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Snowmageddon total for Vienna, Va. 21.5 inches - William World News
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Snowmageddon total for Vienna, Va. 21.5 inches
  VIENNA, Va. -- Our Vienna Bureau Chief (aka WHY or Dad) sent in this photo from his backyard (table top I believe). 21.5 inches is the official total over there. In Alexandria it was 20.5, so they win the snow challenge I guess. I just dug out one of our cars. That was exciting. I will be shocked if the federal government is open tomorrow. [ flickr : Snowmageddon!/ slideshow] Labels: BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Snowmageddon, Vienna, Virginia, Weather
posted by WFY @ 2:12 PM |
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A snowy weekend recap - William World News
Monday, February 01, 2010
A snowy weekend recap
The latest snowstorm to hit BeltwayLand happened (for the most part) while I was in the Poconos skiing with my wife. We were at Camelback and it is pretty much the same as it always is except that my favorite slope, the Nile Mile has been changed to a blue square from a double green circle. That makes a lot of sense to me, the slope is not too hard, but is not easy either. I love attacking that hill, it take me about five minutes to get down when I really push myself. Oh and we finally hit Yocco's for their hot dogs on the return trip. I'll have a review of that over the next two days. On the way back, we hit snow at about the Mid-County interchange of the Northeast Extension (I-476) and yet saw no snow removal equipment. As we got onto I-95 the conditions were quite slushy, until we hit Maryland. Let me praise the Maryland Transportation Authority for the superior job they did on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway section of I-95 -- the conditions were exceptional given the weather. We could comfortably go over 50 m.p.h. DelDot and PennDot, you blew it. The former I expected, despite numerous boasts about Pennsylvania's snow-readiness by expatriates when compared to BeltwayLand, to do much better. For shame PennDot, for shame. Delaware, most I-95 is a toll road in your state, so you don't have any excuses either. Back in Northern Virginia, I did not get a chance to measure the snow. Sorry internet, I know how much you like photos of rulers in snow. I did take my son sledding at my folks house in Vienna though. That was pretty sweet. Grandee got to pull her grandson around the block in a little red sled too. It looks like we're in for more snow later this week ( Capital Weather Gang), so I'll be better about the ruler everybody. Labels: Alexandria, Fairfax County, I-95, Pennsylvania, Skiing, Vienna, Virginia, Weather
posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM |
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Meteorite hits in Lorton, Va. - William World News
Friday, January 22, 2010
Meteorite hits in Lorton, Va.
Almost-close encounter: Meteorite hits Lorton doctor's office - The PostSince the meteorite that hit Dr. Frank Ciampi's office didn't hurt anybody, it's awesome. That should be an interesting claim to the insurance company. Funny thing, I just mentioned this to my co-workers as I was typing and one of them goes "oh my sister was talking about that on channel 9." It turns out her sister is chatting about it right now on The Post's website. Small world, err universe. Labels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Virginia, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot
posted by WFY @ 12:19 PM |
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Snowpocalypse '09 has begun! - William World News
Friday, December 18, 2009
Snowpocalypse '09 has begun!
