Residents of Olney Road in McLean are fed up with the overgrown grass at the entrance to their community and are demanding the county do something about it. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) contends that it is unable to mow the plot of land at the level it has in previous years because of budget constraints. Residents say they could do it themselves if given the opportunity.
“They need to allow that [section of land] to be annexed back to the citizens of the Pimmit Hills Citizens Association if they are not going to maintain the entrance to our community,” said resident Darren Ewing. The grassy knoll in question lies at the intersection of Olney Road and Magarity Road.
“It’s collecting trash, and it’s an eyesore that we have to see every time we go into or out of our homes,” Ewing said.
VDOT spokesman Ryan Hall said that it has slowed the pace of mowing all over the state. “With the budget cuts, we’ve reduced mowing by a third. What people are used to, the manicured look, isn’t going to happen this year,” said Hall.
“We have a billion dollar deficit, so there are places we had to look for where we can cut back,” Hall said. “We had to take a look at where. If it’s mowing two times instead of six times and it isn’t detracting from the safety aspect, and it can help VDOT save money, then that’s what’s being done,” Hall said.
“That’s not acceptable. You’ve got high-dollar McLean [without problems] and then us in low-rent Pimmit Hills, who can’t get anything done,” said Ewing.
Linda Lammerson, a representative of Dranesville District Supervisor Joan DuBois, said, “It’s not like it isn’t being done. It’s on a regular maintenence schedule and [VDOT is] telling me it’s already been done twice this summer.”
Ewing said, “This is pretty much our problem. We’re a few blocks away from [DuBois] office but invisible. It hasn’t been mowed for the entire growing season. Not once.”
EWING CONTENDS THAT VDOT has not mowed the stretch of land that runs parallel to the road all year, and it’s approaching a problem. “It’s an eyesore now. It’s ugly, and it looks bad. Trash is collecting in there, and its just getting worse. If this goes on, it could affect driving, by creating a sight barrier,” said Ewing.
Halls said that one reason VDOT may not being mowing the stretch of land is because it is off to the side a bit. “If it’s not hindering sight distance, that may be one reason,” said Hall. “Until it’s a crisis, they won’t touch it. It’s a no man’s land, and no one wants to do anything,” said Ewing.
The waist-high grass and weeds are a visible indication of the problem that residents on Olney Road have with VDOT, but Ewing says he and his neighbors have issues with VDOT in the winter, as well. Olney Road backs up to Route 66, and during snow removal the trucks plowing the roadways idle there, waiting to be dispatched.
“The fumes from the diesel are overpowering. They just sit there, and it’s loud, really loud, right near our bedrooms. I called VDOT to complain then, and they said there was nothing that they could do,” Ewing said.
While Ewing isn’t happy about the idling trucks, he recognizes the need to have them stationed around the area. The grass, he says, is another story. “Just give it back to us, and let us take care of it if they aren’t going to,” said Ewing.
Marita Rivas, walking her German Shepherd along Olney Road, said, “It was never like this before. We just have to get used to it I guess but it doesn’t look very good. We plant flowers at our house to make it look nice, but this is what people see.”