Purcell Road

6/22/2011

I think one important aspect of the whole process initiated by Supervisor Nohe this week of taking a second look at both the 234/Purcell intersection improvements and at the long-range planned new connection to the Prince William Parkway is how each component affects the other. In other words, when the Department of Transportation and VDOT were deciding on design requirements for this intersection, was the Purcell connection to the parkway included in the long range plan for the county, and if so was that taken into consideration for the design? It would seem that the expanded highway would result in higher expected traffic volumes and cause more capacity to be built into the intersection. If, after the public process, a decision is made to remove the extension and four-laning of Purcell from the plan, would the 234/Purcell intersection design requirements change (be downgraded)? These are questions that I think should be answered before we go much further on finalizing and moving forward on the 234/Purcell intersection design.

4 Comments

JBGoldsmith

8/8/2011 08:35:19 am

I live off Purcell Road and I and my husband join the many voices in protesting the 'highwayment' of Purcell Road. We will sign any petition that comes along to stop the 'highwayment' of Purcell Road. That said, is there really and truly anything that will actually stop a government from seizing property under eminent domaine? If, at some future date, the couty or state government believes that an added highway (instead of the current Purcell Road) is desperately needed, is there anything we can do to stop it? I would love to hear an attorney's comment on all this.

RTA yellow card training Sydney link

5/29/2012 03:38:11 pm

Nice blog for the road rules which help in traffic too.Thanks a lot for the blog post.

martin jeter

8/8/2011 09:31:11 am

There's a "blueprint" for future growth in the county called the Comprehensive Plan. This plan shows where the county plans future highways, homes, shopping centers, etc. The county and state allocate money for projects only if they're on this plan.

Right now, Purcell Road is on that plan to be "improved" in the future to be a four-lane divided highway from Rt. 234 to the Prince William Parkway and connecting to Hoadly at the existing intersection. Supervisor Nohe is initiating a process where the community will take a "second look" at that plan and decide if Purcell should be left as-is-not four-laned and connected to the Prince William Parkway. If that happens and the community decides that the County Comprehensive Plan should be changed, the 4 lane road will not be built. Since the new design for the 234/Purcell intersection was influenced by the current long-range plan for Purcell, that intersection construction should really be put on hold until the outcome of the community meetings on Purcell are completed.

Eminent domain is generally available to government for public projects, but the public has a say on those projects through the planning process. We all just have to use that say and stay engaged. As the old proverb says, the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and we need to keep squeakin"!

George S. Harris

9/29/2011 12:48:27 pm

I agree Martin, that this kind of project is perhaps the result of some "unintended consequences." I think what is disturbing is thatthe BOCS thought this was a given and would simply breeze through. It is a part of the very pro-development mentality of certain members of the BOCS. Yes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and we really do need to keep on squeakin'--provided we are given the opportunity. It seems to me this should take place before the election--otherwise someone may get a free ride on this. No pun intended.

Purcell Road

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