 TYSONS CORNER, Va. -- Harris Teeter bread shelf at about 7:30 p.m. I didn't get any.  ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Snowpocalypse '09 arrived in the West End at about 8:30 p.m. By 10:00 p.m. about half and inch had accumulated here. This is going to be a BIG one. Major to historic snowstorm starts this evening - The Post snow, mass hysteria, dogsandcatslivingtogether, Alexandria, Virginia snowpocalypse, eastcoaststormLabels: Alexandria, BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Snowpocalypse, Tysons Corner, Virginia, Weather
posted by WFY @ 10:10 PM |
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Vienna Inn's semicentennial nears - William World News
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Vienna Inn's semicentennial nears
Vienna Inn prepares to turn 50 - The Fairfax TimesThe beloved Vienna Inn is approaching 50 years in business. This is just a fairly standard article about the history of my hometown bar, but I quibble with this statement: The walls, saturated with the smell and color of smoke... Hardly -- at least compared to what it used to be. When Mike and Mollie Abraham still owned it, the ceiling was really dirty from all of the smoke. Now, it is nothing like that -- I suspect when it changed hands the health inspector said something along the lines of "we were letting Mike slide a little, but you are bringing this joint up to code!" Also, some specifics to something I've been saying for years -- they used to sell more Budweiser than anybody: "In 1979, when the drinking age in Virginia was still 18, the Vienna Inn sold more Budweiser beer that year than any other bar or sports stadium in the United States, except Yankee Stadium — over 10,000 kegs..." This is why the Clydesdales used to show up in the Vienna Halloween Parade every year. Apparently, they don't just show up for everyone. Vienna Inn, Vienna, VirginiaLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Food and Drink, Vienna, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM |
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No Safeway I would not like to make a donation to breast cancer - William World News
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
No Safeway I would not like to make a donation to breast cancer
 FRANCONIA, Va. -- Every time I go to Safeway, I'm asked if I want to make a donation to breast cancer. What are they doing donating to breast cancer? It sucks and doesn't need any help! Oh, this is supposed to be an anti-breast cancer donation -- why didn't you say so?! Safeway, breast cancerLabels: BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Virginia, Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot
posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM |
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What's wrong with this picture? - William World News
Friday, August 07, 2009
What's wrong with this picture?
 Other than the lighting, what's wrong with this photo? Labels: BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, I-95, Photography, Transportation, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM |
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Should Fairfax County become a city? - William World News
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Should Fairfax County become a city?
To Be or Not to Be Fairfax County? - The PostRemember last fall when I blogged about Northern Virginia becoming the 51st state after Washingtonian published an article on the subject? A similar, more local question has emerged in the last few weeks -- should Fairfax County become a city? The primary advantage seen in making this change would be the new city taking over the roads from the Commonwealth of Virginia. In doing so, they would also be given new taxing powers to fund those roads. On the one hand, more local control of roads is appealing, on the other hand it would mean more taxes and don't think for a second that there will be less state taxes to offset the new city taxes. If you remove the taxation angle, this is really a fun semantic argument. The 400+ square miles of Fairfax County, home to over 1 million people, include subdivisions, a few large clusters of office space, parks, fading "horse country," expansive riverfront parks and just a few actual traditional towns.Changing the jurisdiction from county to city would not mean the whole county would suddenly becoming more urban, despite what may be feared. The suburban sprawl that so many find preferable to a more urban setting is here for the duration whether the municipality is called a county, city or prefecture. There are efforts to transform some areas, like Tysons Corner, into something more urban with mass transit and less automotive-related development, but that is just a small area. Cul-de-sac culture will prevail overall. My take -- just leave it as it is. The road issues are problematic of course, but I really don't think adding more taxes will fix much since the Commonwealth would probably cut back so much on funding that the county could not make up for that loss. Ultimately, we are at least a generation away from this becoming an viable option any way with all the legal and legislative hoops that need to be jumped through. Fairfax County shall remain. I could see Arlington becoming a city, since it essentially is in everything but name, but I believe there are too many hoops for it to jump through, so it will probably remain a county too. MOREEverything's Fine in Fairfax (City) - The PostResidents of the city of Fairfax, the incorporated county seat, like the way things are just fine, thank you. ROBERT MCCARTNEY - Fairfax's Idea To Be a City Powerful Ammo For Road Funds - The PostThe new Metro section columnist gives a thumbs-up to the plan. Fairfax County, VA, Virginia, suburbsLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:17 PM |
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TysonsTunnel.org, Sierra Club sue for underground Silver Line - William World News
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
TysonsTunnel.org, Sierra Club sue for underground Silver Line
 Groups to sue over Metro's expansion - WTOPA potential delay to the Silver Line, already being constructed through Tysons Corner, has emerged: The group, TysonsTunnel.org, has been pushing for an underground route through the area. It is teaming up with the environmental group, Sierra Club, to file the suit.
A national watchdog group is expected to join the suit.
