The Silver Line opened a year ago and business leaders, politicians and residents gathered in late July to celebrate as a long list of project proponents praised what many called the dramatic changes coming to Tysons Corner and the entire Dulles Corridor that continue to happen because of the Silver Line.
Airports Authority CEO Jake Potter was among those praising the impacts of the new rail service. U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-VA, praised efforts to make Tysons more pedestrian friendly while touting the new developments of mixed-use properties springing up in Tysons Corner and at the Wiehle Avenue station, the short-term terminus of the Silver Line.
Currently there are 20 new plans for new mixed-use developments in Tysons, where today approximately 17,500 people live. Capital One is now building a new headquarters on its site along Route 123 at Scotts Crossing and Mitre Corp. is completing a new building nearby. Projections call for another 100,000 residents in future years.
Recent announcements that both Wegman’s and Whole Foods will be coming to Tysons indicate faith in the expansion of the residential sector.
Experts said Tysons now contributes more than $300 million to the Fairfax County tax base, a number that is expected to eventually hit $1 billion.
Robin Antonucci, vice president of traffic consulting firm Wells + Associates, delivered interesting statistics that show significant decreases in vehicular traffic in the Tysons area since the Silver Line opened.
Take a look at morning peak hour traffic today along Route 123. There are:
- 15 percent fewer cars at Scotts Crossing/Colshire Drive.
- 11 percent fewer cars at Anderson Road/Dulles Access Road off-ramp.
- 7 percent fewer cars at Route at Old Meadow Road/Capital One Drive.
Meanwhile Silver Line ridership remains strong and it is expected to grow significantly as new developments open. Tysons Corner Center is experiencing greater than expected numbers of shoppers than prior to the Silver Line, an indication of the popularity of the transit station there.
Wiehle Avenue, the temporary terminus of the Silver Line, continues to be the busiest Silver Line station. Those numbers will grow when the apartment structure being built by Comstock LLC on top of that station begins renting later this year.
Lynn Bowersox. assistant general manager of Metro, introduced attendees to a new ad campaign that encourages Silver Line usage.
Other speakers included Fairfax County Board member Catherine Hudgins; James Policaro, vice president of Lerner Cos.; Michael Caplin, head of Tysons Partnership (sponsors of the Silver Line birthday bash); Jennifer Mitchell, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-VA.
In addition to Potter and MWAA communications VP David Mould, rail project representatives included Kevin Volbrecht, Al Kolodne, James Van Zee, Marcia McAllister, Katy Gorman and Whitney Winn.
The event was held at the Convene Conference Tysons.
