SUMMARY:  If the County approves much higher housing density near Metro stations under the justification that the residents will use Metro instead of cars, the Metro system must have the capacity to accommodate them, which the system as it exists today does not. Moreover, the current system's routes do not reflect the fact that over 50% of the people who live in the County work in the County. It's time to begin planning a light rail system that will connect Springfield with Fort Belvoir, the Orange line, and the line to Dulles.

Missing in all the grandiose plans in Fairfax County to allow added residential and office density around Metro stations is a comprehensive look at the Metro system's capacity to service added riders. And, while there are vocal supporters for a tunnel at Tyson's, little attention is being given to the need for another river crossing, either above or below ground.

The development industry and the Board of Supervisors march forward in lock step to support tremendous growth at Vienna and Tyson's Corner. On March 11, 2007, the Board unanimously adopted language for the policy section of the comprehensive plan making its easier to approve increased density around transit stations, both Metro and VRE. Development plans recently surfaced for thousands of new apartments and condos, plus office and additional retail, at Springfield Mall – all in the name of so-called 'Smart Growth'.

How smart is it to approve additional density in areas already clogged with traffic? Especially if the existing or proposed rail service may not be able to handle added growth.

Metro's Orange line from Vienna already experiences delays and overcrowding during rush hour. Most of the delays are caused by the fact that there is only one track under the Potomac River, forcing Orange and Blue line trains to alternate both coming and going. The need for a new or expanded tunnel is obvious.

There are plans to alternate Blue line trains from Franconia-Springfield so half the trains run over the current Yellow line bridge into the District. While there currently is space for more riders on the Blue and Yellow line trains, what will happen when Fort Belvoir expands by 20,000-plus jobs and Springfield Mall becomes home to thousands more potential riders? A passenger going from Huntington to Dulles Airport could have to change trains as many as four times!

The idea of rail service to Dulles Airport is attractive to most people. However, the added 'baggage' being added by each station along the route is not a good idea. More than 50 percent of people who live in Fairfax County now work in Fairfax County. However, there are no plans to make it easier to get around the county by any method other than by automobile.

It's time to begin planning a light rail transit system that connects Mount Vernon with Springfield and Springfield with Vienna, Reston and Dulles. A good start would be to use the old railroad right-of-way for light rail from Fort Belvoir to Springfield. Add a connection from Springfield to the Orange line via the Beltway and a connection to the Dulles Extension via the Fairfax County Parkway.

Instead of reacting to plans to overdevelop the current system that reflects the hub and spoke method of funneling commuters into the District, let's begin to put together a system that can actually move people around Fairfax County.

Copyright Forward Fairfax and Carl Sell