Scott A. Monett, president of TysonsTunnel and the vice chair of the Sierra Club's Great Falls group, won't name the watchdog group, but does say it's a "good governance group." Again, too little too late. While I would have preferred an underground Metro line through Tysons Corner for long term cost and aesthetic concerns, I can live with an above ground one. The mobilization for making sure the Silver Line was a tunnel came years too late. This suit, if it does not get thrown out, will just add years to the construction and millions to the cost. Silver Spring seems to do just fine with the Red Line elevated through it, so I think Tysons will too. Crystal City gets by with having an airport and at-grade railroad adjacent to it as well and nobody seems to mind. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM |
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Light rail or BRT for Route 7? - William World News
Friday, April 03, 2009
Light rail or BRT for Route 7?
Should Route 7 be served by light rail or rapid bus service? - WTOPRep. Jim Moran, D-Va. wants light rail or bus rapid transit along VA 7 between King Street station and Tysons Corner. "To do it right, we ought to start it at the King Street station, go all the way up King Street through Alexandria, go through Bailey's Crossroads, pick up the light rail passengers at Columbia Pike so that you would tie into the light rail system that Arlington County is proposing, and then extend this system through Bailey's, through Seven Corners and connect it to the Metro system at Tysons Corner. Sure, why not? I have a feeling this won't go anywhere, but if it had its own right-of-way like Moran wants, it would work. The thing is where is the money and oh yeah, some folks in Alexandria might not want it encroaching on their property along King Street. light rail, VA 7, Leesburg Pike, Northern VirginaLabels: Alexandria, Fairfax County, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM |
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Will Harris Teeter open a store in Seven Corner or Silver Springs too? - William World News
Friday, March 20, 2009
Will Harris Teeter open a store in Seven Corner or Silver Springs too?
 TYSON'S CORNER, Va. -- The Harris Teeter in my work neighborhood doesn't quite know where they are located. I suppose this is just another argument for creating the Tysons, Va. mailing address. HarrisTeeter, Tysons, Tysons Corner, Mclean, VA, VirginiaLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM |
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How the Silver Line Metro is going to be built - William World News
Monday, March 16, 2009
How the Silver Line Metro is going to be built
Metrorail Heading In a New Direction - The PostDetails of what the Silver Line construction through Tysons Corner is going to be like over the next several years. It won't be much fun, but the payoff is huge. Also: Map Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 2:48 PM |
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Metro Rail to Tysons -- Silver Line now official! - William World News
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Metro Rail to Tysons -- Silver Line now official!
Officials Formalize Funding for Dulles Metro Extension - The PostAt long last, the Silver Line, a Metro corridor between Arlington and Tysons Corner is official! ...the real action will start in a matter of days about 15 miles to the west, where demolition of roads and bridges and heavy construction of overhead piers will become an unwelcome fact of life during the next six years for commuters and residents of McLean, Tysons Corner, Vienna and beyond. The result, boosters say, will be worth it: a public transit system serving the region's primary international airport and Virginia's most prosperous jobs corridor.
