Northern VA roads and driving
Describes main commuter arteries.
Metro station stop goes underground at Dulles
While the Tysons landscape is dotted with cranes and trusses for the first phase of the Metrorail to Dulles, it is a station stop in phase two that made headlines this week.
The board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority voted 9-4 in favor of an underground station stop at Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, VA.
It will be closer than the above ground option. By about 600 feet. Supporters say underground will be more convenient, especially for travelers with lots of luggage.
And the price tag for going underground? $330 million more than an above ground station.
The airport stop is scheduled for the second phase of the Metrorail project. Phase two will run from Wiehle Avenue in Reston to Ashburn in eastern Loudoun. The project is expected to cost $3.5 billion, including the underground stop, and open in late 2016. However, the additional time needed to build an underground stop may push the opening to mid-2017.
Phase one, now under construction, will connect to the East Falls Church station and include four stations in Tysons Corner. It is scheduled to open in 2013.
Fairfax County officials have endorsed the less-expensive aboveground option.
From Location to Commute, Will This Affect Real Estate?
For those searching for homes in Northern Virginia, the location is always the main and important factor. However, there are a lot of specifications that would decide on a location. Those would be the exact neighborhoods, views, noise, schools, accessibility to shopping centers/ entertainment/ convenient stores/ healthcare and more. But there is one factor that will remain to be the most important specification and that would be Commute.
Washington DC does have the most gridlock highways in the country and as regional planners suggest improvements to handle the current situation, people and employment still rains hard. Although from the perspective of Real Estate it is a blessing but in terms of commute it is already a complicated and challenging situation that would grow into a more challenging one.
According to local news radio WTOP, the Washington DC region is primed to grow by more than 2 million people over the next 25 years, however the same report did highlight that the region needs to build more accessible roads to handle the influx. While as observed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance, once we get beyond our current major roads projects to deal with the current concerns, there are “no improvements in the pipeline after this”.
Based on the current situation we have, the concern of location in Real Estate may as well be commute. A worker’s commute being frustrating and lengthy can and will have a large impact on his or her lifestyle and even personality. Bearing this in mind, the consideration to trade other location features to commute features will definitely arise.
Such commuting features may be:
- Accessibility to current or possible job centers that may include military bases.
- Convenient highway access
- Accessibility to mass transportation like Metrorail
- Proximity to airports – Dulles or Reagan National in Northern Virginia or BWI
- Consideration of toll vs. non-toll highways
- Carpool hours on certain highways that can affect commute
- Accessibility to secondary roads and upcoming road improvements
- Awareness of where “ bottlenecks” can be found
Would such considerations make a large change of location specifications to commute specifications in terms of Real Estate?
What is the HOV Lane on I-66?
I-495 (the Beltway) near Alexandria VA
Many states have the HOV lane incorporated into their interstate system. What is the HOV lane? Let’s start with what it stands for, High Occupancy Vehicle. This simply means that vehicles with more than one person can travel in the HOV lane. There are exceptions such as motorcycles. They are aloud to also use the HOV lane, with or without a passenger. The concept is to get people to commute together, we also call this car-pooling, so it cuts down on traffic, emissions, etc. The benefit to the occupants of the car is getting to where they are going quicker.
I-66 has HOV lanes for your use. The I-66 runs east to west from Washington D.C. then crosses into Virginia. There are HOV lanes inside the beltway and outside the beltway. Below is how the I-66 HOV lanes work.
I-66 HOV Outside the Beltway
5:30a.m.-9:00a.m. – AM Rush Eastbound-HOV2 and Motorcycles Only
3:00p.m.-7:00p.m.- PM Rush Westbound-HOV2 and Motorcycles Only
All Other Time Slots-Open to All Traffic
I-66 Inside the Beltway
6:30a.m.- 9:00a.m.- AM Rush Eastbound-HOV2 and Motorcycles Only
4:00p.m.- 6:30p.m.- PM Rush Westbound-HOV2 and Motorcycles Only
All Other Time Slots -Open to All Traffic
Dulles Airport Traffic is always permitted for all traffic.
