The final phase of construction on what for years has been controversial among residents of Purcellville will begin on or about Sept. 12.

The Southern Collector Road – almost two miles of road that would route traffic off Route 7 and Maple Avenue in Purcellville –  has been part of the Loudoun County Transportation Plan, the Town-wide transportation plan and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan since it was adopted in 1978.

However, for the last decade or more, controversy has surrounded its construction over its original alignment and the Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan, or PUGAMP.

The road’s original alignment had it going through Crooked Run Orchard owned by Sam and Uta Brown. The couple fought the town for years on the alignment and officials ultimately agreed to a new design that would only cut through a portion of their farm.

In 2008, the town annexed 16 acres in the northern part of the farm to be able to complete the Southern Collector Road.

Building the road along this route would have destroyed 60 fruit trees and a major building that Sam Brown uses to raise pigs, the farmer said.

Town leaders say they wanted to come up with a plan that would be less intrusive for the farm, so they decided on an alternate route that would require another annexation.
Under this plan, the road would have crossed a narrow section of the Browns’ farm, separating a 45-acre piece of property from the rest of the orchard. With this plan in mind, the town worked with developers to build the road up to the Browns’ property line.

To make matters worse, the county and the Town of Purcellville were engulfed in a lawsuit over the annexation of 16 acres in the Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan.

However, Purcellville’s Town Council voted last month to terminate the town’s 1994 annexation agreement with the county and rescind PUGAMP, which was established in 1995.

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors voted earlier this year to rescind PUGAMP.

The final phase of building the Southern Collector Road includes the realignment of the existing roundabout on Main Street. During the next nine months, a new roundabout will be constructed approximately 80 feet west of the existing one, and connected to the Southern Collector Road on the east side, according to a release from the Town.

“This connection will create a critical link from Route 7 business to Route S. 690, effectively relieving cross-town traffic, enhancing greater pedestrian safety, and providing more direct access to destinations east of Purcellville,” the release said.

Nearly one-quarter mile of new sidewalk will be constructed as part of this project.

Work on the project will be conducted during the next nine months from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays only.

Town officials said during this time residents and travelers may be delayed or experience lane changes.

Entrances to Crooked Run Orchard and the Purcellville Gateway Shopping Center will remain open and passable throughout construction.