Today's ceremony at the Transportation Department's headquarters near the Washington Navy Yard featured a roster of local, state and federal luminaries seeking to revel in -- and take credit for -- the project's success. Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and former senator John Warner (R-Va.) were among those attending. Emphasis added by me. This is long overdue and much needed. The next few years in Tysons may not be fun to commute to and from but it is not like it is right now. The second phase of the project from Whiele Ave. to Ashburn still has some hurdles to clear. New Metrorail Line Really Coming - Dr. Gridlock, The PostProject Web site: Dulles Metrorail ProjectI like the headline and the tone of this blog post which includes the backstory of the last year -- make sure you read it. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:16 PM |
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Real snow in Northern Virginia - William World News
Monday, March 02, 2009
Real snow in Northern Virginia
 ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- For the first time in two years, we had a significant snow storm in greater Washington D.C. We were way overdue, just last week Capital Weather Gang was talking about the historic lack of snow over the last few years.  6" feel in western Alexandria. FRANCONIA, Va. -- Several miles south and actually higher in elevation, Franconia only got 4".  TYSONS CORNER, Va. -- Another Fairfax County location checked in with 6 1/4" inches of snow.  Next time I won't rely on the cellphone camera, I'll use a real one. snow, mass hysteria, dogsandcatslivingtogetherLabels: Alexandria, BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Tysons Corner, Virginia, Weather
posted by WFY @ 1:26 PM |
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Inside the Beltway I-66 widening may not happen - William World News
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Inside the Beltway I-66 widening may not happen
 Vote to Forgo I-66 Expansion Imperils Federal Funds, Increases Ire - The PostBad news for a sensible widening project: The I-66 project would connect a series of acceleration and deceleration lanes, effectively widening the westbound road from two to three lanes between Fairfax Drive and Sycamore Street and expanding it between Washington Boulevard and the Dulles Airport Access Road from three lanes to four. That is exactly what I suggested they do four years ago, but it was voted down by Metropolitan Washington Council of Government's Transportation Planning Board. Not surprisingly, Arlington members voted against it, but "the swing votes during Wednesday's meeting turned out to be Fairfax County's. Both of Fairfax's representatives on the panel, county supervisors Catherine M. Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) and Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence)." I do not understand why they cast the votes they did. Arlington is rightfully proud of developing a well-zoned, pedestrian and transit oriented community that sets a standard for new urbanism. I loved living in Arlington for this reason. I do not believe I am alone in that situation. The "Arlington vs. the other suburbs" attitude has got to go -- a lot of us would live in Arlington if it were more affordable. I would have benefited from this widening as a pro-transit Arlington resident who "reverse commuted" by car from Pentagon City to Tysons everyday for five years. What makes this widening so desirable was that it would not need to remove any houses and would not detract from the transit. I could see the need to possibly detour a few sections of the Custis Trail, but it would not be significant. This would be a sensible project and I hope it is resurrected. I-66, interstate, Arlington, VALabels: Arlington, BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Transportation, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:00 PM |
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Are Fajita Wars the new Cola Wars? - William World News
Monday, February 23, 2009
Are Fajita Wars the new Cola Wars?
 TYSON'S CORNER, Va. -- On a recent excusion to one of Tysons Corner's casual dining restaurants, On the Border, I learned that it is home to the FAJITA REVOLUTION. Apparently, they are revolutionizing the way I enjoy fajitas. I disagree as I had brisket tacos instead. That is not the point though, apparently fajitas are much more serious than I could have possibly imagined. You may recall that On the Border's neighbor, Chili's, told me I could control my own Fajita Destiny. Are fajitas the next conflict in foodstuff marketing, like the Cola Wars* of the late 1980s? I wonder how much further marketers will take this trend. Will be seeing things like Fajita Century, Generation Fajita, or Fajita Reich? *My Advertising 320 professor told the class a couple of times, in muted tones, that he was a "veteran of the Cola Wars." fajitas, On The Border, "mexican" food, casual diningLabels: BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Food and Drink, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM |
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Tysons gets a grocery store again - William World News
Friday, January 16, 2009
Tysons gets a grocery store again
 TYSON'S CORNER, Va. -- When I was a kid there was a Giant Food in Tyson's Corner Center mall, but it closed over 20 years ago. Now, for the first time since they, the Tysons area has a grocery store. A new Harris Teeter opened on Park Run Drive near Westpark Drive. Tysons residents and workers no long have to drive to Vienna or McLean for groceries, a wonderful development. HarrisTeeter, Tysons, Tysons Corner, Mclean, VA, VirginiaLabels: BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 9:26 AM |
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# posted by :
Monday, February 02, 2009 9:41:00 PM
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, February 04, 2009 11:22:00 AM
Silver Line gets final USDOT approval - William World News
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Silver Line gets final USDOT approval
U.S. Transportation Chief Backs Dulles Rail Project - The PostThe Silver Line is very, very close to being official. After a series of regulatory setbacks in 2008, rail to Dulles was revived last month when the Federal Transit Administration discarded long-standing skepticism about the project's cost and management and sent it on to Peters for final action. Yesterday's news marks what state, local and congressional boosters said is the government's irreversible approval of the project. All that remains for a sixty day comment period in Congress and then presumably the project is officially underway. Planned completion of the first phase of the line, between Whiele Ave. in Reston and West Falls Church is 2013. It will be thirty years too late, but better late than ever. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:05 PM |
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Truck chase ends near my office building - William World News
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Truck chase ends near my office building
High-speed tractor-trailer chase ends in Tysons - WTOPThe chase, which began on Interstate 270 South in Maryland and continued onto the Outer Loop of the Beltway and into Virginia, ended shortly before 4 p.m.
