Is anyone else out there just dying from the traffic congestion caused by the light at the intersection of Popes Head Road and the Fairfax County Parkway? Everyday, I can feel my blood pressure rising as I inched my way toward that intersection at 5 MPH only to see maybe 1 or 2 cars out of hundreds making use of that light to turn left. It just seems so crazy that countless hours are wasted by thousands of commuters so a handful of people can shave a few minutes off their drive. It's not like there aren't options like Braddock or Burke Center Parkway. If you agree, please send some feedback to VDOT! http://www.virginiadot.org/info/feedbackform.asp

It's the one with red light camera, right? County would never rid of such a $$ generator. Same for 50MPH speed limit.

Disagree. It is also needed for the right-hand turners from Popes Head onto the parkway because of traffic moving at speed. On my journeys on the parkway from Springfield to Reston, Popes Head isn't the only place where there is a light and slows down sometimes.

This is NoVA and there is traffic, deal with it. We aren't going to just delete intersections because you are impatient.

It's a public road that intersects with a very busy highway (the Parkway). How do you expect people to make a left at that intersection without a light? You're the type of person who would be the first to complain about the lack of a light if YOU used Popes Head.

My wife gets in the same congestion every day on the road home from work and while it is a pain, I agree with justsayin and Get Real that it needs to be there. The only real way to end congestion due to that light would be to "Fair Lakes" the intersection and add ramps and flyovers but I don't think that is realistic or feasible at this time.

Screw you Ken. We love our light. Have you ever considered the other reasons that light is there? Fire and rescue access to hundred of residents maybe? You are no urban engineer. Stop trying to do others jobs.

Isn't this the ideal situation for a diamond-style interchange? No flyovers or cloverleafs needed.

Whoa. Why the hate? He's just throwing out an idea.

I for one agree with Ken. I think he's saying get rid of the light as well as the ability for anybody to turn left at that intersection.

1) You don't need a light for right-hand turners. Just have merge lanes.
2) You can still accommodate fire and rescue folks if you make it for emergency use only. On this point, I would argue the congestion caused by the traffic is more of a detriment to getting fire and rescue to where they need to go.

I don't quite understand the "deal with it" mentality. An overpass doesn't seem likely due to space and cost constraints. This seems like a low cost solution.

A light is clearly needed there, but I think the left turn lanes should be widened. Problem solved!

That light needs to go. Hundreds of cars are stopped in both directions to let a half dozen from Pope's Head go? Get rid of the light, dissalow left turns and crossing and put in some merge lanes for right turners. That's what is needed.

And what is with the name? Is someone anti-Catholic?

I know I misspelled disallow.

An interchange, most likely some variant on a SPUI or diamond, would be nice, but it's simply not important enough a spot to warrant the expenditure.

The light is not needed. There are bigger intersections that do no have a light along the Parkway.

Someone that lives on either side has the clout to have gotten that light there in the first place for just a small residential community. A few cars an hour do not justify stopping all that traffic. Go for ten miles in either direction and you will not find a lighted intersection that doesnt have a business area or major route at the intersection.

The easy alternative if you want to enter at a light go to Braddock on the north end or Burke Centre on the south.

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Screw you Ken. We love our light. Have you ever
> considered the other reasons that light is there?
> Fire and rescue access to hundred of residents
> maybe? You are no urban engineer. Stop trying to
> do others jobs.


What are you saying? Without the light why couldnt a fire truck turn left or right onto Popes Head from the Parkway or cross over the Parkway. In a true emergency they have the right of way anyway if they are using lights and siren.

not needed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The light is not needed. There are bigger
> intersections that do no have a light along the
> Parkway.
>
> Someone that lives on either side has the clout to
> have gotten that light there in the first place
> for just a small residential community. A few cars
> an hour do not justify stopping all that traffic.
> Go for ten miles in either direction and you will
> not find a lighted intersection that doesnt have a
> business area or major route at the intersection.
>
> The easy alternative if you want to enter at a
> light go to Braddock on the north end or Burke
> Centre on the south.


First, that light was installed when the parkway was being built. It was part of JAcks original plans, clout had nothing to do with it. Second, the light is on a sensor and only changes when cars are waiting. If it is so rarely used, why is is always turning red?

cert guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Screw you Ken. We love our light. Have you
> ever
> > considered the other reasons that light is
> there?
> > Fire and rescue access to hundred of residents
> > maybe? You are no urban engineer. Stop trying
> to
> > do others jobs.
>
>
> What are you saying? Without the light why couldnt
> a fire truck turn left or right onto Popes Head
> from the Parkway or cross over the Parkway. In a
> true emergency they have the right of way anyway
> if they are using lights and siren.

If they take the light out they will "kill" the intersection. It will be blocked by barriers and emergency vehicles will be unable to use it. Stop your bitching and move closer to your job.

Look at a google maps and look-up rescue stations. Blocking that intersection would put the houses on the west side of the parkway on popes head would be the most remote in terms of rescue support in the county.

Im going to say this again, you have no education or job related experience that make you a credible to discuss this from an urban planning standpoint.

Why would they close the intersection because there is no light. Plenty of other intersections without a light that are open to cross traffic.

The nearest rescue station is on Burke Centre Parkway, #32, which is controlled by a light at the Parkway so your argument makes no sense. Are you telling me that at an intersection with no light a fire truck will continue on until it gets to one? What kind of logic is that?

If you look at google map as you suggest you will see a lack of housing and no business on Popes Head, it in no way justifys a light at the intersection. Easy access to Popes Head can be made by 123 or Clifton Rd.

JBass Wrote:
>
> Im going to say this again, you have no education
> or job related experience that make you a credible
> to discuss this from an urban planning standpoint.


I'll write what I please. And you know nothing of my education or job related experience.

That intersection clearly puts the needs of the few in the way of the many. You're emergency vehicles thing is a red herring. There could easily be a crossover for emergency vehicles. And lastly, someone has to be the most remote. Who is it now?

KenSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass Wrote:
> >
> > Im going to say this again, you have no
> education
> > or job related experience that make you a
> credible
> > to discuss this from an urban planning
> standpoint.
>
>
> I'll write what I please. And you know nothing of
> my education or job related experience.
>
> That intersection clearly puts the needs of the
> few in the way of the many. You're emergency
> vehicles thing is a red herring. There could
> easily be a crossover for emergency vehicles. And
> lastly, someone has to be the most remote. Who is
> it now?


Based on your subpar understanding of this subject matter I can logically conclude that you do not do urban planning and have never studied it.

How is the emergency vehicle argument a red herring? What part of they would kill the intersection do you not understand. Refer to the intersection just north or waxpool off of 28, just last week they took out the light to make left hand turns onto 28 south, this week, bull dozers plowed it under and placed jersey walls in its place. They are not going to leave the access point open without traffic control devices. I dare you to name one single instance of this in the county or elsewhere, for that matter.

