Loudoun County officials presented the preliminary design for a planned walking and biking trail connecting Franklin Park to downtown Purcellville at a public information session June 25 at Woodgrove High School, where residents focused much of their attention on how pedestrians would safely cross West Main Street.
The Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail would run along West Main Street, also known as Business Route 7, from Franklin Park Drive into the Town of Purcellville. Within the county, the project calls for a 10-foot shared-use path. Once the path reaches town, it would tie into the existing 5-foot sidewalk along Main Street.
County representatives said the trail is intended to give residents safe access from the recreational facilities at Franklin Park to the sidewalk network in downtown Purcellville, and to connect with the recently completed Round Hill Trail project at the park.
Funding and Schedule
The project carries an approved budget of $9.6 million, funded through a combination of Loudoun County local tax revenues and state money from the Commonwealth’s Smart Scale transportation program. Smart Scale prioritizes projects that improve safety, mobility and community connectivity, and the trail design was re-initiated as a Virginia Department of Transportation Locally Administered Project after Smart Scale funding was awarded.
According to the proposed schedule presented at the session, the alignment study was completed in 2022 and preliminary design is now underway. Detailed design is expected in fall 2026, followed by land acquisition and utility relocation in spring 2028. Construction would follow, with the new pedestrian facilities projected to open by spring 2030.
Crossing Main Street
Much of the discussion centered on the proposed pedestrian crossing of West Main Street at Franklin Park Drive. Safety measures presented for the crossing include a raised concrete crosswalk and flashing signals, identified in the plans as a rectangular rapid flashing beacon, that would alert drivers when pedestrians are present.
Resident Allen Colby suggested the county add a second set of flashing signals 50 to 100 yards from the crosswalk to give drivers a longer warning, noting that the speed limit in that stretch of road is 45 mph.
The speed limit drew broader concern. West Main Street is a two-lane rural highway with no existing pedestrian facilities, and the posted limit drops from 45 mph to 35 mph as the corridor approaches town. Residents questioned whether 45 mph was appropriate where pedestrians would be walking and crossing.
Other concerns raised at the session included whether adjacent homeowners would be responsible for clearing the trail after snow, and how pedestrians on the path would be warned of vehicles pulling out of driveways.
In Attendance
Staff from the offices of Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall and Supervisor TeKrony represented the Board at the session.
How to Comment
The preliminary plans are under review by VDOT, Loudoun County and the Town of Purcellville, and utility conflict analysis and test pits are underway. The design will ultimately go to the Board of Supervisors for endorsement.
Residents can submit comments on the project through July 15. Comments may be made online through the project page at loudoun.gov/FranklinParkTrail, where residents can also sign up for updates. Those who need assistance commenting can call 703-737-8624
