Leesburg Traffic Commission members heard more than a dozen residents on speeding and pedestrian-safety problems across town, agreed not to convert North Street to a one-way route, re-elected leadership and approved spending to install permanent bases for mobile speed-feedback signs.

Residents and neighborhood representatives described near-misses and regular speeding on Hope Parkway, North King Street, Longfellow Drive, Dry Mill and other corridors. "Residents have almost been hit numerous times," said Matt Dragoning, a resident of Old Stratford, describing fast traffic over crests near several crosswalks. Caroline (last name not provided), a parent who lives on Hope Parkway, told the commission the sun sets directly into drivers’ eyes at one crossing and said she feared for children walking to the neighborhood pool.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the complaints reflect a mix of routine cut-through traffic, post-pandemic commuting patterns and localized line-of-sight problems that may require different remedies — selective enforcement, temporary trailers or permanent physical changes at crossings. The commission voted to accept staff recommendations not to convert North Street into a one-way roadway after staff said the traffic study does not support that change and warned that conversion could worsen queuing and sight-line issues.

Most urgent facts and votes: Brad Pearson, a North King Street resident who compiled crash and speed data, told the commission, "If you're a pedestrian trying to get hit by a car, your best bet is to be on King St." Staff said the town is using selective enforcement and both marked and unmarked units at targeted sites; police reported 42 citations and about 37 enforcement hours to date for North King Street.

Staff presentation and commission action: Town transportation staff summarized the traffic-monitoring results and a revised staff recommendation on North Street, saying "the study is not recommending to make it a 1 way Street." Commissioners then voted to accept that recommendation. Later in the meeting the commission voted unanimously to authorize up to $8,500 for four concrete bases so the department can permanently install additional driver-feedback signs (the cost per base has increased since a prior estimate; staff cited a recent contractor price near $4,700 per base and earlier budget figures that assumed about $2,826 per base).

Other neighborhood appeals and staff responses: Several speakers asked for flashing pedestrian beacons at school and park crosswalks. Mindy Shezinski, identifying herself as a Harper Park parent, asked the commission to "install one of the flashing pedestrian lights in front of Harper Park," citing after-school activities that end in the dark. Staff replied that some locations are already scheduled for speed-enforcement cameras and that rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) are being piloted on other corridors; staff said they would seek cost estimates and check right-of-way and installation feasibility.

Enforcement and short-term remedies: Police committed to continued selective enforcement and to deploy driver-feedback trailers where staff data shows peak speeding behavior. The department said trailers and unmarked enforcement have captured occasional very high speeds — officers cited individual detections of 46–72 mph in a few corridors — and that regular monitoring will continue. Staff noted several corridors show only occasional high-speed outliers rather than sustained averages and that enforcement must be targeted to peak hours.

Organizational and budget steps: The commission re-appointed Sandy as chair and selected Ray as vice chair by unanimous voice vote. Members asked staff to bring a clear inventory and map of existing driver-feedback signs and bases to the next meeting, plus updated cost estimates for RRFBs and for counting/monitoring work the commission may request. Staff said four concrete bases had been budgeted earlier but rising contractor prices require an incremental $7,496 and the commission approved a not-to-exceed $8,500 figure to cover the purchase and installation of four bases.

What comes next: Staff will continue selective enforcement in hotspot areas, refine placement of temporary trailers, collect targeted turning and pedestrian counts at requested locations (including the Hope Parkway pool crossing and North King Street), and return to the commission with cost quotes for RRFBs and with a maintained inventory/map of sign locations and bases. Commissioners said they want a limited set of proactive, measurable goals (for example, addressing entry corridors into town) and agreed to keep driver-feedback-sign placement, enforcement outcomes and pedestrian-crossing upgrades on the agenda.

Ending: The commission encouraged residents who brought concerns to stay involved; staff said some near-term countermeasures — selective enforcement and temporary trailers — will remain in place while the town evaluates longer-term engineering or signal changes.