When will something be done about the dangerous intersection on Route 50 just before Target that provides access to the access road that parallels 50? Over Labor Day weekend, an elderly couple was killed at this intersection. There have been two more accidents since. In the two years I have lived in close proximity to this intersection, I have seen at least half a dozen accidents. There will certainly be more. The intersection is poorly designed. There is no left-turn lane from 50. There are no left-turn arrows in either direction. Cars coming out of Target rush to make the short light, almost always running the stop signs posted just before the intersection. Even walking across the intersection is dangerous.

I wrote a letter to Supervisor Gross, and copied the commander and lieutenant of the local police station detailing the problem, and asking what is being done to solve it. That was more than six weeks ago. I have received no response, and in the meantime, two more accidents (that I am aware of) have occurred at that intersection.

There are several options, including widening 50 to allow for dedicated left-hand turn lanes; adding left-turn lights for the cross-traffic; improving the signage; even closing down that intersection entirely. (Traffic can use the ramp just west of the intersection to get up to Target and Safeway.) Certainly there is a cost associated with each of these solutions, but doing nothing will only lead to more accidents and additional fatalities.

My understanding is that when Target moved in, they in cooperation with local homeowner associations tried to get changes to the intersection implemented but ultimately did not succeed. The intervening years have clearly demonstrated the intersection is dangerous. How many more accidents must occur--how many more lives lost--before something is done?

Jamie Todd Rubin

Falls Church

I completely agree that intersection is dangerous.

Notify VDOT too.

Here here! Change that intersection! Those access roads and stop signs always drive people crazy . . . often makes it more dangerous. . .

I know I've been through there before, but I can't seem to picture it.

The biggest problem is Penny Gross. Her idea of improvements to the area has been Chipotle and Red Robin!

Why aren't you writing your state representatives? These are state-owned roads-- neither the county nor the police own them.

Is this the Target off route 50 in Chantilly? With the access road for Udvar-Hazy on the other side of 50 from the Target shopping area? I know it has a left-hand turn signal for getting to the shopping center where Target is, I have sat at it plenty of times and see no huge issues with the intersection.

Route 50 is a long road, maybe you didn't hear anything because you didn't specify where it was. Just because you put down your area of residency in the county doesn't mean you don't work in Chantilly and are complaining about something there.

The writer signed their location as "falls church" so one may be led to believe they are referencing the Target on 50 in Falls Church. That Target is also in Penny Gross's district, whom they also reference.

Penny Joke Wrote:
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> The biggest problem is Penny Gross. Her idea of
> improvements to the area has been Chipotle and Red
> Robin!


Hey give her a break, its the Mason district. Maybe she is too busy making sure a certain segment of the community gets lots of gratis queso.

I thought it was Chantilly too on first read because of the museum access road.