Progress Report on Plans to Widen Route 15 North of Leesburg

The following update was posted by Supervisor Caleb Kershner on Facebook on Tuesday, January 23rd.

My office recently received our latest briefing on the Route 15 North Widening project. Here is the current status on each of the project's major pieces:

Phase I Widening – From Battlefield Parkway to Whites Ferry Road

Staff has completed the 100% design plans. Their trickiest engineering challenge was an old corrugated pipe inside the North King Street culvert. Replacing it would have required serious traffic disruptions - so instead, staff plans to insert a sturdy polymer sleeve into the culvert, which will reinforce it, and is a workable long-term solution. This sleeving process will require some short-term closures on southbound Route 15, which will be overnight closures as much as possible.

Right-of-Way (ROW) acquisition and utility relocation are also underway for the Phase I widening. The initial offer letters have been sent out to acquire the land for this project. One of the utility providers (Crown Castle) didn’t require any new land rights, so they have already begun their relocation work. Staff is working with the other utilities on their relocation plans, which are nearly complete at this point.

Phase II Widening – From Whites Ferry Road to Montresor Road

The design plans are at 90%, and are now under review after the latest round of submissions in December 2023. Staff has finished their pre-application process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Utility relocation work is ongoing.

Whites Ferry Road Shared Use Path

The concept plan has been developed. Staff is adjusting the design to address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns, which they will need to work on with Building & Development.

Spinks Ferry Road Roundabout

Test pits have been performed as part of the utility relocation coordination. This involves doing some localized excavation in order to visually inspect and assess the ground and soil conditions. Staff is finishing up the precise easement locations and the 100% design plans, which they should be ready to submit soon.

Staff is also working with the utility companies to finalize their plans and estimates. Once the 100% design plans are complete, they will have the precise information they need to finish coordinating with the utilities and relocating them around the roundabout.

Intersection Improvements at Lovettsville Road

Staff is currently developing the 60% design plans. The biggest challenge here has been managing the septic systems for the two homes that are right at the bend of the road. DTCI is working with the Health Department to find an alternative to the conventional septic fields. That solution will also include a sturdy retaining wall along the riverside of this stretch of Route 15, which will minimize the impact to the homes while also giving important protection for the Potomac River floodplain.

Luckett Bypass

Staff has sent their draft Request for Proposal (RFP) to Procurement for their review. They’re looking to have a finalized RFP ready in about two months, which will let them hire a consultant to start working through the details of exactly where and how we can optimally place the bypass.