Lastly, your argument that someone must be the most remote shows you have little compassion for human life. Because it takes 10 minutes to get to the most remote house now does not mean that it is okay to make it 15 tomorrow to please you. I bet you dont move for ambulances and fire trucks either, you selfish fucking pig. Go fuck yourself in your shitty springfield or reston townhouse,

it is not needed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why would they close the intersection because
> there is no light. Plenty of other intersections
> without a light that are open to cross traffic.
>
> The nearest rescue station is on Burke Centre
> Parkway, #32, which is controlled by a light at
> the Parkway so your argument makes no sense. Are
> you telling me that at an intersection with no
> light a fire truck will continue on until it gets
> to one? What kind of logic is that?
>
> If you look at google map as you suggest you will
> see a lack of housing and no business on Popes
> Head, it in no way justifys a light at the
> intersection. Easy access to Popes Head can be
> made by 123 or Clifton Rd.

How does noting that engine #32 accesses the parkway via an intersection controlled by a light lend credibility to your argument that they would utilise an uncontrolled intersection. If the light comes out, the median would be extended and jersey walls would block the roads access, leaving the people up popes head waiting for #32 to go down Fairfax station to colchester to popes head. Stop being selfish.

EDIT:
Please name ONE intersection in this county that is not controlled by a traffic device. You cant because there are not any. What part of they will close it off do you not understand. Name one single place, please. Prove me wrong. You cant, it doesnt exist. You honestly think they are going to remove the light and leave the road running into the parkway? Really? C'mon. Use your head, that would give popes head east as much right of way as the parkway. Not going to happen. a 4 way intersection without traffic control, heh. you sir, are retarded.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2011 03:56PM by JBass.

As a property owner, I do not like the light either but it is because I have to wait 10-15 minutes to turn right or left during rush hour just to leave me neighborhood. If any change needs to be made, change it to cycle more to allow homeowners to leave!

For your information I live in a single family home in Fairfax. Not that I owe that information to you, but, you make incorrect assumptions.

Secondly, there is just such a crossover on 7100 between the on and off ramps to eastbound I-66. Less than two miles from Popes Head road.

I understand plenty to put things in your words.

KenSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For your information I live in a single family
> home in Fairfax. Not that I owe that information
> to you, but, you make incorrect assumptions.
>
> Secondly, there is just such a crossover on 7100
> between the on and off ramps to eastbound I-66.
> Less than two miles from Popes Head road.
>
> I understand plenty to put things in your words.


A crossover, but there is no road attached to either side. it is simply a turn around. Go back to thinking hard about this. You just further expose your lack of comprehension on this issue.

EDIT:
How hard is it to understand what an intersection is versus an emergency turn around with no intersecting roadway?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2011 04:00PM by JBass.

Please explain what the light has to do with a fire truck on an emergency call?

Popes Head Homeowner Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As a property owner, I do not like the light
> either but it is because I have to wait 10-15
> minutes to turn right or left during rush hour
> just to leave me neighborhood. If any change needs
> to be made, change it to cycle more to allow
> homeowners to leave!

To use Jbass argument you should move closer to your job.

JBass Wrote:
> EDIT:
> Please name ONE intersection in this county that
> is not controlled by a traffic device. You cant
> because there are not any. What part of they will
> close it off do you not understand. Name one
> single place, please. Prove me wrong. You cant,
> it doesnt exist. You honestly think they are
> going to remove the light and leave the road
> running into the parkway? Really? C'mon. Use
> your head, that would give popes head east as much
> right of way as the parkway. Not going to happen.
> a 4 way intersection without traffic control,
> heh. you sir, are retarded.


Haven't you ever heard of a STOP sign?

I dont get it Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Please explain what the light has to do with a
> fire truck on an emergency call?


How do you not get this? if there is no light, they will be forced to block popes head off completely. Is the fire truck gonna just smash through the concrete barrier?

Do you think they will just have an open intersection? No traffic control device beans NO access for anyone.

Removing the light doesnt mean the intersection will be closed to traffic. Where is that argument coming from?

KenSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass Wrote:
> > EDIT:
> > Please name ONE intersection in this county
> that
> > is not controlled by a traffic device. You
> cant
> > because there are not any. What part of they
> will
> > close it off do you not understand. Name one
> > single place, please. Prove me wrong. You
> cant,
> > it doesnt exist. You honestly think they are
> > going to remove the light and leave the road
> > running into the parkway? Really? C'mon. Use
> > your head, that would give popes head east as
> much
> > right of way as the parkway. Not going to
> happen.
> > a 4 way intersection without traffic control,
> > heh. you sir, are retarded.
>
>
> Haven't you ever heard of a STOP sign?

You think they are going to put a stop sign in to enter the parkway? How many accidents do you imagine that would cause? Why am I letting you troll me. you are either trying to get a rise out of me or are completely inept.

Again, traffic control can be applied to Popes Head by means of a STOP sign.

JBass,

In addition to the crossover on 7100 between the on and off ramps to I-66 that KenSupporter mentioned, I see them all along I-95 and other interstate highways.

Why do you think they won't work?

Any "urban planners" out there who can chime in?

Colchester Road has a stop sign at its intersection with the parkway.

"You think they are going to put a stop sign in to enter the parkway? How many accidents do you imagine that would cause? Why am I letting you troll me. you are either trying to get a rise out of me or are completely inept."

You dont get out much do you? The majority of the cross traffic on the Parkway is controlled by stop signs. The point of the Parkway was to move large amounts of traffic with as little interuption by traffic signals as possible.

help me please Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Removing the light doesnt mean the intersection
> will be closed to traffic. Where is that argument
> coming from?


How do you not get this? Im driving east on popes head and arive at the parkway, without a traffic light/(stop sign debunked above) I would have the right of way to keep driving, right? Why? because without a control device, i am free to keep driving, I would t-bone a car traveling on the parkway every single time. Think long and hard before responding again, Name one INTERSECTION in this county without a traffic control device (Not a crossover or break in the median but an intersection, a place where one road meets the other. Take your lumps, you lost this one.

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> help me please Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Removing the light doesnt mean the intersection
> > will be closed to traffic. Where is that
> argument
> > coming from?
>
>
> How do you not get this? Im driving east on popes
> head and arive at the parkway, without a traffic
> light/(stop sign debunked above) I would have the
> right of way to keep driving, right? Why? because
> without a control device, i am free to keep
> driving, I would t-bone a car traveling on the
> parkway every single time. Think long and hard
> before responding again, Name one INTERSECTION in
> this county without a traffic control device (Not
> a crossover or break in the median but an
> intersection, a place where one road meets the
> other. Take your lumps, you lost this one.


I'll name two. But there are many.

1. Colchester Meadow Road and 7100.
2. Lands End Lane and 7100.

>
> You dont get out much do you? The majority of the
> cross traffic on the Parkway is controlled by stop
> signs. The point of the Parkway was to move large
> amounts of traffic with as little interuption by
> traffic signals as possible.


Majority? What are you smoking? Burke Lake? No. Roberts? no. 123? no. Burke Center Parkway? No Fair Lakes Parkway? no. Braddock? no. 29? no.Monument? no. 50? no.

KenSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > help me please Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Removing the light doesnt mean the
> intersection
> > > will be closed to traffic. Where is that
> > argument
> > > coming from?
> >
> >
> > How do you not get this? Im driving east on
> popes
> > head and arive at the parkway, without a
> traffic
> > light/(stop sign debunked above) I would have
> the
> > right of way to keep driving, right? Why?
> because
> > without a control device, i am free to keep
> > driving, I would t-bone a car traveling on the
> > parkway every single time. Think long and hard
> > before responding again, Name one INTERSECTION
> in
> > this county without a traffic control device
> (Not
> > a crossover or break in the median but an
> > intersection, a place where one road meets the
> > other. Take your lumps, you lost this one.
>
>
> I'll name two. But there are many.
>
> 1. Colchester Meadow Road and 7100.
> 2. Lands End Lane and 7100.

Colchester Meadow Road and 7100 does not cross over. there is no break in the median.

Lands End Lane doesnt even hit the parkway. Majority? laughable. Keep trying.

If that light is gone, as if there aren't enough wrecks already, wait until then. The delays that seem to be a pain now, will be much worse.

Do you mean laudies? Laudies serves one street. 10 houses on both sides to be exact. Popes Head serves and entire region of the county



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2011 04:16PM by JBass.

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> KenSupporter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > JBass Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > help me please Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > Removing the light doesnt mean the
> > intersection
> > > > will be closed to traffic. Where is that
> > > argument
> > > > coming from?
> > >
> > >
> > > How do you not get this? Im driving east on
> > popes
> > > head and arive at the parkway, without a
> > traffic
> > > light/(stop sign debunked above) I would have
> > the
> > > right of way to keep driving, right? Why?
> > because
> > > without a control device, i am free to keep
> > > driving, I would t-bone a car traveling on
> the
> > > parkway every single time. Think long and
> hard
> > > before responding again, Name one
> INTERSECTION
> > in
> > > this county without a traffic control device
> > (Not
> > > a crossover or break in the median but an
> > > intersection, a place where one road meets
> the
> > > other. Take your lumps, you lost this one.
> >
> >
> > I'll name two. But there are many.
> >
> > 1. Colchester Meadow Road and 7100.
> > 2. Lands End Lane and 7100.
>
> Colchester Meadow Road and 7100 does not cross
> over. there is no break in the median.
>
> Lands End Lane doesnt even hit the parkway.
> Majority? laughable. Keep trying.


You are just flat out wrong. There is a break and it does hit the parkway.

You make no sense. Are you comparing a stop sign to a traffic signal? Almost every intersection on the Parkway is controlled by a stop sign. There are few traffic signals for a reason, to keep traffic moving.
To stop four lanes of traffic in rush hour so one lone car can cross over is stupid. The daily backups tell the story.

BTW if there is no traffic control device as you suggest and you approach an intersection you are required by law to stop and yield to the car to your right if it is there ahead of you. You cannot blast through an intersection. The same applies to a traffic signal that is dark due to a power outage.

I would hate to see your driving record if you think otherwise.

Ladues End Lane and Noomes Court. My bad.

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > You dont get out much do you? The majority of
> the
> > cross traffic on the Parkway is controlled by
> stop
> > signs. The point of the Parkway was to move
> large
> > amounts of traffic with as little interuption
> by
> > traffic signals as possible.
>
>
> Majority? What are you smoking? Burke Lake? No.
> Roberts? no. 123? no. Burke Center Parkway? No
> Fair Lakes Parkway? no. Braddock? no. 29?
> no.Monument? no. 50? no

bass, try counting the intersections south of 123, plenty to enter the Parkway with just a stop sign to control them. And yes plenty that justify a light if Popes Head qualifies for one.

you make no sense Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You make no sense. Are you comparing a stop sign
> to a traffic signal? Almost every intersection on
> the Parkway is controlled by a stop sign.

You are just flat out wrong about that. Completely and utterly wrong. There are a few, and maybe 2 that allow you to cross over 7100 at a stop sign. Laudies Lane is one, freds oak is 2, New Rd. makes 3. A majority is a large stretch of the imagination.

JBass Wrote:
Second,
> the light is on a sensor and only changes when
> cars are waiting. If it is so rarely used, why is
> is always turning red?

First, there are plenty of traffic signals around here where the sensor is broken and isn't working.

Second, if I were a VDOT traffic engineer suffering a bad hangover, I could set the minimum green for Pope's Head Road traffic to something wholly inappropriate, like 60 seconds. That will result in Pope's Head Road getting far too much green time for the amount of traffic, regardless of what the sensor is detecting.

At Freds Oak Rd and the Parkway there is a county library and a county garage with plenty of traffic and many large trucks. If they dont qualify Popes Head certainly doesnt. I would guess more cars and trucks come across that road in an hour than all day on Popes Head.

JBass Wrote:
They are not going to leave the access
> point open without traffic control devices. I dare
> you to name one single instance of this in the
> county or elsewhere, for that matter.

The median breaks intended for emergency vehicle use on Interstate highways typically do not feature traffic signals.

I live right around that area, so when I first read the title of the post, I'm thinking no way are they getting rid of that light!

I must admit after reading some of these posts, I'm starting to lean the other way. I sort of agree with what TheEdge said. Having fire and rescue fight their way through all that traffic on the parkway to get to that area seems to be worse.

Let me see if I got this straight. No one is talking about closing that intersection altogether and putting up concrete barriers. The proposal is to:

1) Create high speed merge lanes on both sides of the parkway to allow folks from Popes Head to turn right and merge onto the parkway
2) People can continue to turn right onto Popes Head from the parkway
3) Do something to the middle of the parkway (i.e. gravel) to discourage people from crossing over
4) Force all traffic on either side of Popes Head to turn right

During an emergency, if a firetruck is on the parkway and needs to make a left onto either side of Popes Head, that would work. If a firetruck is on Popes Head and needs to make a left or go straight across, they could still do that by briefly going onto the left side of the road on Popes Head at that intersection to cut over.

......... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass Wrote:
> They are not going to leave the access
> > point open without traffic control devices. I
> dare
> > you to name one single instance of this in the
> > county or elsewhere, for that matter.
>
> The median breaks intended for emergency vehicle
> use on Interstate highways typically do not
> feature traffic signals.


Thats exactly my point, they are median breaks NOT intersections. They do not support any cross street or road, it is simply a break in a divided highway. Popes head is an intersection.

JBassSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> 3) Do something to the middle of the parkway (i.e.
> gravel) to discourage people from crossing over

FG300 curb system or similar. Google it. Emergency vehicles can drive over it, but normal drivers aren't going to want to..

The county and VDOT should make the Popes Head and Fairfax County Parkway intersection setup such that if heading north on the Parkway you can only go east on Popes Head and when heading South you can only go west on Popes Head. Basically eliminate the crossover and don't put in a bridge. There isn't enough traffic to warrant the crossover and there are enough other access points to that area via Braddock/123/Burke Centre to enable people to reach Popes Head with local traffic. They should allow Popes Head traffic heading east to go South on the Parkway and Popes Head traffic heading west to go North on the Parkway. That would help the flow if traffic tremendously between 123 and Braddock Road.

And one other improvement would be to extend the extra lane from the 29 interchange all the way south on the Parkway to Braddock Road (like the northbound lanes are today). Pat Herrity and VDOT, are you listening?

