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Phase 1 versus Phase 2. That doesn't make any sense. There are 27 train slots for the Potomac River Tunnel. Now 10 belong to the Blue Line, leaving 17 for the Orange Line. The 17 will need to be split between the Orange Line and the Silver Line. Let's say for sake of the argument the Silver Line gets 7 slots when Phase 1 opens. That will carry over to Phase 2 unless the Orange Line loses slots again when Phase 2 opens. Moreover, I think there would hell to pay from some Fairfax Supervisors and legislators if they knew the Orange Line was going to lose even more capacity. The best government decisions are made when all the facts are on the table. Why don't you want decision-makers and the public to know the capacity of the Silver Line?

Fairfax has multiple re-zoning applications for Tysons pending and is planning for Reston. If WMATA was giving the Silver Line 10 slots, the County would make different decisions (more density) than if WMATA were giving the Silver Line 5 slots (less density). Doesn't that make sense? Similarly, I strongly suspect the Loudoun BoS would approve Phase 2 if the Silver Line were getting 10 slots and probably oppose it if WMATA was giving just 5. Both counties should know WMATA's plans - even if subject to change.

Re Route 7. Yes, there is a reference to Route 7 in Table 7. It must be improved by 2030. But it was also in the 1994 Plan. Why? Because of traffic volumes on Route 7. Source: Dan Alcorn, chair, Tysons Task Force (1990s). However, there was community opposition to widening the road, such that the Supervisors opposed John Foust's 2007 motion to support widening. Foust lost 9-1. Source: John Foust, Dranesville Supervisor.

Then came the battle over VDOT's plan to convert the left turn lane from Route 7 to Georgetown Pike into two left turn lanes. VDOT's goal was safety on Route 7 as the single left turn lane backed up the left travel lane eastbound. The Great Falls Citizens Association, later joined by the McLean Citizens Association, opposed VDOT's two left turn lanes proposal. This caused "everyone" to look at alternatives, which quickly turned into a longer left turn lane with physical separation from the east-bound travel lanes, along with widening Route 7. Source: personal involvement.

Janet Howell, Barbara Comstock, and John Foust quickly supported the widening effort. They receive support from Sharon Bulova and Frank Wolf. The BoS reversed its anti vote, and VDOT put the project back on its active project list. Source: Foust & personal involvement

Howell and Comstock got $50 M in planning money for the widening. New VDOT NoVA Region chief Garrett Moore formed an informal advisory committee of representatives from Reston, McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, Loudoun County, and the Tysons Partnership to work on planning issues, including transit options. The group meets monthly.

Source: Garrett Moore & personal involvement.

Route 7 will be widened. The best thing to do now is suggest ways that transit can be worked into the plan.

by tmtfairfax on Jun 28, 2012 6:21 pm • link • report