Residents Prioritize Sidewalk, Bike, Bus Improvements In Tysons

As plans for the Silver Line and private Tysons developments move forward, a number of improvements to sidewalks, bike paths and bus routes — along with those networks' connections — are still waiting for plans, funding or both.

From February to May, the Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study asked residents and stakeholders to prioritize those projects in public outreach meetings, an online survey and interviews with public and private stakeholders.

The results, , are outlined below.

SIDEWALK PRIORITIES WITHIN TYSONS (1-mile radius)

Survey Question: If you walk in the immediate Tysons area please select the top five planned sidewalk segments you would like to see constructed.

Of 806 responses:

1. Virginia Dominion Power Easement, between Hidgon Dr and Leesburg Pike (Rt.7): 35.9 percent
2. International Dr, East side, between Fletcher St and Ring Rd: 31.9 percent
3. Westwood Center Dr, North and South, between Cul-de-sac and Sheraton Tysons Dr and Leesburg Pike (Rt 7): 30.6 percent
4. Scots Run Community Park Trail, between Colshire Meadow Dr and magarity Rd: 27.2 percent
5. Tyco Rd, South, between VA Dominion Power Easement and Spring Hill Road: 21.5 percent

Most frequent comments:

• Sidewalks should be complete at least surrounding the Metro stations
• Tysons needs a complete grid of sidewalks
• Safety is the major concern
• Routes 7, 123 and 267 need a crossover for pedestrians and bicyclists
• Pimmit Hills needs better pedestrian connections to Tysons
• All sidewalks need to be ADA accessible
• Pedestrians need to be able to cross safely over 495

CROSSWALK ANALYSIS (One-mile radius)

Survey questions asked: Select the five most important crosswalks [around planned metro stations] to you.

Of 962 responses, the top five projects:

1. Chain Bridge Rd (Rt. 123) and International Dr. East and North: 20.1 percent
2. Chain Bridge Road (Rt. 123)/Old Meadow Rd/Capitaol One Dr: 18.6 percent
3. Leesburg Pike (Rt.7)/Spring Hill Rd, North, West, East, South: 15.4 percent
4. Leesburg Pike (Rt.7)/Gosnell Road, Westpark Dr North: 14.9 percent
5. Leesburg Pike (Rt.7)/Tyco Rd/Westwood Center dr., North, West, East, South: 14.7 percent

Most frequent comments:

• Crosswalks should be complete around Metrorail stations
• Lighting and crosswalk markings needed
• More time is needed to cross at crosswalks
• Crosswalks are essential on Rt. 7 and Rt. 123

TRAIL PROJECTS (One-mile radius)

Survey question asked: Select the top five planned trail segments you would like to see constructed.

Of 856 responses, top five priorities:

1. Vesper Trail: 37.9 percent
2. Segment "J":Near Tysons Galeria: 36.7 percent
3. Segment "K": (near Tysons East): 24.6 percent
4. Segment "L": Near Old Meadow Road
5. Segment "M": Near Magarity Road

Most frequently mentioned comments:

• The trails should be separate for bicyclists and pedestrians
• The trails in Tysons Corner are not safe
• All trails and paths in Tysons Corner should be connected

BICYCLE PRIORITIES (Three-mile radius)

Survey question asked (based on Fairfax County Master Bicycle Plan Map): Is your place of residence or work close to a bike facility/route that leads to Tysons Corner?

Yes: 56.8 percent
No: 43.2 percent

Where would you like to see bicycle routes established?

• Routes 7, 123, 267
• Beulah Road
• Magarity Road
• Towlston Road to Metrorail station
• Old Courthouse Road from Gosnell to Beulah
• Chain Bridge Road
• Lewinsville Road to Rt 123 to Tysons West
• McLean to Tysons COrner
• Old Dominion Drive
• Spring Hill Road
• Trap Road To Dulles Toll Road

Most frequent comments:

• It is too dangerous to ride in Tysons Corner
• There are not enough bike lanes
• Bike lanes need to be separated from traffic
• Lanes, trails and paths are needed just for bicycles
• Bike parking facilites need to be secure, covered and protected by police

BUS PRIORITIES: Regional, Neighborhood and Link Services

Survey Question Asked: Which of these routes are you most likely to use?

Of 509 responses, top five priorities:

1. Leesburg Pike Shuttle 2 (Rt 7): 19.6 percent
2. Leesburg Pike Shuttle 1 (Rt.7): 15.5 percent
3. Metrobus 23A: 13 percent
4. FC 574 (From metro stations through Reston): 10 percent
5. FC 401 (From Franconia/Springfield Metro): 7.5 percent

NEIGHBORHOOD BUS SERVICE (3-mile radius of Tysons Corner)

Survey Question Asked: Which of these neighborhood bus routes are you likely to use?

Of 966 responses, top five route priorities:

1. FC 732 (Wolf Trap Park and Ride Shuttle):20.3 percent No longer on the table
2. Metrobus 2T (From Dunn Loring Metro, up Maple Avenue, To Tysons): 17.6 percent
3. McLean Connector: 14.9 percent
4. Metrobus 3T: 14.1 percent
5. FC 463 (From Vienna Metro To Tysons): 8.8 percent

• Bus service must be frequent
• Old Dominion Drive needs bus service
• Beulah Road needs bus service for the entire length
• All day and weekend bus service is needed
• Covered bus shelteres are needed
• Use smaller, more efficient buses for local service
• North Vienna needs bus service

LINK BUS SERVICE WITHIN TYSONS CORNER

Which bus service within Tysons Corner do you anticipate using most frequently?

Of 594 responses, top five priorities:

1. Central Link via Westpark: 27.9 percent
2. West Link: 25.4 percent
3. Beltway Link: 23.7 percent
4. Greensboro Link: 13.3 percent
5. East Link via Jones Branch: 9.6 percent

The full study will be available online in mid-October.

To see maps of planned routes or improvements, click through the media player above the article.