I see what you're both saying. But if popes head only had a stop sign it would be a disaster. There is too many motorists crossing the parkway on popes head or turning left on the parkway from popes head for it to work. Also vehicles on the parkway at that location are moving pretty fast. It would quickly become one of the most dangerous intersections if it only had a stop sign, that's why jbass says it would probably be closed off to cross traffic if the light was removed.

The intersections on the parkway with only stop signs are usually for roads that exit small neighborhoods. Popes head services quite a few residents and many neighborhoods. Popes head is also a good cut through from 123 to the parkway. It needs the light.

JBass Wrote:

> Thats exactly my point, they are median breaks NOT
> intersections. They do not support any cross
> street or road, it is simply a break in a divided
> highway. Popes head is an intersection.

The option exists to close the median at Pope's Head and put median breaks on either side of it for emergency vehicle use, perhaps 1000' on either side. That solves both the emergency vehicle issue and the typical idiot Northern VA driver issue.

Or FG300 curb can be placed to close the median at Pope's Head. Also solves both issues. Even the typical idiot Northern VA driver will quickly get the clue that this is not to be driven over--it's what VDOT used at 28/Braddock Rd.

JBassSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I live right around that area, so when I first
> read the title of the post, I'm thinking no way
> are they getting rid of that light!
>
> I must admit after reading some of these posts,
> I'm starting to lean the other way. I sort of
> agree with what TheEdge said. Having fire and
> rescue fight their way through all that traffic on
> the parkway to get to that area seems to be
> worse.
>
> Let me see if I got this straight. No one is
> talking about closing that intersection altogether
> and putting up concrete barriers. The proposal is
> to:
>
> 1) Create high speed merge lanes on both sides of
> the parkway to allow folks from Popes Head to turn
> right and merge onto the parkway
> 2) People can continue to turn right onto Popes
> Head from the parkway
> 3) Do something to the middle of the parkway (i.e.
> gravel) to discourage people from crossing over
> 4) Force all traffic on either side of Popes Head
> to turn right
>
> During an emergency, if a firetruck is on the
> parkway and needs to make a left onto either side
> of Popes Head, that would work. If a firetruck is
> on Popes Head and needs to make a left or go
> straight across, they could still do that by
> briefly going onto the left side of the road on
> Popes Head at that intersection to cut over.


In theroy that could work. High speed merge lannes for entrance, Right turn only and very long exit lanes for leaving 7100 to turn right turn only onto Popes Head, Plow under the middle of the intersection and create a gravel or other "emergency vehicle" only cross-over.

Still though, this pushes more congestion onto the other options such as Braddock, 123 or Burke Center Parkway.

Personally the BCP light seems to be more of a waste, as the 123 light free clover intersection is less than a mile away.

EDIT: As far as traffic slowing emergency vehicles, the entire parkway has ample shoulder room.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/30/2011 04:35PM by JBass.

Another option would be to add a lane for right-turning traffic out of Pope's Head Road to use to accelerate onto 7100.

And then further down, a lane on the left side of the road for traffic to use to slow down to make a U-turn, and a lane on the other side to accelerate to complete the U-turn.

Anyone who has ever driven US15 north of Frederick has seen what I'm talking about.

The issue at hand is the small amount of traffic on Popes Head and the perfectly viable alternatives to gaining access to the Parkway. You need only go a mile up or down the road to find an intersection with a light.
Allowing a handful of drivers to stop four lanes of traffic moving at speed doesnt make sense.

JBass,

I was with you until this post. Anytime anyone has to resort to name calling, it totally ruins their argument...

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> KenSupporter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > JBass Wrote:
> > >
> > > Im going to say this again, you have no
> > education
> > > or job related experience that make you a
> > credible
> > > to discuss this from an urban planning
> > standpoint.
> >
> >
> > I'll write what I please. And you know nothing
> of
> > my education or job related experience.
> >
> > That intersection clearly puts the needs of the
> > few in the way of the many. You're emergency
> > vehicles thing is a red herring. There could
> > easily be a crossover for emergency vehicles.
> And
> > lastly, someone has to be the most remote. Who
> is
> > it now?
>
>
> Based on your subpar understanding of this subject
> matter I can logically conclude that you do not do
> urban planning and have never studied it.
>
> How is the emergency vehicle argument a red
> herring? What part of they would kill the
> intersection do you not understand. Refer to the
> intersection just north or waxpool off of 28, just
> last week they took out the light to make left
> hand turns onto 28 south, this week, bull dozers
> plowed it under and placed jersey walls in its
> place. They are not going to leave the access
> point open without traffic control devices. I dare
> you to name one single instance of this in the
> county or elsewhere, for that matter.
>
> Lastly, your argument that someone must be the
> most remote shows you have little compassion for
> human life. Because it takes 10 minutes to get to
> the most remote house now does not mean that it is
> okay to make it 15 tomorrow to please you. I bet
> you dont move for ambulances and fire trucks
> either, you selfish fucking pig. Go fuck yourself
> in your shitty springfield or reston townhouse,

Why the personal attack? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass,
>
> I was with you until this post. Anytime anyone
> has to resort to name calling, it totally ruins
> their argument...
>
> JBass Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > KenSupporter Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > JBass Wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Im going to say this again, you have no
> > > education
> > > > or job related experience that make you a
> > > credible
> > > > to discuss this from an urban planning
> > > standpoint.
> > >
> > >
> > > I'll write what I please. And you know
> nothing
> > of
> > > my education or job related experience.
> > >
> > > That intersection clearly puts the needs of
> the
> > > few in the way of the many. You're emergency
> > > vehicles thing is a red herring. There could
> > > easily be a crossover for emergency vehicles.
>
> > And
> > > lastly, someone has to be the most remote.
> Who
> > is
> > > it now?
> >
> >
> > Based on your subpar understanding of this
> subject
> > matter I can logically conclude that you do not
> do
> > urban planning and have never studied it.
> >
> > How is the emergency vehicle argument a red
> > herring? What part of they would kill the
> > intersection do you not understand. Refer to
> the
> > intersection just north or waxpool off of 28,
> just
> > last week they took out the light to make left
> > hand turns onto 28 south, this week, bull
> dozers
> > plowed it under and placed jersey walls in its
> > place. They are not going to leave the access
> > point open without traffic control devices. I
> dare
> > you to name one single instance of this in the
> > county or elsewhere, for that matter.
> >
> > Lastly, your argument that someone must be the
> > most remote shows you have little compassion
> for
> > human life. Because it takes 10 minutes to get
> to
> > the most remote house now does not mean that it
> is
> > okay to make it 15 tomorrow to please you. I
> bet
> > you dont move for ambulances and fire trucks
> > either, you selfish fucking pig. Go fuck
> yourself
> > in your shitty springfield or reston townhouse,


I concur. I actually thought that before posting. I forgot I was in FFX main forum and not battling idiots in off-topic. Emotion got the best of me. My apologies.

There is an even easier solution. Program the traffic lights to enforce a time based restriction. For example, during morning and afternoon rush hour, disallow all left turns at that intersection. There are plenty of examples of that in the county and elsewhere.

