I attended tonight’s Fairfax Connector Circulator meeting to voice my concerns over the limited hours of service within Tysons and the general lack of focus on existing residential neighborhoods within Tysons. Unfortunately, without additional voices in unison I fear the recommendations noted had little impact.
Although there are nearly 20,000 residents in Tysons, only a half dozen residents showed up for the meeting. Many of the attendees were actually residents of Falls Church and McLean. Anyone who rides the 425 or 427 knows that there are many bus riders in Tysons, but because of the lack of civic involvement commercial corridors and other regions of Northern Virginia have been more successful in attaining modifications to routes.
Because of this lack of public input from the Tysons community the Pimmit Hills circulator bus route has been removed all together. Due to the lack of representation from weekend city-goers the bus service in Tysons will not extend beyond midnight on any night for North Tysons.
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That being said, transit solutions in Tysons are going to be iterative. Perhaps once metro is in operation more people will become active. I believe FCDOT did consider my concerns made in February, including the revision to use the Central Tysons (Route 423) as the weekend circulator.
During the Q&A I questioned whether weekend service could be shifted to reduce morning hours when stores around town are not open(from 6 A.M. to 8 A.M.) in order to attain longer night time hours (from 11P.M. to 1A.M.) One attendee did note an important problem with that concept however, that Tysons residents might want the 6A.M. bus route to head to the airport. Ultimately, I concede that without boisterous demand that late night service in Tysons will need to wait.
After the meeting I spoke to Tom Biesiadny about the progress on infrastructure projects around Tysons. “We are currently at 30% design plans for the Jones Branch Connector to Scotts Run” Tom noted “And there has been significant progress with the right of way.” The right of way is an important element necessary to create the much needed connection between Jones Branch and Route 123 through the center of the Capital One property.
“The road will be two lanes in each way with a median that is capable of future upgrades to a streetcar or dedicated bus lanes” said Tom about the size of the proposed design “And will be provided with bike lanes in each direction.” The project is anticipated to be completed in 2016.
On the subject of bike lanes it was noted that a new 10′ dedicated trail will be coming to Route 123 between Anderson Road and Great Falls Street, a trail that will connect into the system between Great Falls Street and Old Dominion and hopefully connect bike riders between McLean and Tysons (as well as the new McLean metro station). Currently cyclists have to deal with some tough pedaling on Chain Bridge Road, which has several dangerous curves and elevation changes. That project is through the planning stages and could begin construction this year.
Other improvements coming up soon include several cross walk and intersection upgrades as well as new sidewalk along Jones Branch with the construction of Arbor Row Phase 1.
So while bus transit might be less than perfect in the foreseeable future for Tysons, there are many improvements that might make alternative transportation modes far safer and easier. As always, without public input no needs would ever be addressed, so if you haven’t voiced your comments you still have a chance to contact Fairfax Connector FairfaxConnector@fairfaxcounty.gov