For more information on the HOV lanes for I-66 please contact the Virginia DOT at www.virginiadot.org. Always obey the rules of the road and have a safe trip.
photo credit: Daniele Pesaresi
Police Investigate Single-Vehicle Crash
Mount Vernon Police District – Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a 47-year-old man. Around 10:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, Umar Adam was operating a 2008 Honda Civic southbound on South Kings Highway. Near the intersection with Southgate Drive he veered off the road to the right and struck a brick wall. Adam, of 2651 Arlington Drive # 103 in Alexandria, was transported to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash. There were no signs of braking prior to the impact. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Purchasing a home near the highway?
In an area crisscrossed with high volume commuter routes and heavily-trafficked Interstates, it’s inevitable that some folks are going to live in close proximity to a highway. It’s great to be near the Beltway or Route 66 because this can take a serious bite out of your commute. But the downside is that the highways can generate a lot of noise. In most areas, there are towering concrete walls to dampen sound in the neighborhoods in close proximity to the Beltway, I-66, I-395 and other highways.
In the picture above the wall has been taken down as work crews expand the road. Once the expansion is completed, they’ll reassemble the wall. There’s not much you can do about construction, but once the wall is back up, the neighborhood should be relatively quiet. In the homes and condos closest to the walls, I find that the noise sounds a bit like a waterfall—a wooshing white noise that is not particularly offensive. The noise is perhaps worst near an exit. Exit ramps create noise because every so often a trucker exiting the highway will use his “jakebrake”. That is to say, the truck will gear down and emit a loud, low growling noise not unlike a Harley Davidson’s loud pipes.
Here’s a thought to consider if you are purchasing a condominium near the highway. In my travels I’ve found that the condos at the ground floor are much quieter. This is because the condos on the top floor are often just above the sound-break and therefore get the full brunt of the highway noise. Some folks like the noise … it sounds like busy and they like being in the city. Some folks can’t stand the noise and find out the hard way … after they’ve purchased … that they could have gotten a first or second floor unit.
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About the Author — Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County. |
Car Sharing at Northern Virginia Metros
Wouldn’t it be nice to ride the Metro to someplace near your destination and then pick up a car just steps from
the train or bus?
You could use the care to run errands, shop or reach any other business or social event not easily accessible via transit. Then simply return the car to the Metro station and you’re on your way back home.
Well, Metro offers car sharing at
selected Metro stations and around the region at locations convenient
to Metrobus. This is done in partnership with Zipcar. Car sharing is available in Metro Kiss & Ride lots at 39 of the 86 Metrorail stations (see station pages
for locations) and many other neighborhood locations both near Metrorail stations without Kiss & Ride lots and elsewhere in the region.
How does it work?
Zipcar users pay an annual membership fee, then reserve and pick up a car when you need it. A range of vehicles is available. As a member you can pick the car that suits your needs at the time. You can pick a
- compact car,
- van,
- pickup truck,
- convertible,
- or gas/electric hybrid.
See the Zipcar site for further details.
The Beltway
The Capital Beltway is interstate I-495. It circles Washington DC by way of Virginia and Maryland. The Beltway crosses the Potomac at two points. South of DC the Beltway crosses the Potomac via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. North of DC, I-495 crosses the Potomac just south of Great Falls on the American Legion Bridge. The bridges are area choke-points and often snarl traffic at the bridge approach. The sign above is 5.5 miles south of the drawbridge at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
When construction or problems narrow the flow of cars, traffic starts to back up.
But often the Beltway is like any other interstate in America—any other interstate that is 10 lanes wide and circles the capital that is. To search for a home near the Beltway or to find a residence that will fit your commute check with Condo Alexandria.
About the Author: Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty in Alexandria VA. He specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne.