There would be no issues with fire and rescue, and cost would be a tiny fraction of putting in an overpass.

The J Man Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is an even easier solution. Program the
> traffic lights to enforce a time based
> restriction. For example, during morning and
> afternoon rush hour, disallow all left turns at
> that intersection. There are plenty of examples
> of that in the county and elsewhere.
>
> There would be no issues with fire and rescue, and
> cost would be a tiny fraction of putting in an
> overpass.


I had no idea this would be such a heated discussion. Wow!

The J Man's idea is so simple and perfect!

I remember another post about this topic saying the original 7100 plans did NOT have popes head connecting to the park way. Funny how everyone makes up facts to support their claims. Original plans or not, times change, and when the majority are faced with such a HUGE obvious option such as removing the light... Well, politicians lose jobs when they don't listen. And I can assure you right now more rich folks past popes head are getting annoyed than those in your community.

REMOVE THE LIGHT!

JBass,

Wait a minute... All the arguments about affecting the timeliness of fire and rescue response do not apply to the traffic signal at Burke Center Parkway?

One more point, you argue that every minute counts. Yes, the parkway shoulders are wide, but when was the last time you saw a firetruck barreling down the shoulder at 50?

Absolutely classic! As long as it doesn't affect you, it's wasteful and inefficient. When something does impact you, you're right and everyone else is stupid and living in shitty town houses!


JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBassSupporter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I live right around that area, so when I first
> > read the title of the post, I'm thinking no way
> > are they getting rid of that light!
> >
> > I must admit after reading some of these posts,
> > I'm starting to lean the other way. I sort of
> > agree with what TheEdge said. Having fire and
> > rescue fight their way through all that traffic
> on
> > the parkway to get to that area seems to be
> > worse.
> >
> > Let me see if I got this straight. No one is
> > talking about closing that intersection
> altogether
> > and putting up concrete barriers. The proposal
> is
> > to:
> >
> > 1) Create high speed merge lanes on both sides
> of
> > the parkway to allow folks from Popes Head to
> turn
> > right and merge onto the parkway
> > 2) People can continue to turn right onto Popes
> > Head from the parkway
> > 3) Do something to the middle of the parkway
> (i.e.
> > gravel) to discourage people from crossing over
> > 4) Force all traffic on either side of Popes
> Head
> > to turn right
> >
> > During an emergency, if a firetruck is on the
> > parkway and needs to make a left onto either
> side
> > of Popes Head, that would work. If a firetruck
> is
> > on Popes Head and needs to make a left or go
> > straight across, they could still do that by
> > briefly going onto the left side of the road on
> > Popes Head at that intersection to cut over.
>
>
> In theroy that could work. High speed merge
> lannes for entrance, Right turn only and very long
> exit lanes for leaving 7100 to turn right turn
> only onto Popes Head, Plow under the middle of the
> intersection and create a gravel or other
> "emergency vehicle" only cross-over.
>
> Still though, this pushes more congestion onto the
> other options such as Braddock, 123 or Burke
> Center Parkway.
>
> Personally the BCP light seems to be more of a
> waste, as the 123 light free clover intersection
> is less than a mile away.
>
> EDIT: As far as traffic slowing emergency
> vehicles, the entire parkway has ample shoulder
> room.

Thats funny Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I remember another post about this topic saying
> the original 7100 plans did NOT have popes head
> connecting to the park way. Funny how everyone
> makes up facts to support their claims. Original
> plans or not, times change, and when the majority
> are faced with such a HUGE obvious option such as
> removing the light... Well, politicians lose jobs
> when they don't listen. And I can assure you
> right now more rich folks past popes head are
> getting annoyed than those in your community.
>
> REMOVE THE LIGHT!


Explain to me exactly how the plans could NOT have popes head connecting. You mean that the original plans had it flying over popes head? If that were the case they would have clover leafed it to begin with. I can assure you that they intended on there being a light there from the day they broke ground.

Come on!!!!! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> JBass,
>
> Wait a minute... All the arguments about
> affecting the timeliness of fire and rescue
> response do not apply to the traffic signal at
> Burke Center Parkway?
>
> One more point, you argue that every minute
> counts. Yes, the parkway shoulders are wide, but
> when was the last time you saw a firetruck
> barreling down the shoulder at 50?
>
> Absolutely classic! As long as it doesn't affect
> you, it's wasteful and inefficient. When
> something does impact you, you're right and
> everyone else is stupid and living in shitty town
> houses!
>
>
> JBass Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > JBassSupporter Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I live right around that area, so when I
> first
> > > read the title of the post, I'm thinking no
> way
> > > are they getting rid of that light!
> > >
> > > I must admit after reading some of these
> posts,
> > > I'm starting to lean the other way. I sort
> of
> > > agree with what TheEdge said. Having fire
> and
> > > rescue fight their way through all that
> traffic
> > on
> > > the parkway to get to that area seems to be
> > > worse.
> > >
> > > Let me see if I got this straight. No one is
> > > talking about closing that intersection
> > altogether
> > > and putting up concrete barriers. The
> proposal
> > is
> > > to:
> > >
> > > 1) Create high speed merge lanes on both
> sides
> > of
> > > the parkway to allow folks from Popes Head to
> > turn
> > > right and merge onto the parkway
> > > 2) People can continue to turn right onto
> Popes
> > > Head from the parkway
> > > 3) Do something to the middle of the parkway
> > (i.e.
> > > gravel) to discourage people from crossing
> over
> > > 4) Force all traffic on either side of Popes
> > Head
> > > to turn right
> > >
> > > During an emergency, if a firetruck is on the
> > > parkway and needs to make a left onto either
> > side
> > > of Popes Head, that would work. If a
> firetruck
> > is
> > > on Popes Head and needs to make a left or go
> > > straight across, they could still do that by
> > > briefly going onto the left side of the road
> on
> > > Popes Head at that intersection to cut over.
> >
> >
> > In theroy that could work. High speed merge
> > lannes for entrance, Right turn only and very
> long
> > exit lanes for leaving 7100 to turn right turn
> > only onto Popes Head, Plow under the middle of
> the
> > intersection and create a gravel or other
> > "emergency vehicle" only cross-over.
> >
> > Still though, this pushes more congestion onto
> the
> > other options such as Braddock, 123 or Burke
> > Center Parkway.
> >
> > Personally the BCP light seems to be more of a
> > waste, as the 123 light free clover
> intersection
> > is less than a mile away.
> >
> > EDIT: As far as traffic slowing emergency
> > vehicles, the entire parkway has ample shoulder
> > room.

The BCP light was added after the fact. Originally there were no houses down there by 7100 as there was no road there begin with. Access was granted via 123 and Popes Head. The BCP light was added later as a courtesy, to increase traffic flow, not decrease it. Do you understand now?

JBass Wrote:
If that were
> the case they would have clover leafed it to begin
> with.

A diamond interchange would have been far more likely, if there were going to be any type of grade-separated interchange at all.

The traffic volume on Pope's Head Road does not justify a cloverleaf. Braddock Rd. isn't even a cloverleaf.

