GGW provides a good look at the expansion of Rt. 7 from 193 to Tysons

Route 7 is getting new trails and a tunnel that connects communities

Roads By Kristy Cartier (Volunteer Contributor) January 4, 2017
 
Plans to widen Route 7 (also called Leesburg Pike) in Fairfax County between Tysons Corner and Reston also include new trails that would run on both sides of the road. There will also be a tunnel connecting park land that the road intersects.

Formally called the Route 7 Corridor Improvements Project, the plan applies to a seven-mile stretch from the Dulles Toll Road to Route 193. It should be finished in 2025. Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) is overseeing the project since Route 7 is a state road. . .

With the redevelopment of Merrifield, Tysons, and Reston, Fairfax County is starting to embrace walkability and multi-modal access. The transportation section of the 2013 Comprehensive Plan states that “it will be impossible to meet travel demand solely by roadways,” so, accordingly, the Connect Route 7 plan includes adding 10-foot wide paths on both sides of the road. In addition, the project will put more displaced left turns, crosswalks, and pedestrian countdown signals at intersections along this stretch.

A tunnel at a key intersection will connect trails and park land

In one section of the corridor, VDOT’s planners have decided that a tunnel under Route 7 would be safer than the current crosswalk. The underpass will reconnect the north and south areas of Colvin Run Mill Park, which Route 7 bisects. . . .

Click here to read the full article. 

VDOT scorches Reston area transportation impact analysis.

Below is the text of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) assessment of the Fairfax County Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) for the Dulles Corridor--Reston's Metrorail station areas and the Route 28 station area--in connection with the high-density development planned there.

Here is the summary of the VDOT assessment (p. 16) with our highlighting of key points:

Due to significant concerns with the cumulative impacts of other development within the region, deficiencies in the Synchro analyses, and trip making assumptions the VDOT does not believe that this report contains “sufficient information to evaluate the system of new and expanded transportation facilities” and suggests that the report be refined and resubmitted incorporating the comments within this letter to determine if the transportation facilities will indeed support the proposed development as required by 24VAC30-155-30. 

Furthermore, an inherent inconsistency is introduced in the proposed amendment by introducing a level of service standard of E, but not proposing mitigation measures to achieve this standard. If Fairfax County finds it necessary to stipulate a level of service standard the following methods should be considered: reduced intensity of development, an expanded transportation network, or a level of service standard of F. As noted in VDOT’s Traffic Impact Analysis Regulations Administrative Guidelines, “just identifying future transportation needs is not sufficient.”

The lack of any analysis of the DTR, the imbalance between development intensity and transportation capacity, and the failure to address level of service F situations are all significant concerns.  Without addressing these major items, if all development proposed by the Comprehensive Plan Amendment be approved and constructed, there may be failing levels of service many hours of the day with constrained/limited mobility for the movement of goods and people.

VDOT's concerns are all the same concerns RCA has voiced about the current draft plan text:  Lots of goals, no means to get there.  And, indeed, Reston's transit station areas could easily end up with a Level of Service "F"--or GRIDLOCK.  Indeed, the assessments we have seen suggest that is the likely outcome.

As VDOT says, the county needs "reduced intensity of development, an expanded transportation network, or a level of service standard of F."  We do not believe an LOS "F" is acceptable and the county may need to both reduce development intensity AND expand the transportation network to achieve a marginally higher LOS "E."

   Dulles Corridor Study Vdot Findings 09-16-13

Board of Supervisors to approve agreement for VDOT $24.5MM funding of some Wiehle Station area transportation improvements--5 years after they were recommended.

On Tuesday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will take an "action" item (Action #3) to approve an agreement with VDOT to spend $24.5 million for transportation improvements around the Wiehle Metrorail Station through 2018.  The improvements are among those specifically recommended by RMAG in its March 2008 report to the Board.  In fact, the specific tasks are linked to the RMAG study identifiers.  Obviously, none of the improvements will be in place when the station opens late this year.  The Board will also be taking similar action on recommendations for Tysons transportation improvements also made long ago. 

Of note, $6 million of the $16 million of project funds are for an unidentified project on Town Center Parkway.  Funding for the Soapstone Connector, which is currently in the feasibility analysis stage, is not included in this agreement through 2016. The difference in the $16 million sum here and the $24.5 million total is that the balance is planned for FY 2017-2018 while this plan is for the current four-year program. 

Here's what will be approved by the Board through 2016: