Opening of Battlefield Parkway Extension Celebrated

At a brief ceremony held along the Battlefield Parkway Extension on Thursday morning led by VDOT Project Manager Susan Shaw, state and local officials spoke about the collaborative effort and creative fund-gathering required to get the project finished. The ongoing efforts of U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) in support of the project received special acknowledgement.

It joins the four-lane section of Kinkaid Boulevard built by the Town of Leesburg, and “provides an alternate option to U.S. 15 and the U.S. 15 Bypass for accessing the Dulles Greenway and Leesburg Executive Airport,” according to VDOT spokesperson Jennifer McCord.

The project was done under a design/build contract by the Shirley Contracting Co., LLC. Although there was a funding problem early in the construction–which includes a new signalized intersection, twin bridges over the W&OD Regional Park and Tuscarora Creek–it was completed on-time and under budget. One of the memorable challenges was the triple-cell box culvert built under the roadway.

Secretary Pierce Homer addresses Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Loudoun Supervisor Chairman Scott York.

In her remarks, Leesburg Mayor Kristen Umstattd thanked the elected officials and highway department representatives present, and added her thanks to the Leesburg residents who live near the project for their patience and cooperation. “This project will ease the pressure and back-ups on the bypass,” said Umstaddt, adding that work still needed to be done at the other end of the thoroughfare, where Sycolin Road intersects with the bypass. That point was also driven home by Supervisors Chairman Scott York (I-At Large).

Supervisor Kelly Burk (D-Catoctin) pointed out the “quality of life” benefits the new road would bring Leesburg drivers, as well as the advantages that local businesses, emergency services and commuters would enjoy with the opening of the extension. Sha also noted that no fewer than 21 sources had been tapped for funding to complete the project.

Del. Joe may also spoke, noting that the design/build contract was properly executed, and that the project represented “The new wave in transportation, where an integrated plan is used to meet the needs of the people it is meant to serve,” he explained.

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer provided concluding remarks, first praising the successful completion of the project, but adding that had it been proposed in 2009, it could not have been built for years due to the Commonwealth’s current tough financial position.

Elected officials, staff and representatives of VDOT open the Battlefield Parkway Extension on Sept. 3.

Homer explained that the state’s transportation funding comes mainly from state and federal gasoline taxes, and sales tax on new cars–both of which are down from previous years–and the money simply would not have been there. “We need to have other opportunities for transportation funding,” added.

Remarks delivered, the officials gathered for the traditional ribbon-cutting, officially opening the highway. As those in attendance who had parked along the unopened road began to leave, workmen at the Route 7 end of the extension began removing the barricades.