New Sidewalk To Improve Pedestrian Safety In Old Ashburn

ASHBURN, VA — Loudoun County kicked off construction of a major sidewalk project Friday on Ashburn Road, with the goal of improving pedestrian safety and access along a stretch of the road in Old Ashburn between the W&OD Trail and Partlow Road. The $1.24 million project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2020. Members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for the project.

The project will take place south of the W&OD trail and will include construction of 1,100 feet of sidewalk, curb and gutter, improved drainage and signage. Curb ramps and crosswalks installed along this segment of Ashburn Road will comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing people with disabilities to safely travel from the road to the curbed sidewalk, the county said. On Sept. 10, the county awarded the construction contract to Arthur Construction.

As development has grown in the area surrounding Old Ashburn over the past 35 years, residents have had trouble walking in the community due to deteriorating sidewalks or no sidewalks at all.

In 2010, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, in response to complaints about the condition of the existing sidewalk along Ashburn Road in Old Ashburn, initiated the process of replacing the sidewalk between Partlow Road and Stubble Road. That same year, the county approved plans to add ADA accessible ramps between Partlow Road and Stubble Road.

In fiscal year 2014, the county's adopted fiscal plan included funding to build sidewalks along the western side of Ashburn Road between Partlow Road and the W&OD Trail. During the concept design process, though, the location of the sidewalk was moved to the eastern side of Ashburn Road due to utility pole conflicts on the western side of the road.