The Route 15 Lucketts Bypass

What This Means

While a bypass to the east of Route 15 would have minimal impact on JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, any type of bypass placed to the west of Route 15 will have an direct impact. As currently mapped, Loudoun Wildlife does not support either of the two route alternatives. We do note two encouraging details: the proposed mini-bypass is a much smaller, two-lane design with a significantly reduced footprint, and the county has indicated ‘Mini-Bypass B’ is being refined further east, closer to Route 15, a positive sign, though not yet a confirmed outcome.  

We understand how crucial improvements to Route 15 are to Lucketts and other county residents in desperate need of relief. We still believe the bypass option that would best correct the congestion and safety problems in this area would be on county land east of Route 15, with proper screening and buffers to alleviate safety concerns.  If the project must instead proceed on the west side of Route 15, it should hug JK Black Oak’s eastern property line as much as possible to minimize habitat disturbance.  Any sanctuary land east of the road would be fragmented from the rest of the sanctuary, too small and isolated to support most wildlife. This area would essentially be rendered desolate habitat; the “boxing in” would leave the ecosystem unproductive and uninhabitable for the wildlife that currently depend on it. No matter how the project proceeds, we are committed to protecting the vital and globally rare wetland habitat we protect at JK Black Oak. 

What We Need: How to Get Involved

There will be a public meeting on the concept of the new mini-bypass on September 29th, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Lucketts Community Center. This meeting comes before two key milestones: SmartScale scoring results, expected in December, and the state’s public comment period ahead of the Board of Supervisors’ expected alignment decision in early 2027.

At the public meeting in September, we expect that community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns to be considered as the planning progresses. Stay tuned, as we’ll be releasing a guide to the types of questions that the general public can ask to show the county that you care about protecting the sanctuary. In the meantime, here are our primary concerns still to be addressed:

• Right-of-way: JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary can only survive if the physical footprint of the roadway is placed east of Route 15 or along the easternmost property line.
• Roadway speed: The county must commit to the roadway being no more than 35 mph. Lower speeds mean less ecological impact from noise, vibrations, and wildlife-vehicle collisions.
• Buffering: In order to protect the ecosystem immediately to the west and the residential community immediately to the east, screening and shielding should be substantial to minimize noise and safety concerns.
• Wildlife crossings: The county should put innovative amphibian and reptile crossing solutions in place, such as fencing that guides animals safely toward tunnels or culverts under the road, to prevent the most at-risk wildlife at JK Black Oak from facing a disproportionate impact from the roadway. 

We need your voice. Ahead of the public information meeting, email your Supervisor to tell them to protect JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, and share your concerns with the county’s Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure (dtci@loudoun.gov). If you have questions, contact LWC Conservation Advocacy Coordinator Trinity Mills at tmills@loudounwildlife.org.

We continue to be grateful to everyone who has already attended public meetings, filled out the county’s survey, commented to the Board, and stayed engaged. Thank you. Stay tuned for more ways to help protect JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary’s future.