Congestion is the biggest threat we face to our quality of life and our ability to attract and retain good jobs in our region. John is working on real solutions that emphasize public transit, especially rail, to reduce the number of cars on our roads. He is also working to make our communities safer and more accessible for bicyclists and pedestrians, to implement effective transportation demand management programs, to improve bus service, and to improve intersections and roads including widening of Route 7 from Tysons Corner to Reston Avenue. John also knows that in order to address congestion, we must implement intelligent land use policies that are coordinated with transportation, including significant road improvements in and around transit oriented developments.
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Dulles Rail. John believes the transportation and economic development benefits of the Dulles Rail project will be substantial if we control development around transit stations to a level that can be supported by available infrastructure. He worked with the community and the Planning Commission to ensure that the Comprehensive Plan for the land around the Tysons Corner Metro stations provides for phased development based on adequate infrastructure.
John is concerned about the impact of the rail project on communities along its path. He has led several fights to mitigate the impact of rail construction on existing neighborhoods. He has also worked with the community, state legislators and the Airport Authority to ensure noise walls are constructed along the path of the new rail line.
John is also focused on controlling the cost of the rail project to County taxpayers and Dulles Toll Road users. As Chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee, he has been a leader of the County’s effort to monitor and control the project’s budget and schedule.
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Pedestrian and Bicycle Access and Safety. One of John’s primary transportation objectives is to make the Dranesville District more accessible and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. Since taking office in 2008, he has obtained funding for dozens of pedestrian and bicycle improvements including the construction and extension of several sidewalks and trails as well as numerous pedestrian road crossing improvements. Many of these improvements will make it easier and safer for Dranesville residents to access the new Metro stations when they open.
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Route 7 Widening. Many of the roads in the Dranesville District pass through established neighborhoods and communities and major expansions of those roads are not desirable or not possible. Route 7 is an exception. It must be widened in order to increase its capacity and reduce the amount of traffic that cuts through established neighborhoods along its route. John insisted that Route 7 widening from Tysons west to Reston Avenue be included as a transportation priority in the Tysons Corner Comprehensive Plan. He then led the County’s effort to obtain state funding for preliminary design efforts for the project.
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Other transportation improvements. John has obtained approvals and funding to improve several road networks within the Dranesville District. Numerous road and intersection improvements have been constructed or approved including traffic lights on Georgetown Pike at Riverbend Road and Seneca Road, right turn lanes from the Dulles Toll Road ramp onto Centreville Road and from Walker Road onto Georgetown Pike, a round-about on Hunter Mill Road, intersection improvements at Ingleside and Route 123, and many others. He is one of the leaders of the effort that obtained approval and funding for noise walls along the Dulles Rail project and the HOT Lanes project.
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