I-395 / Roadway to the Heart of DC
Interstate 395 doesn’t have Metro train service but it carries a massive load of traffic none-the-less. In addition to its 8 to 10 lanes of traffic, 395 has an extra 3 lanes of HOV that switch direction depending on the hour of the day. 395 leaves DC between the Pentagon and Crystal City (both in Arlington) and on the way out to I-95 and the Beltway at Springfield, I 395 passes Shirlington, Landmark, East Falls Church and other neighborhoods. Traffic on 395 is nearly always heavy but only slows during rush hour.
Northern Virginia’s Roads
I-495 along Alexandria VA
Northern Virginia’s traffic is shaped by its proximity to Washington DC and proximity to several important job centers. The world famous Capitol Beltway (Interstate 495) circles DC like a wheel around a hub. The Beltway links Northern Virginia’s suburban communities such as Springfield, Kingstowne, Braddock Road and Vienna to the transportation network. The Beltway generally moves at or above the speed limit most times and most days.
In Virginia, the Beltway travels from the American Legion Bridge upriver to the newly-rebuilt Woodrow Wilson Bridge downriver. At each bridge the Beltway enters Maryland. In Maryland the Beltway loops around DC creating a complete route.
There are several important job centers along 495, such as Tysons Corner. Tysons Corner is poorly served by mass transit and there are regularly scheduled traffic jams at Tysons every rush hour. In addition, the bridges are choke-points for traffic entering and leaving Virginia at the American Legion Bridge and at the recently re-built Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Traffic into Maryland at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge favors Virginia commuters heading into Maryland. Commuters from Virginia generally won’t have much trouble reaching Andrews AFB, the Census Bureau, etc. Conversely, the evening approach to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge backs up with Maryland residents heading home from jos in Virginia. This problem should soon be alleviated greatly as the new bridge comes completely online.
The American Legion Bridge serves many Virginia commuters headed for Rockville, Silver Spring, etc. This burden, coupled with its proximity to Tysons Corner causes the Beltway to slow during rush hour.
The Beltway loops around DC like a wheel around a hub. Many roads and rails in the area link to DC like spokes on that wheel. There are many of these spokes, but in Virginia there are three primary corridors from DC: I-66, I-395, and US 1 together with the GW Parkway. 66 Corridor and Orange Line I-66 is HOV only during rush hour, but other routes (such as 50, 29 & 28) parallel the interstate as it approaches DC. Taken as a whole this road system can carry a tremendous amount of traffic, but it slows considerably during rush hour.
The 66 corridor is also served by the Orange Line, with Metro stops in Arlington at Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston (and more). The Orange Line continues through West Falls Church and then into Fairfax County with a terminal station at Vienna. 66 is used by commuters in Fairfax, Centreville, Manassas and beyond to the hinterlands.
In addition to the routes mentioned above, outside the Beltway 66 is supported by the Dulles Tollroad, which links the area to Dulles Airport and outlying suburbs such as Herndon, Reston and beyond.
I-395
Interstate 395 doesn’t have a Metro train service but it carries a massive load of traffic none-the-less. In addition to its 8 to 10 lanes of traffic, 395 has an extra 3 lanes of HOV that switch direction depending on the hour of the day. 395 leaves DC between the Pentagon and Crystal City (both in Arlington) and on the way out to I-95 and the Beltway at Springfield, I 395 passes Shirlington, Landmark, East Falls Church and other neighborhoods.
Traffic on 395 is nearly always heavy but only slows during rush hour. George Washington Parkway, Rt. 1 and the Yellow & Blue Lines North of the Key Bridge, the 4 to 6 lanes of the George Washington Parkway ties into I-495 at the American Legion Bridge. This route serves Mclean and Northern Arlington County. South of Memorial Bridge,
the George Washington Parkway and US Rt. 1 together only carry 8 to 10 lanes of traffic.
Traffic here is relatively light considering the proximity to the city, and the fact that US 1 has several traffic lights. This route follows the Potomac downriver toward the Beltway at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
This route is also supported by the Yellow and Blue Metro Lines. Taken as a whole, this route serves commuters at Crystal City, Pentagon City, Del Ray, Old Town, New Alexandria and Mt. Vernon to the city. At King St, the Yellow and Blue Lines fork with the Yellow Line continuing toward Mt. Vernon, but ending at Huntington. The Blue Line turns south toward Springfield with stops at Van Dorn and Springfield.
Northern Virginia’s Road Network
Northern Virginia’s traffic is shaped by its proximity to Washington DC and proximity to several important job centers. The world famous Capitol Beltway (Interstate 495) circles DC like a wheel around a hub. The Beltway links Northern Virginia’s suburban communities such as Springfield, Kingstowne, Braddock Road and Vienna to the transportation network. The Beltway generally moves at or above the speed limit most times and most days.
In Virginia, the Beltway travels from the American Legion Bridge upriver to the newly-rebuilt Woodrow Wilson Bridge downriver. At each bridge the Beltway enters Maryland. In Maryland the Beltway loops around DC creating a complete route.
There are several important job centers along 495, such as Tysons Corner. Tysons Corner is poorly served by mass transit and there are regularly scheduled traffic jams at Tysons every rush hour. In addition, the bridges are choke-points for traffic entering and leaving Virginia at the American Legion Bridge and at the recently re-built Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Traffic into Maryland at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge favors Virginia commuters heading into Maryland. Commuters from Virginia generally won’t have much trouble reaching Andrews AFB, the Census Bureau, etc. Conversely, the evening approach to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge backs up with Maryland residents heading home from jos in Virginia. This problem should soon be alleviated greatly as the new bridge comes completely online.
The American Legion Bridge serves many Virginia commuters headed for Rockville, Silver Spring, etc. This burden, coupled with its proximity to Tysons Corner causes the Beltway to slow during rush hour.
The Beltway loops around DC like a wheel around a hub. Many roads and rails in the area link to DC like spokes on that wheel. There are many of these spokes, but in Virginia there are three primary corridors from DC: I-66, I-395, and US 1 together with the GW Parkway.
66 Corridor and Orange Line
I-66 is HOV only during rush hour, but other routes (such as 50, 29 & 28) parallel the interstate as it approaches DC. Taken as a whole this road system can carry a tremendous amount of traffic, but it slows considerably during rush hour.
The 66 corridor is also served by the Orange Line, with Metro stops in Arlington at Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston (and more). The Orange Line continues through West Falls Church and then into Fairfax County with a terminal station at Vienna. 66 is used by commuters in Fairfax, Centreville, Manassas and beyond to the hinterlands.
In addition to the routes mentioned above, outside the Beltway 66 is supported by the Dulles Tollroad, which links the area to Dulles Airport and outlying suburbs such as Herndon, Reston and beyond.
I-395
Interstate 395 doesn’t have a Metro train service but it carries a massive load of traffic none-the-less. In addition to its 8 to 10 lanes of traffic, 395 has an extra 3 lanes of HOV that switch direction depending on the hour of the day. 395 leaves DC between the Pentagon and Crystal City (both in Arlington) and on the way out to I-95 and the Beltway at Springfield, I 395 passes Shirlington, Landmark, East Falls Church and other neighborhoods.
Traffic on 395 is nearly always heavy but only slows during rush hour.
George Washington Parkway, Rt. 1 and the Yellow & Blue Lines
North of the Key Bridge, the 4 to 6 lanes of the George Washington Parkway ties into I-495 at the American Legion Bridge. This route serves Mclean and Northern Arlington County. South of Memorial Bridge, the George Washington Parkway and US Rt. 1 together only carry 8 to 10 lanes of traffic.
Traffic here is relatively light considering the proximity to the city, and the fact that US 1 has several traffic lights. This route follows the Potomac downriver toward the Beltway at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
This route is also supported by the Yellow and Blue Metro Lines. Taken as a whole, this route serves commuters at Crystal City, Pentagon City, Del Ray, Old Town, New Alexandria and Mt. Vernon to the city. At King St, the Yellow and Blue Lines fork with the Yellow Line continuing toward Mt. Vernon, but ending at Huntington. The Blue Line turns south toward Springfield with stops at Van Dorn and Springfield.
