COVID-19 Challenges — “The Town of Vienna Economic Development Office released results from its COVID-19 Business Survey highlighting how the Town’s businesses have been impacted by the pandemic.” [Town of Vienna]
Businesses Worried About Metro Shutdown — “Sol Glasner, CEO of the Tysons Partnership, says Metro has now all but assured that the comeback will be delayed in Tysons. He said he was disappointed and frustrated with how Metro handled the Silver Line shutdown.” [WAMU]
County Officials Speak Out on Silver Line Closure — Dalia Palchik, Jeff Mckay and Sol Glasner wrote this opinion piece: “The pivotal importance of Metro to Tysons makes the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s abrupt announcement of the summer closure of the Silver Line especially problematic.” [Washington Post]
New Governor Candidate — “Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy formally announced Wednesday that she is running for governor of Virginia in 2021.” [Inside NoVa]
Hope ♥️ pic.twitter.com/TkxXHAKHAs
— Falls Church Views (@fallschurchview) May 16, 2020
Photo courtesy James B. Crusan III
When Metro kicks off its summer work tomorrow (Saturday), drivers can find free parking at three Orange Line stations in the Tysons area.
The free parking will be available at the West Falls Church, Dunn Loring and Vienna stations during the shutdown. The West Falls Church station’s parking will be cut in half, but the other two stations won’t have capacity limits, according to the project’s website.
People who have reserved parking spots will still be billed for their spots, the website said.
The East Falls Church station will be closed for the summer work and won’t offer any parking, although the Kiss & Ride will allow pick-ups and drop-offs.
For cyclists, bike racks and lockers will still be offered at the stations during the summer work, except for at the East Falls Church station where some racks have been moved.
All Orange and Silver line stations west of the Ballston station will be closed starting tomorrow. The work, which is expected to last through the fall, includes platform reconstruction on the Orange Line and the connection of the upcoming stations to the Silver Line.
Image via Google Maps
(Updated 5/20/2020) Before Orange and Silver line stations temporarily close this Saturday (May 23), Fairfax County officials for the Tysons and Vienna areas want to know more about the closures’ impact.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn plan to hold a virtual town hall on Thursday (May 21), according to staff from Palchik’s office.
The discussion will include representatives from WMATA and the county’s transportation department.
All Orange and Silver line stations west of the Ballston station will be closed through the fall for platform reconstruction at the four Orange Line stations and work to connect the Silver Line with the upcoming stations running from Reston to Ashburn.
The town hall is set to start at 6:30 p.m. People can register online.
Metro is gearing up for work this summer that will close all of the Orange and Silver line stations west of Ballston.
Last week, Metro announced it is expanding its work from just platform reconstruction at several Orange Line stations to include connection of the upcoming Silver Line Phase II stations, which run from Reston to Ashburn.
Low Metro ridership and severely reduced highway traffic due to Virginia’s stay-at-home order prompted the additional work, Metro officials said.
Starting Saturday, May 23, nine stations will be closed through the fall. Free express and local shuttle buses, along with Fairfax Connector routes, will help connect riders traveling around Northern Virginia.
Let Tysons Reporter know if the expanded summer work will impact you.
Metro announced today (Thursday) plans to add Silver Line connection work to its summer construction, which includes platform reconstruction at several Orange Line stations.
Now, all Orange and Silver line stations west of Ballston will be closed starting Saturday, May 23. The nine stations are expected to be closed through the fall.
“This is about two things: working smarter and working safer,” Metro General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld said, adding that the changes will “limit the exposure of our frontline staff and contractors, mitigate delays to our capital program, and minimize inconvenience to the public.”
Metro said that the decision was prompted by “historically low ridership and traffic-free highways” — likely due to Virginia’s stay-at-home order to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to rebuilding four Orange Line station platforms, crews will also work to connect the upcoming Silver Line Phase II stations, which run from Reston to Ashburn.
Riders who normally use the stations will be able to use free express and local shuttle buses.
Metro bus options will include:
- Orange Line Local between Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and Ballston
- Orange Line Express directly between Vienna and Ballston
- Silver Line Local between Wiehle-Reston East, Spring Hill, Tysons Corner and Ballston
While the Fairfax Connector has currently reduced its service, the county bus system said it will offer several routes for riders traveling to the Dunn Loring, Vienna, Tysons Corner and Wiehle Reston-East stations.
Drivers can find free parking at the Vienna and Dunn Loring stations, but won’t be able to park at the East Falls Church station, Metro said.
Due to ridership plummeting and a need to conserve cleaning supplies during the coronavirus pandemic, Metro plans to temporarily close two Tysons stations.
Metro announced last night (Tuesday) that the Greensboro and McLean stations are a part of the 17 stations that will close tomorrow (Thursday).
“While Metro increased its on-hand warehouse inventory of essential supplies,… other items used by Metro’s frontline employees, suppliers are experiencing delivery delays,” the announcement said. “Metro is taking action to make its current 2-3 week warehouse supply stretch until massive orders placed in late January are received.”
Metro has been urging people recently to only use the public transit system for essential trips. Last week, Metro closed the Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations to discourage people from visiting the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin.
“The 19 stations will remain closed until further notice and trains will pass through without stopping,” Metro said.