Tonight I went right by Popes head road without having to slow down. There were about four cars waiting on Popes Head heading wes. One turning right and about three waiting to cross or turn left. I still don't think it warrants a light.

I will caveat that by remembering a few years ago when a whole family was killed turning left in a mini-van from the parkway to Freds Oak road. Although that could still happen with a light.

I avoid that area like the plague.

KenSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tonight I went right by Popes head road without
> having to slow down. There were about four cars
> waiting on Popes Head heading wes. One turning
> right and about three waiting to cross or turn
> left. I still don't think it warrants a light.
>
> I will caveat that by remembering a few years ago
> when a whole family was killed turning left in a
> mini-van from the parkway to Freds Oak road.
> Although that could still happen with a light.

So there were waiting cars and you went right through, but you still want the light pulled? Thats plain silly.

A whopping three cars, compared to scores when the parkway light is red.

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Come on!!!!! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > JBass,
> >
> > Wait a minute... All the arguments about
> > affecting the timeliness of fire and rescue
> > response do not apply to the traffic signal at
> > Burke Center Parkway?
> >
> > One more point, you argue that every minute
> > counts. Yes, the parkway shoulders are wide,
> but
> > when was the last time you saw a firetruck
> > barreling down the shoulder at 50?
> >
> > Absolutely classic! As long as it doesn't
> affect
> > you, it's wasteful and inefficient. When
> > something does impact you, you're right and
> > everyone else is stupid and living in shitty
> town
> > houses!
> >
> >
> > JBass Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > JBassSupporter Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > I live right around that area, so when I
> > first
> > > > read the title of the post, I'm thinking no
> > way
> > > > are they getting rid of that light!
> > > >
> > > > I must admit after reading some of these
> > posts,
> > > > I'm starting to lean the other way. I sort
> > of
> > > > agree with what TheEdge said. Having fire
> > and
> > > > rescue fight their way through all that
> > traffic
> > > on
> > > > the parkway to get to that area seems to be
> > > > worse.
> > > >
> > > > Let me see if I got this straight. No one
> is
> > > > talking about closing that intersection
> > > altogether
> > > > and putting up concrete barriers. The
> > proposal
> > > is
> > > > to:
> > > >
> > > > 1) Create high speed merge lanes on both
> > sides
> > > of
> > > > the parkway to allow folks from Popes Head
> to
> > > turn
> > > > right and merge onto the parkway
> > > > 2) People can continue to turn right onto
> > Popes
> > > > Head from the parkway
> > > > 3) Do something to the middle of the
> parkway
> > > (i.e.
> > > > gravel) to discourage people from crossing
> > over
> > > > 4) Force all traffic on either side of
> Popes
> > > Head
> > > > to turn right
> > > >
> > > > During an emergency, if a firetruck is on
> the
> > > > parkway and needs to make a left onto
> either
> > > side
> > > > of Popes Head, that would work. If a
> > firetruck
> > > is
> > > > on Popes Head and needs to make a left or
> go
> > > > straight across, they could still do that
> by
> > > > briefly going onto the left side of the
> road
> > on
> > > > Popes Head at that intersection to cut
> over.
> > >
> > >
> > > In theroy that could work. High speed merge
> > > lannes for entrance, Right turn only and very
> > long
> > > exit lanes for leaving 7100 to turn right
> turn
> > > only onto Popes Head, Plow under the middle
> of
> > the
> > > intersection and create a gravel or other
> > > "emergency vehicle" only cross-over.
> > >
> > > Still though, this pushes more congestion
> onto
> > the
> > > other options such as Braddock, 123 or Burke
> > > Center Parkway.
> > >
> > > Personally the BCP light seems to be more of
> a
> > > waste, as the 123 light free clover
> > intersection
> > > is less than a mile away.
> > >
> > > EDIT: As far as traffic slowing emergency
> > > vehicles, the entire parkway has ample
> shoulder
> > > room.
>
> The BCP light was added after the fact.
> Originally there were no houses down there by 7100
> as there was no road there begin with. Access was
> granted via 123 and Popes Head. The BCP light was
> added later as a courtesy, to increase traffic
> flow, not decrease it. Do you understand now?

No, I don't understand. If you're suggesting that the light at BCP is wasteful because there are alternate routes nearby, the same can be said of Popes Head.

I fail to see how the installation date makes a difference in this discussion. Things change. Given current usage and traffic patterns, I think both lights are wasteful and should be reassessed for its effectiveness in balancing safety and traffic throughput.

Before you attack me for being selfish for valuing time over safety or accusing me of not pulling over for firetrucks with zero context, let me make one more point. I'm not suggesting that VDOT come out tomorrow and remove that light. Let's at least assess the situation and see if we can find a right balance and make an improvement.

Dude, that's how screwed up your perspective is with this crazy traffic. You think you went right through, because you were going maybe 20 MPH instead of 5 MPH!

I was going home around 6:00 today, and the back up started back at 29. The only reason it was tolerable today is because the weather is amazing. If it was dark (as it will be soon) or there was a single drop of water on the ground, that would have taken 30 minutes to get through that 3 mile stretch of road.

JBass Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> KenSupporter Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Tonight I went right by Popes head road without
> > having to slow down. There were about four
> cars
> > waiting on Popes Head heading wes. One turning
> > right and about three waiting to cross or turn
> > left. I still don't think it warrants a light.
> >
> > I will caveat that by remembering a few years
> ago
> > when a whole family was killed turning left in
> a
> > mini-van from the parkway to Freds Oak road.
> > Although that could still happen with a light.
>
> So there were waiting cars and you went right
> through, but you still want the light pulled?
> Thats plain silly.

I used to think that the light was necessary because of the fact that if you're trying to turn left, you're gambling with your life. With that being said, over the last few years it's clear that the the light is obsolete and more of a hinderance. It's only a matter of years before traffic will back up to Fair Lakes on a normal basis.

It needs to go, but on the flip side, there is no other viable alternative if you're trying to turn left. It sucks to travel south to the BCP to turn and go back to the north, but that makes the most sense. That intersection is not nearly as bad.

__________________________________
That's not a ladybug, that's a cannapiller.

justsayin Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Disagree. It is also needed for the right-hand
> turners from Popes Head onto the parkway because
> of traffic moving at speed. On my journeys on the
> parkway from Springfield to Reston, Popes Head
> isn't the only place where there is a light and
> slows down sometimes.
>
> This is NoVA and there is traffic, deal with it.
> We aren't going to just delete intersections
> because you are impatient.

It's not a matter of being impatient. I get that there is a crap load of traffic everywhere these days, and sometimes we all have to wait. I get that at Fair Lakes. When you have two major intersections, there's no getting around it. I'll happily wait for that light to turn.

That's not the situation at Popes Head. You have miles and miles of backup on one set of travel lanes, and just a handful of cars in the other. That intersection is pure and simple a bottleneck.

I'm not an urban planner, and I'll proudly admit my education is limited (so if you want to call me uneducated, JBass, go ahead). I'm just applying common sense here, and I'll take that over some urban planning mumbo-jumbo any day.

