UPDATE APRIL 2012:

Traffic Controls Measures in Newgate
a. Task Force met in July 2010
b. VDOT contacted regarding traffic abatement; availability of funds is an issue
c. Board pursuing a request with the County Supervisor�s office to have Newgate included in their traffic abatement program
d. FCDOT contacted and the traffic counts took place December 2010
   - Awbrey Patent Drive qualified for traffic control measures; in queue pending funding
   - Newton Patent Drive did not qualify

The Board of Directors is exploring an initiative for the Newgate Community that addresses the need for "traffic calming"on selected streets. Many of our neighbors have expressed a major concern with speed and congestion on Newton Patent Drive, Havener House Way, and Awbrey Patent Drive. Newton Patent and Awbrey Patent Drives are major entrances to our neighborhood and support several hundred vehicles daily. Havener House Way is a major thoroughfare through the Back To Backs and intersects with Newton Patent. Not surprisingly, the traffic and the speed have increased over the years and the Board has been asked to take action to address the safety concerns for all.

There are a number of communities in the County that are exploring traffic calming to address congestion and speed. Quiet often, it is a small percentage of the traffic and the speeders are usually individuals that live in the community, but still it is a safety concern for the majority of the community. The advantages of using physical traffic calming devices are that they are 24/7 and self enforcing. The negatives are they can slow down emergency vehicles 3-10 seconds per device. However we have met with the fire department and they share our concern for the safety of all do not consider the addition of traffic calming devices a major issue affecting their response times.

We know that the addition of calming devices may be very contentious as many individuals will have strong feelings for and against. However, we have been told that if they are installed the average speed typically declines by two to five mph and with a potential reduction in traffic.

We need your feedback and participation if we are to move forward with this effort and submit a formal request to our district supervisor. A definition of Traffic Calming and the procedures for requesting county support is included from the Fairfax County website. Please read and consider serving as a member of the task force (we need 5 residents).

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Thank you,
Al Schenck
Vice President
Newgate HOA
703 830-8918