1

Fairfax CountyDepartment of Transportation

Express Lanes to Tysons

January 2013

Background

The 495 Express Lanes are a Public-Private Partnership between VDOT and Flour-Transurban

The project will construct two new lanes in each direction the along the Capital Beltway

A unique opportunity for transit service by providing a semi-dedicated lane on which the bus can achieve much higher speeds.

2

Planning

Transportation Development Plan (TDP)

Staff review Certain assumptions have changed since TDP Revised routes/proposed service plan

Elected Officials

Public meetings

Revised plan/Final

3

Transit Development Plan (TDP)

Lorton – Tysons: This route will provide peak period express service connecting Lorton with Tysons Corner via the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. Lorton is a fast growing area that should generate significant ridership for commuting to growing employment opportunities in Tysons. This route would begin at the Sydenstricker Park and Ride and follow the alignment of the proposed new route 309 until the I-95 entrance ramp. Reverse peak trips which otherwise would deadhead on this route would provide revenue service to the Engineering Proving Ground (EPG), providing access to the new NGA campus for people who currently reside in northern Fairfax County and the Tysons Corner area. 68 Upon serving the NGA, this route would continue to the Sydenstricker Park and Ride via Rolling Road and the Fairfax County Parkway. The route would also complement Fairfax Connector 401, which would continue to provide local service.

Tysons – Ft. Belvoir: This route would provide an opportunity for easy access to Springfield and Ft. Belvoir by providing a direct and fast transit option for North County residents that work at Fort Belvoir. Secondarily, it would provide additional capacity for Springfield area residents traveling to the Tysons area supplementing the Lorton route. This route would continue past Fort Belvoir and terminate at Sacramento Drive and serve the proposed park and ride lot at Woodlawn Center upon its completion.

Burke Centre – Tysons: This route will provide express bus service from the Braddock District to Tysons connecting the Braddock residential communities with the Tyson area employment opportunities. Further discussion can be found in Section 7.7.4.

Huntington Metrorail – Tysons: This route will provide express bus service from the Huntington Metrorail Station to Tysons. The route will enter the Capital Beltway (I-495) just north of the Huntington Metrorail Station and run along the Beltway entering the HOT Lane in Springfield. This express route will provide a quicker, more convenient trip for residents of the Mount Vernon District and portions of Alexandria in place of using Metrorail service which will require making at least two transfers to reach the future Silver Line service for travel to Tysons.

4

Proposed Express Lanes Service Plan

Description Days of Operation Headway Span of ServiceBurke VRE to Tysons Weekday Peak Servcie Only 15 5:30-9:30A; 3:30-7:30PSpringfield to Tysons Weekday Peak Service Only 15 5:30-9:30A; 3:30-7:30PLorton VRE to Tysons Weekday Peak Servcie Only 15 5:30-9:30A; 3:30-7:30P

Outstanding Issues Circulation in Tysons TBA Burke VRE – As described in TDP; Serve other

Park & Rides? Springfield/Lorton – Circulation TBA Saratoga P&R – Opportunity

5

Burke VREExpress Lanes

Burke VRE Express to Tysons Via Guinea Road, Braddock Road, 495 Express Lanes Serve other Park & Rides along Braddock? Other Stops?

6

Burke VREExpress Lanes

7

Lorton VREExpress Lanes

Lorton VRE to Tysons Via Lorton I95 Park & Ride Serve the Saratoga Park & Ride Lot?

8

Lorton VREExpress Lanes

9

SpringfieldExpress Lanes

Springfield to Tysons Via Greater Springfield? Franconia-Springfield Metrorail

Station? Saratoga Park & Ride?

10

SpringfieldExpress Lanes

11