Reston Spring

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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Statement re Sequential Construction of Phase 2 Silver Line Stations, January 29, 2013



Statement to Reston Master Planning Task Force
Re: Phasing of Metro Silver Line Construction
Tammi Petrine
January 29, 2013


As we have been informed by the County transportation staff numerous times, the arrival of the Silver Line in less than a year will result in unavoidable, dismal gridlock around the Wiehle Metro Station.

And to further add to our woes, we are learning that Reston will be doomed to suffer with this unacceptable situation for many more years than was previously promised.  The line is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2018.  This will negatively affect our residential and commercial communities alike.

What I am proposing here tonight is an effort to reduce the forecast of gridlock and misery for residents and development delays for commercial landowners. 

I am proposing the building of the Silver Line from Wiehle be phased so that each Reston station can be opened sequentially. 

If the building of Phase 2 could begin at Wiehle and proceed to west of   the Herndon-Monroe station, the next two stations, Reston Town Center and Herndon/Monroe could be built and opened earlier than now forecast.  RTC is the town nexus and has the ability to easily provide kiss ‘n ride drop offs as well as bus, bike and pedestrian traffic for the central parts of Reston.  Herndon/Monroe has a completed parking garage as well as kiss ‘n ride and multi-model access from both western Reston and Herndon, north and south.

Spreading the entire load of commuters who would be forced to use only the desperately compromised Wiehle station to three stations sooner would spread the traffic burden.  In addition, this plan offers developers the opportunity to begin earlier development of all three areas, not just Wiehle alone. 

We would still have to contend with commuters fleeing the toll way but the more commuters can use Metro to get to their destinations are sure to try it, hopefully reducing some of the load on local roads.

I would ask the task force to consider sending a letter to MWAA proposing the idea of phased construction of the Silver Line from Wiehle to Herndon/Monroe and the amount of track west of it necessary to store and re-route the trains similar to what is now completed at Wiehle.  The letter should note both the difficulties the current plan places on entirely Reston as well as the opportunities it offers for early transit-oriented development around the new stations. 

Although the scope of Phase 2 contracts would remain the same for the five firms bidding on it, the phasing of the work would dramatically improve conditions for both local traffic and for local development and should be put into planning stages immediately.  This plan would seem to be a win/win for all in Reston.

Madam chair, could we have a show of hands of those that might be interested in this proposal?  Because the bids on Phase 2 of the Silver Line are due to be let soon, time is of the essence.

Thank you!

Tammi Petrine
Co-Chair
RCA Reston 2020

January 29, 2013


UPDATE:  Restonian has its own take on Ms. Petrine's idea:  "That's so crazy, it just might work."  Click here to read the comments in full. 

2 comments:

  1. Interesting idea- the whole Silver Line is a disaster, but this sounds like a way to reduce some of the damage for the Reston folks for a while. Way to think outside the box, Tammi!

    ReplyDelete
  2. WMATA has the final say, even if it is possible to sequence the Phase 2 station openings without added construction/testing costs.

    ReplyDelete

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