10 Important Reasons To Restore Western Corridor and Other Transportation Options In Loudoun County’s Master Plan.
Over the years the Western Transportation Corridor has been on and off Loudoun County’s Comprehensive Plan. It currently is off. Given the fact that Loudoun is one of the nation’s fastest growing counties and that its population will double in the next 20 years, the need to restore and protect a Western Corridor is obvious and urgent. Reasons include:
1. Loudoun Needs Every Option. Under the new Master Plan, Loudoun’s population will more than double in the next 20 years. Every transportation option must be protected.
2. Dulles’ Future Depends on It. The Western Corridor is the only facility that can improve passenger, freight and employee access to Dulles Airport from the north, west and south.
3. US 15’s Future Demands It. Protecting a Western Corridor is essential to saving historic US 15. Without a Western Corridor, US 15 becomes a de facto Western Corridor.
4. Regional Links Essential. A Western Corridor is vital to connect Loudoun’s economy with the region’s and to keep teachers, healthcare and other key professionals in Loudoun County.
5. It’s a Smart Growth Solution. A Western Corridor can be a unique, innovative parkway with limited access points around which future growth can be focused.
6. Protect While Studying. The Western Corridor Environmental Impact Statement study must be completed to determine need, benefits and options. Restoring the western corridor to the plan increases pressure on the Commonwealth to complete the EIS.
7. To Cross the Potomac a Corridor Must Reach the Potomac. Everyone agrees that a Western Corridor must not terminate at Route 7. Failing to protect a corridor to Route 7 means no corridor to extend across Route 7 and the Potomac River will exist.
8. It’s an Important Maryland Bargaining Chip. If Loudoun is serious about providing a US 15 Potomac crossing alternative, it must restore a corridor to its Master Plan. Without a corridor, Maryland has no reason to talk.
9. A Bridge Without a Corridor Is a Bridge to Nowhere. Waiting until Maryland agrees on a bridge location risks that Loudoun will have no corridor with which to connect when an agreement is reached.
10. No Reason Exists to Remove the Western Corridor Now. No harm and much good can come about by restoring the power line corridor or designating a preferred local option in the Master Plan.