F.C. Neighbors Complain About HOT Lanes Dirt
As the construction continues on the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on the I-495 Beltway, Falls Church area citizens have intensified their complaints, being reported in regional media, arising from the piling high of bulldozed dirt adjacent their homes. On Surrey Lane, off Shreve Road, the dirt looms high above homes only a few feet away, with only a three-foot plastic apron as a retainer. According to neighbors on the street, dust is already making for a serious hazard, as well as concerns of mudslides arising from heavy thunderstorms being forecast for later this week.
F.C. Neighbors Complain About HOT Lanes Dirt
As the construction continues on the High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on the I-495 Beltway, Falls Church area citizens have intensified their complaints, being reported in regional media, arising from the piling high of bulldozed dirt adjacent their homes. On Surrey Lane, off Shreve Road, the dirt looms high above homes only a few feet away, with only a three-foot plastic apron as a retainer. According to neighbors on the street, dust is already making for a serious hazard, as well as concerns of mudslides arising from heavy thunderstorms being forecast for later this week. But VDOT’s Regional Program Director Ronaldo “Nick” Nicholson, responding to a complaint from Falls Church Attorney Janine S. Benton, examined the conditions at the end of Shelby Lane Tuesday and stated the work by VDOT’s subcontractor, Fluor Transurban, “appears to be in conformance” with all state and country erosion and sediment control regulations. However, in a 2000 “Erosion Control” newsletter commenting on state regulations, it was stated that “a contractor cannot simply clear the entire project and let it sit for long periods of time with only marginal controls to prevent sediment from escaping.” Nicholson said the regulations provide the subcontractor up to two weeks to continue work on any given area.
Preliminary Ranking ‘Positive’ for Affordable Housing Plan
The Virginia Housing Development Authority’s (VHDA) “preliminary ranking” of projects seeking tax credits this summer released Tuesday was “positive” for Falls Church’s City Center South Apartments (CCSA), according to Carol Jackson, executive director of the Falls Church Housing Corporation. “Our score held up under VHDA review while several were adjusted down. That is positive and means we did all we could do to position the CCSA for funding.”
Community Service Benefit Features Recording Artist
The Falls Church Episcopal Church of “continuing Episcopalians” (maintaining their ties to the national denomination following a vote to leave it from a majority at the historic Falls Church) has organized a benefit concert to raise funds for the non-profit Falls Church Community Service Council. Russian-born recording artist Marina V will perform the concert on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad St., followed by a reception honoring her. Since coming to the U.S. at age 17, Marina has released four albums and toured extensively in Europe, Russia and Australia. The Community Service Council is a coalition of churches and human service organizations in the greater Falls Church area providing food, rent, utility subsidies and transportation assistance to poor and disadvantaged individuals and families in the area. More information and tickets can be obtained at 703-919-9461.
