'til I'm stopped at the light," Ken Lyons said.