KenSupporter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Tonight I went right by Popes head road without
> having to slow down. There were about four cars
> waiting on Popes Head heading wes. One turning
> right and about three waiting to cross or turn
> left. I still don't think it warrants a light.
>
> I will caveat that by remembering a few years ago
> when a whole family was killed turning left in a
> mini-van from the parkway to Freds Oak road.
> Although that could still happen with a light.

Yes, that accident was tragic. But that logic would suggest that we need lights at every intersection.

While I agree with the OP's point about getting rid of that light, I disagree with others' view about replacing it with stop signs. To me, it's crazy to have any intersections (traffic light or stop signs) at all at that stretch of the parkway. None of these streets mentioned in this thread so far are major roadways. We're not talking about disrupting a huge amount of traffic here. While it's clearly not as direct or convenient, there are always alternates. Turning right and back-tracking at a safe location is the way to go.

I have a problem with long-distance commuters trying to force through a change of access into and out of communities because they have to deal with traffic for 3 hours during the am and pm rush. The rest of the time + weekends it's no big deal. But altering access can be a big inconvenience for thousands of local residents and it sucks being asked to drive an extra 10 miles on a no traffic weekend to accommodate 6 hours of rush hour traffic on week days.

VDOT will be repainting lane markings on the center lane of westbound Popes Head at 7100 to allow right hand turns under a green signal sometime this fall. I don't really have an issue waiting to turn left onto Popes Head from 7100 South, but cars regularly back up to the garden center in the 7-8am time period and it is not unusual to wait for two light cycles during most of the morning commute.

Without a light at that intersection it would be nearly impossible to access 7100 North.

With all that being said, at the end of the day, it seems to me, and this goes without saying, that anyone who thinks the light should stay is a troll.

There's no if, ans or buts in this argument. It's over. The light is ridiculous. around it.

There are a half-dozen ways to get on the parkway for people on either side of Pope's head. Once the Fair Lakes intersection is done and that light no longer regulates southbound traffic where the next stop is Popes head, it wont matter. Traffic will backup from Popes Head to Fair Lakes making the removal of the light a huge waste.

If they are not going to remove the light at Popes head, they need to stop the construction on Fair Lakes and wait for gridlock.

I don't give a shit about Pope's Head/7100. I don't go that far.

The 7100 intersection that needs to be CLOSED is Huntsman Blvd. That fucking light backs up 7100 northbound to Rolling Rd (or worse) almost every night.

I don't care if those Huntsman motherfuckers have to drive to Richmond to get out of there. I want to get home! Put some trash bags over those lights, drag a few Jersey barriers across Huntsman and call it a day!

All the lights are fucking retarded on a road built to move traffic. One cry-baby fuck-stick after another cried to some butt buddy ass licking politician to get a light for the neighborhood and now the parkway sucks.

NOVA sux. Fuck this place. I can't wait for China to gang-rape this country for our natural resources as re-paymnet for the loans we'll default on. We all deserve it.

faReal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All the lights are fucking retarded on a road
> built to move traffic. One cry-baby fuck-stick
> after another cried to some butt buddy ass licking
> politician to get a light for the neighborhood and
> now the parkway sucks.

Except that light was there from the very beginning.

You're a clueless donkey.

You think the first drop of asphalt was dropped at Popes head? Or Popes head is the oldest road intersecting with 7100?

Sorry but the parkway began before that light existed.

lies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're a clueless donkey.
>
> You think the first drop of asphalt was dropped at
> Popes head? Or Popes head is the oldest road
> intersecting with 7100?
>
> Sorry but the parkway began before that light
> existed.


No. I meant that it has been there since the beginning of ti,e. God himself put that light in.

Im saying that that light has been there since that section of the parkway opened up. IT wasnt added after the fact because the locals complained. It has been there since the very first car traveled that section.

For context: I know for a fact it was there when that section opened as I have stated so in a thread that well precedes this one.

Re: Whats the fastest you have ever driven on a Fairfax County Street/Toll Road/Parkway/Avenue/Highway etc... ?
Posted by: JBass ()
Date: July 21, 2011 09:56AM

[] Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Considering anything 20 over the limit over 80 in
> this state is a Class 1 demeanor and radars will
> get you fucked...you either need balls of steel or
> brains of a fuckwad to hit speeds mentioned in
> here in such a highly patrolled and crammed area
> like FFX county.


For the record, I was on FFX county parkway BEFORE it was opened. The section between Burke and Popes head was completed but not in use, In retrospect, it was indeed pretty fucking stupid.

Lot of rich folks live on Popes Head, don't they?

Popes Head is a winding one lane in each direction road with very few people living on it by comparision to other intersections with no lights.
The intent of the Parkway in the beginning was to move lots of traffic with as few lights as possible.
The Popes Head light was obviously placed there to benefit some influential person back in the day.

I live on Popes Head near the parkway and I would be more than happy if the intersection is closed. It has become a commuter cut through nightmare for the residents. To make matters worse, there is a long term plan to connect the intersection with a new road that will run from Popes Head to Shirley Gate at Braddock. This is meant to alleviate traffic going through downtown Fairfax city. Also, all the wooded area to the east of the parkway from Popes Head to Braddock is owned by the park authority, who has plans for about 20 sports fields there with entrance at Popes Head as well. So I don't think things will improve there until they invent flying cars.

ok this is for that retarded monkey JBass. I don't pay much attention to the roads I pass on the parkway because I am too busy texting, but there are two roads barely south of Popes that CUT ACROSS THE PARKWAY without signals for traffic control (Colchester Meadow Ln, Laudes End Ln).

So to protest that the County could not do that with Popes Head makes you, and there is really no way for you to provide counter-point, argue, dismiss or deny the fact that you, JBass, are a fucking retard. Seriously, your exact quote was that Colchester does not have a break in the median. It does, and thus, any post you ever make heretoforthwith can absolutely be ignored as the rambling of a fucking retard. Please change your FFU name. It's mud.

I mean seriously. A retard.Actually anyone who said anything about 'that stretch of road shouldn't have stop signs' is a fucking retard. There are two roads 'on that stretch of road' south of Popes Head where everyday the people who live on those roads have to cross the parkway with no lights. They must be magical pixies to be able to accomplish such a super human feat.

Anyways, I just wanted to point out that JBass is a retard and I only noticed those roads on Friday because my battery died on my phone and I couldn't text the whole way home.

Also I'm the guy who leaves a 200 yard gap going through stop lights because I'm texting.

wizdom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ok this is for that retarded monkey JBass. I don't
> pay much attention to the roads I pass on the
> parkway because I am too busy texting, but there
> are two roads barely south of Popes that CUT
> ACROSS THE PARKWAY without signals for traffic
> control (Colchester Meadow Ln, Laudes End Ln).
>
> So to protest that the County could not do that
> with Popes Head makes you, and there is really no
> way for you to provide counter-point, argue,
> dismiss or deny the fact that you, JBass, are a
> fucking retard. Seriously, your exact quote was
> that Colchester does not have a break in the
> median. It does, and thus, any post you ever make
> heretoforthwith can absolutely be ignored as the
> rambling of a fucking retard. Please change your
> FFU name. It's mud.
>
> I mean seriously. A retard.Actually anyone who
> said anything about 'that stretch of road
> shouldn't have stop signs' is a fucking retard.
> There are two roads 'on that stretch of road'
> south of Popes Head where everyday the people who
> live on those roads have to cross the parkway with
> no lights. They must be magical pixies to be able
> to accomplish such a super human feat.
>
> Anyways, I just wanted to point out that JBass is
> a retard and I only noticed those roads on Friday
> because my battery died on my phone and I couldn't
> text the whole way home.
>
> Also I'm the guy who leaves a 200 yard gap going
> through stop lights because I'm texting.