Map via WMATA/Twitter
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
New Grab-and-Go Food Sites for Students — “We are expanding the grab and go food distribution sites to a total of 29 locations. The food distribution is set up outside the schools. Breakfast will be served from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Cafe Closes in Tysons — “Cafe Deluxe restaurants in Tysons, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland, have closed, early victims of the COVID-19 outbreak. Both leases were set to expire in April, with no plans to renew.” [WTOP]
Coronavirus Prompts Metro to Shifts Hours — “Starting March 16, trains on all lines will operate every 12 minutes on weekdays. That’s comparable to train frequencies on Saturdays, which will stay at that frequency. Sunday schedules will also remain unchanged, with trains every 15 minutes.” [WAMU]
Falls Church Eateries Alter Service — “Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken and Taco Bamba, both in Pimmit Hills, and Liberty Barbecue in the City all announced Monday they will shift to delivery and takeout service only. Spacebar, Northside Social and Dominion Wine and Beer have gone takeout only and Starbucks, with three City locations, said Sunday it was instituting a to-go model for all of its stores nationwide.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Falls Church Shelter Shuts Down for Two Weeks — “The Falls Church Homeless Shelter announced its decision to close the hypothermia shelter on March 16 in response to the growing spread of the coronavirus.” [Falls Church News-Press]
People impacted by the Orange Line closures this summer will have the option to use free shuttle buses.
Beginning May 27, the Vienna, Dunn Loring and East Falls Church stations will be closed through Sept. 7 (Reminder: On March 15, some or all of the parking options will be closed at the Metro stations in the Falls Church and Vienna area.)
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced today (Friday) the routes for the free buses that will replace trains at the affected stations.
Riders can use an online tool to find recommended travel alternatives.
While the Silver Line won’t be closed, WMATA officials have said that the stations from McLean to Wiehle-Reston East will also be affected.
The summer work will include updating slip-resistant tiles, LED lighting, adding new large digital displays and building new shelters on the platforms.
“West Falls Church Station will remain open and serve as the western terminus of the Orange Line,” according to Metro. “Trains will continue to pass through East Falls Church Station while it is closed to minimize service impacts outside the construction area.”
Map via WMATA
Updated at 12:10 p.m. — Normal service has resumed at the Vienna Metro station as of noon, Metro tweeted.
A man has been struck by a train at the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro station.
Firefighters from Fairfax and Arlington counties are currently on scene after the man was struck around 9 a.m.
The man appears to have intentionally “placed himself in the path of the train,” according to Metro Transit Police. He is reportedly deceased.
Riders should expect delays on the Orange line. Train service has been suspended between the West Falls Church and Vienna Metro stations, Metro tweeted.
Shuttle buses are now available at:
- West Falls Church: bus bay B for service toward Vienna
- Vienna: bus bay Q for service toward New Carrollton
- Dunn Loring-Merrifield: bus bay F for service in both directions
Orange Line Metrobus alternatives:
At Vienna – 29N to King St (BL, YL).
At Dunn Loring – 1B to Ballston (OR, SV), 2A to East Falls Church (OR, SV) & Ballston (OR, SV) and 2B to Vienna (OR).
At West Falls Church – 3T to East Falls Church (OR) & 28A to Tysons Corner (SV). #wmata— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) March 9, 2020
Vienna: MTPD and @ffxfirerescue have responded to a person struck by train. Unfortunately, this is a "recovery" operation, as opposed to a rescue. Camera review shows adult male intentionally placed himself in the path of the train. Rail service temp suspended WFC-Vienna. #wmata
— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) March 9, 2020
UPDATED: Orange Line Delay: Train service suspended btwn West Falls Church & Vienna due to a person struck by a train at Vienna. Shuttle buses requested.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) March 9, 2020
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm, call 911 or the Department of Human Services’ emergency services line at 703-228-5160. CrisisLink also has a 24-hour crisis hotline at 703-527-4077 or 800-SUICIDE, or text 703-940-0888.
Happy Friday! Here are the latest stories about the Tysons area that the Tysons Reporter team has been reading:
Tysons Auto Group to Offer Luxury Hybrid Speedsters — “Tysons-based Exclusive Automotive Group has since updated its plans to include sales and service of both Karma Automotive and Koenigsegg vehicles. This will be the first presence for both in the D.C. area.” [Washington Business Journal]
Affordable Housing Spike Expected — “Fairfax County could soon more than double funding for its affordable housing loan program, with local leaders starting work on a new budget that would offer up more than $45.7 million to power affordable development.” [Washington Business Journal]
McLean Falls on Richest U.S. Places List — “The next Virginia town on the list was McLean at 30 with an average household income of $293,323. McLean fell from 25th place last year, although its average income rose from $283,992… Rounding out Virginia towns on the list was Wolf Trap at 47, down from 42 in last year’s ranking. The average household income increased from $261,610 to $265,175.” [Patch]
Falls Church Concerned About Upcoming Metro Parking Closure — “Falls Church’s Assistant City Manager Cindy Mester will be on an urgent conference call with WMATA officials and her counterparts in Arlington and Fairfax Friday in an effort to mitigate the impact on neighborhoods in the City of Falls Church of WMATA’s plans, announced less than two weeks ago, to close the parking lots at the East and West Falls Church Metro stations months ahead of the closing of the stations for platform repairs over the summer.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Thank you for sharing these great pictures with us. We recently had a local Daisy Troop tour the Vienna Police Station. We are glad the children had a wonderful time and also learned about police work. @TownofViennaVA @fcpsnews pic.twitter.com/cEHkZWSKbh
— Town of Vienna Police (@VPDVA) February 28, 2020
