VDOT + Fluor Transurban working to create the HOT Lanes on 495

It always feels good when people do what they said they’d do.  With companies it’s no different.  Integrity is a good value if you’re dealing with one person, and also if you’re dealing with the government and it’s public private for profit partnership.  They said they’d give us the lane back, and they did.  I’m talking about the lane on each side of Route 123 just under the beltway.  Both of the left most lanes on the South side (towards Vienna) and the North side (towards McLean) of the section of Route 123 in Tysons Corner where the beltway crosses over the road (and also coincidentally very close to the mall, and it’s left turn lane) were previously closed to allow the HOT lanes workers to do their thing and be safe.

The Jersey barriers have now been pushed back.  The road is not perfect, in fact there are quite a few pot holes.  No matter, the road is now back for our use.  This is huge.  It is November, and I am thankful.  We should all be thankful.  Driving around will be a little easier, for a little while.

Who do we owe this thanks to?  Well the mall of course!  More broadly I should say we should give thanks to Shopping.  That is why they brought the lane back.  So traffic could flow more freely for the holiday shopping season.  How crazy is that?!

I guess not that crazy since Tysons Corner is known for it’s mall(s).

We give thanks!

 DULLES CORRIDOR METRORAIL PROJECT TRAFFIC ADVISORY: WEEK OF NOV. 15

Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 16-18, the shoulder of the exit ramp from the Capital Beltway Outer Loop to southbound Route 123 will be closed. Traffic will still be able to use the ramp, but drivers should expect a narrowing of the lanes and be aware of crews placing concrete barriers. This work will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day. Short-Term Traffic Shift Beginning Nov. 20 Beginning Friday night, Nov. 20, a new traffic pattern will begin on northbound Route 123 from just south of Colshire Drive to the Dulles Connector Road (Route 267) overpass. Northbound lanes will shift approximately eight feet to the east (right) to pass a work area. This traffic pattern will be in place for approximately four to six weeks as crews complete a major waterline installation in the area. Gas Main Installation on Chain Bridge Road at Tysons Boulevard Between Monday, Nov. 16 and the Thanksgiving holiday, the two right-turn lanes to Tysons Boulevard and the right through lane of southbound Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) will be closed on overnights only. Drivers should follow Chain Bridge Road south, turn right on International Drive, then veer right on to Galleria Drive to access Tysons Boulevard. Night Work on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Westpark Drive

Chairman, Sharon Bulova, of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

On November 3rd, 2009, Sharon Bulova, the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors sent out an E-bulletin to explain the plans for $15 Billion dollars that is goaled in the future for Tysons Corner.  The explanation was a self-described rebuttal or clarification of a Washington Post article October 30th, 2009 which “gave the impression that “Transforming Tysons” costs will break the bank.”

The breakdown of the $15 ($14.8) Billion figure and e-bulletin is as follows =

[A] $5.5 Billion for the Dulles Metro, Silver Line – $5.2 is to build the project, and $0.3 to operate over 40 years

[B] $5.4 Billion for extending the Metro on I-66 further west, which will include some funds for a express bus on the beltway HOT lanes, 66, and other major transit routes

[C] $1.2 Billion to create a grid of streets in Tysons, and associated costs (ie. eminent domain)

[D] $2.7 Billion

These figures are further broken down to be relevant to $67 million a year.  It is also explained that our region has experienced great growth and prosperity in the past 40 years, and certainly there is more to come in the next 40 years. You can click here to see the whole Sharon Bulova e-bulletin on Tysons Corner.

Fairfax County + Prince William County leaders will be joined by the Virginia Transportation Secretary, Pierce Homer, at a Ribbon Cutting and Launch for Tysons Express.  Tysons Express is a new commuter bus service running a direct route from Woodbridge (Prince William County) to Tysons Corner (Fairfax County).  This will provide commuters more options to get to Tysons Corner.  Options are what commuters need with so much construction going on for both the HOT lanes project and the Dulles Metro (Silver Line) construction.

The Event will take place 11-06-09 (Friday) at 11am at the Woodbridge VRE station.

Progress of Tunnel Construction in Tysons Corner for Dulles Metro

The Dulles Metro line in Tysons Corner will tunnel under ground at the hill where route 123 meets route 7.  This tunnel will be 2,400 feet.  Right now they have over 45 feet completed.  It may not be much, but it is a profound step towards the completion of this long awaited silver line to service Tysons Corner area and beyond.

Many are eagerly awaiting the completion of the first phase of the Dulles Metro line.  This first phase has almost all of the focus in Tysons Corner, as 4 of the 5 stations to be completed will be in Tysons Corner.  The hope is that the metro will be a huge boon to the area and it’s real estate values.  And of course make it even easier to the over 100,000 workers to get here each day.

Dulles Metro (Tysons Corner)

 

 

 

On Monday, Nov. 2 and Tuesday, Nov. 3, Old Chain Bridge Road between Seneca Avenue and

Hallcrest Drive near the Dulles Connector Road bridge in McLean will be reduced to a single

lane between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic.

The traffic pattern change is necessary for Dulles Corridor Metrorail construction.

Drivers, walkers, and residents should use extreme caution in this area.

? related emergencies, call the Project Hotline at 877?585?6789. For general information about the project, visit www.dullesmetro.com or call 703?572?0506.

Bus Service to Tysons Corner from Eastern Prince William County

And I’m not talking about metro this time.  The Potomac and Rappahanock Transportation Commission is involved in a new transit line to Tysons Corner.  This will be a bus line from Eastern Prince William County to Tysons Corner.  Service is slated to begin on Monday November 9th, 2009.

Planned cost for the trip will be $2.40 with a smart card and $3 for those paying with cash.

This new route will enable passengers to get off at any of 16 different stops in Tysons Corner.

An exciting amenity riders will enjoy is Wifi service.