Commentary: Elected Leaders Failing Us at So Many Levels, John Lovaas, Reston Connection, February 12, 2013

. . . (O)ur Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and our local supervisor managed to turn our long-awaited rail line from a transport solution into a likely monumental nightmare. This was to be a joint federal, state and local project providing efficient transportation from DC to the airport. Now we have: 1) a poor system design providing great service in and around Tysons Corner, but delaying travelers headed to the airport or DC; 2) a system whose cost has increased sharply over time while federal and state contributions remain fixed. The huge additional tab goes to Dulles Toll Road users, who ultimately will pay $15 to $18 in tolls each day; and, 3) Now, as the train is coming down the tracks five years after the expensive RMAG (Reston Metro Access Group) study’s final report, we learn that virtually none of their recommendations to make traffic flow around the Wiehle Station have been implemented by Fairfax County. An excellent, concise White Paper by the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) indeed reports the recommendations are not likely to be implemented for many more years. The White Paper, “Wiehle Metro Station Access: Congestion Ahead,” says the 2008 RMAG study predicted that even if all recommendations were implemented, there would still be considerable congestion at the station and beyond. . . .

Click here to read the rest of John's commentary on the non-working of our governments at the federal and state levels as well.