Town Hall Wednesday to Discuss Plan for Herndon Pkwy/Sterling Road Intersection

Herndon's Department of Public Works will host a public town hall meeting Wednesday to introduce residents to proposed plans for improvements to the intersection of Herndon Parkway and Sterling Road to help mitigate traffic.

The Town hired the firm of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) out of Vienna to conduct traffic studies and propose a series of changes. The firm has been working with Town staff and councilmembers since the beginning of 2012.

According to VHB's report, available on the Town's website, consultants conducted studies of traffic patterns, including volume of traffic as well as trip originations to help get an idea for how many drivers that pass through the intersection have a destination within town, or are "cutting through" Town on their way somewhere else.

"The high traffic volumes and significant delays on Herndon Parkway led to speculation that external traffic travels through the town, particularly between the Dulles Toll Road and Route 28, which are connected by Elden Street, Herndon Parkway, and Sterling Road," VHB's report said. 

So, the consultants said they conducted studies of block clusters within the southwest quadrant of the town as well as collected time-lapse imagery from a helicopter to "identify the movement of vehicles into, through and out of the town."

Interestingly, the study suggested that low percentages of vehicles moving through the intersection were coming from between the Dulles Toll Road and Sterling Road. 

"Some regional traffic is undoubtedly present on Herndon Parkway, but the majority of the traffic demand is derived from vehicles with an origin and/or destination within the Town of Herndon," VHB consultants said.

VHB introduced a total of 24 different alternatives and combinations of ways to make changes to the intersection to help reduce traffic delays.

The firm's top three choices will be presented and discussed at Wednesday night's town hall meeting, and the public will be able to ask questions.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the domed Council Chambers (bottom floor) at 765 Lynn St. in Herndon. The public is welcome.

See more information on the Town's website here.

TELL US - Do you think traffic in the intersection of Herndon Parkway and Sterling Road is a problem? In which ways? What changes do you think might help reduce delays? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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