Transit Work Beginning Along Route 123 in Tysons
Map shows area where preparation work is beginning. (Dulles Rail Partners)
The work that drivers see this week along Route 123 in Tysons Corner is preparation for construction of new Metrorail line through Tysons and out to Wiehle Avenue.
Land bounded by International Drive and Tysons Boulevard and by Route 123 and Galleria Place will be cleared of vegetation so that construction trailers can be positioned and utility lines relocated.
This also will become the eastern side of a 2,100-foot train tunnel under the intersection of Routes 7 and 123.
From drivers' eye level, it's impossible to tell, but this area is the high point of Fairfax County. Trains can't go up one side and down the other. The grade would be too steep. That's why the tunnel is part of the plan. This isn't a change: It's not the full tunnel under Tysons that many people would have prefered for the rail line.
The Federal Transit Administration gave the go ahead to this phase of the project, which is managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The work will be done by Dulles Transit Partners and its subcontractors. Here's a timeline and a list of frequently asked questions on the project's Web site.
By
Robert Thomson
|
December 16, 2008; 8:40 AM ET
Categories:
Construction
,
Driving
,
Metro
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Posted by: 1995hoo | December 16, 2008 12:38 PM | Report abuse
1995hoo, you raise a good point. It should be interesting to see how both parties (the Metro construction and HOT lane construction) balance their needs. One thing of note though, I think the HOT lane ramps will be elevated. This is the portion of the HOT lane project with ramps connecting from the Westpark Drive bridge to I-495.
Posted by: xyv1027 | December 16, 2008 2:59 PM | Report abuse
xyv1027, I understand the same thing as to the HOT ramps there, and of course the Beltway overpass above VA-123 will have to be widened as well to accommodate four more lanes. I assume with elevated HOT ramps the elevated Metrorail line will have to be that much further off the ground. (I keep picturing the Smith-9th Streets station on the GG train in New York.)
Posted by: 1995hoo | December 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Report abuse
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It will be interesting to see them attempting to build an elevated Metrorail line through that interchange with the Beltway right when the HOT construction is also going on (as the plans show a tangle of HOT ramps there).