Silly silly boy.

I'm not saying it is correct to have a light at Popes Head and the PKWY but one of the reasons the light is there is simply because of VDOTs classification of Popes Head Road. Popes Head Road, RT 654 is listed as a secondary road. Actually also receives great snow removal service.

Bean brain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm not saying it is correct to have a light at
> Popes Head and the PKWY but one of the reasons the
> light is there is simply because of VDOTs
> classification of Popes Head Road. Popes Head
> Road, RT 654 is listed as a secondary road.
> Actually also receives great snow removal service.


Every VDOT road that is not a primary road is a secondary road. So Popes Head is classified the same way as a dirt road or a subdivision street.

Popes Head also has a State Route number (654) assigned. It may be a coincidence but most if not all State Route roads that intersect 7100 have stop lights.
We can cut though all the typing, if someone really wants to know why the light is there and if it can be removed contact VDOT.

It was obvious from the start the light was placed there to please someone who was in a position to have it done. Some politician or maybe some builder with alot of money. There just isn't enough traffic on that road to justify the light.

If you travel the road you will see very few homes by comparison to other cross streets further south on the parkway. Freds Oak Rd comes to mind, there is a library and a county garage with heavy equipment trying to cross. If they didnt justify a light Popes Head doesnt even come close to needing one.

I live ON Popes Head Rd west of the Parkway - and I say KILL THE LIGHT!!! Sure that might make it a little harder for us to get on/off the parkway, but there's Colchester to Braddock which is an extra one or two minutes (or actually saves time when trying to head north on the parkway and waiting 6-7 minutes for the light to switch).

I say kill the light and place a barrier across the parkway to cut down on those Centreville and Manassas FUCKERS who use Popes Head Rd as their own dragstrip to test out their rice burners and cut to Clifton Rd. If you don't live in 22030 or 20124, you're not fucking welcome on Popes Head Rd.

Bean brain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Popes Head also has a State Route number (654)
> assigned. It may be a coincidence but most if not
> all State Route roads that intersect 7100 have
> stop lights.
> We can cut though all the typing, if someone
> really wants to know why the light is there and if
> it can be removed contact VDOT.

All roads that are maintained by VDOT have state route numbers. Everything above 600 is considered a secondary route and can also be duplicated on different roads in other counties.

Everything below 600 is a primary route and is never duplicated.

So, the bottom line: Pope Head's route number has zero to do with the traffic light. I guarantee you that it's route number was assigned back when that part of Fairfax was filled with farms and rednecks.

Wow - just check out the cars from popes head trying to turn right and go north on FFX co pkwy during rush hour in the morning. I can count 30 there waiting most mornings, about 8:20. They even take the lane that's supposed to just go straight, west bound on Pope's Head, and then turn right with the other lane. (And end up driving in the oncoming lane of traffic to get to that lane, it's so backed up) They can only go when the light turns green - there's too much traffic otherwise. It's a mess. Take a look before you post.


what I have seen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> At Freds Oak Rd and the Parkway there is a county
> library and a county garage with plenty of traffic
> and many large trucks. If they dont qualify Popes
> Head certainly doesnt. I would guess more cars and
> trucks come across that road in an hour than all
> day on Popes Head.

I've timed it, the light lasts 4 minutes. Popes Head waits 4 minutes to cross. I don't think lights get much longer. Wish it gone, get your wish, and the traffic flowing through there might just be joining you on your road next.

Careful what you wish for. It's there for a reason. And there is practically no one on the west side of popes head - it's all east of the parkway in the morning. I can see the accidents now, with all the speeders hitting the people in the right hand turn/going north on the pkwy. Again, there for a reason.


righteous Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> With all that being said, at the end of the day,
> it seems to me, and this goes without saying, that
> anyone who thinks the light should stay is a
> troll.
>
> There's no if, ans or buts in this argument. It's
> over. The light is ridiculous. around it.
>
> There are a half-dozen ways to get on the parkway
> for people on either side of Pope's head. Once the
> Fair Lakes intersection is done and that light no
> longer regulates southbound traffic where the next
> stop is Popes head, it wont matter. Traffic will
> backup from Popes Head to Fair Lakes making the
> removal of the light a huge waste.
>
> If they are not going to remove the light at Popes
> head, they need to stop the construction on Fair
> Lakes and wait for gridlock.

you're just plain wrong Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wow - just check out the cars from popes head
> trying to turn right and go north on FFX co pkwy
> during rush hour in the morning. I can count 30
> there waiting most mornings, about 8:20. They
> even take the lane that's supposed to just go
> straight, west bound on Pope's Head, and then turn
> right with the other lane. (And end up driving in
> the oncoming lane of traffic to get to that lane,
> it's so backed up) They can only go when the
> light turns green - there's too much traffic
> otherwise. It's a mess. Take a look before you
> post.
>
>

That traffic is mostly cut through from 123, they do not live on Popes Head. I know because I sometimes use it as well. Or are you telling me all those trucks and cars are from the few houses located on Popes Head east of the Parkway.

You should be happy to block that intersection then you could have your own quiet little winding hillbilly roads like you want.

no you are wrong Wrote:
> That traffic is mostly cut through from 123, they
> do not live on Popes Head. I know because I
> sometimes use it as well. Or are you telling me
> all those trucks and cars are from the few houses
> located on Popes Head east of the Parkway.

+1 I live west of Ox road and I use that cut-through all the time. I have 5 alternatives to get on 7100 that I will happily use if/when they take that light out.
There's big money though with the residents of Pope's Head. The Saudi Academy of indoctrination for Jihad probably chipped in a bit as well. It's not surprising that there's a light there and it would be more surprising if it went away :(

KillTheLight Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I say kill the light and place a barrier across
> the parkway to cut down on those Centreville and
> Manassas FUCKERS who use Popes Head Rd as their
> own dragstrip to test out their rice burners and
> cut to Clifton Rd. If you don't live in 22030 or
> 20124, you're not fucking welcome on Popes Head
> Rd.

KillTheLight...fuck you, socialist bee-yotch! I pay taxes to maintain that road just like you do. If I wanna' turn myself into a greasy spot on Popes Head Road, that's my fucking business. Now get the fuck out of my way.

Ever heard of a racetrack?. Your putting other lives at risk. I could care less about your life. You obviously, "Don't give a shit".

You think at a high rate of speed you'll have time to react when a deer jumps out in front of you on that two lane sinuous road?. ESPECIALLY AFTER DARK?.

GROW UP & WAKE UP, kid.