Would Somebody Hit the Lights, Please?

LoudounExtra.com reader vapensant recently posted a comment asking about the inactive stop lights at the intersection of Shellhorn Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard. The lights have "been up for months but not yet turned on."

The traffic lights at the intersection of Shellhorn Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard remain dark. (Photos by Erica Garman)

So, what's the hold up?

Dominion is waiting to get an easement granting them permission to run a conduit to the lights from the transformer located behind the Wachovia Bank.

The one thing holding up those lights: paperwork.

Today I received an email from a Wachovia official confirming that they've sent their easement documents to Dominion Power. A representative from Loudoun's transportation planning office told me that Edens & Avant, the developer of The Shoppes at Ryan Center, will be submitting their paperwork on Monday.

Then, finally, Dominion can get to work activating those stop lights.

Don't Tell the Hackers

A reader e-mailed yesterday and asked, "What's being constructed along the south side of Route 7 between Loudoun County Parkway and Richfield Way -- just west of Rt. 28 and Broad Run?"

The construction of a possible high tech industrial park along the south side of Route 7 between Loudoun County Parkway and Richfield Way, west of Rt. 28 and Broad Run.

After no luck finding the information online or via phone from the applicant or the developer, I drove to the site.

The construction entrance is on Russell Branch Parkway off of LCP. A huge industrial campus seems to be emerging with a small tank on the back of one building. I spoke with a few construction workers on break and they heard it is going to be a data processing facility for VISA or one of the other large credit card companies.

They said the project is very "hush-hush," which would most likely explain why it has been difficult getting information.

One gentleman told me the development is designed to be completely self-sufficient for up to 40 days in the event of power failure.

At Long Last…

Faulkner Parkway in Ashburn will be opening on Feb. 11, according to a big sign recently placed on Waxpool Road. I posted a story on this problem intersection last week.

Send you're questions and I'll try to find an answer. Email me at livinginloco@wpni.com.