Jones eventually left the Outer Loop of the Beltway at Exit 46 and drove toward the Tysons Corner area.
The 18-wheeler smashed into trees and stopped on a sidewalk at the intersection of Westpark Drive and Park Run Drive in Tysons Corner. Tractor-Trailer Leads Police on Chase Along I-270 - The PostI looked out the window and saw "airwolf" flying low parallel to the Capital Beltway and later found out it was this chase. Surprisingly, this did nothing to increase my commute time on the way home, even though the chase ended mere minutes before I left. truck chase, Virginia, Maryland, Tysons CornerLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Maryland, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 6:30 PM |
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FTA officially says yes to Silver Line - William World News
Thursday, December 04, 2008
FTA officially says yes to Silver Line
Federal Regulators Sign Off on Dulles Rail Extension - The PostThe Federal Transit Administration approved the extension, which now heads to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the Office of Management and Budget for final sign-off. Approval from the FTA, where regulators had attacked the proposal as too expensive and poorly managed, is widely viewed as a critical moment for a project that local and state officials say is crucial to relieve traffic and spur economic growth at Tysons Corner and along the Dulles corridor. Feds approve first phase of Dulles Rail project - WTOPThis is great news for our region, this is a badly needed project. Hopefully Peters and OMB will sign off soon and the construction can really get going. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 6:11 AM |
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Freddie Mac's pedestrian overpass - William World News
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Freddie Mac's pedestrian overpass
 TYSON'S CORNER, Va. -- Is it just me or is the pedestrian overpass over Jones Branch Drive between Freddie Mac buildings not at all ostentatious? I figured I would mention it with Freddie being in the news so much this month. Freddie Mac, pedestrian bridge, TysonsCorner, Mclean, VirginiaLabels: BeltwayLand, Datelines, Fairfax County, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 11:30 AM |
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Fajita destiny? - William World News
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Fajita destiny?
TYSON'S CORNER, Va. -- A recent excusion to the Tyson's Chili's with co-workers revealed this unusual marketing campaign for fajitas.  I did not get the fajitas for three reasons: Economical: When dining at Chili's, Friday's, Flingers, etc. I find the best way to handle the situation is order the least expensive tolerable food possible. Fajita's were something like $15 I think. I wound getting some sort of chicken fingers selection for something like $8. Think of it as damage control. Gastronomical: I am not a big fan of fajitas and all those peppers don't work too well for me. Semantic: I'm no Calvinist, but isn't destiny preordained? Fajita destiny is just a bit over the top, no? Chili's, fajitasLabels: Datelines, Fairfax County, Food and Drink, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM |
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Schrag on Silver Line reversal - William World News
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Schrag on Silver Line reversal
Recently, I reached out to George Mason University history professor Dr. Zachary Schrag for commentary on the Federal Transportation Administration's decision to continue funding the Dulles Corridor Metro line. He was kind enough to provide some commentary: At this point, the history of the Silver Line has been marked by such tangles of planning, engineering, architecture, finance, and politics that it rivals in complexity the decision to build the original Metro system. I am not going to write a book on the subject, but I hope someone else takes up the challenge. Schrag wrote The Great Society Subway about Metro. In it, he argued that building the Orange Line to Tysons in the first place might have made more sense. PREVIOUSLYSchrag on Dulles-Tysons Metro situation2006 INTERVIEW: Q & A: The Great Society Subway Metro, WMATA, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 5:51 AM |
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The Silver Line's long road ahead - William World News
Friday, May 02, 2008
The Silver Line's long road ahead
Dulles Rail Still Has Miles to Go, Hurdles to Clear - The PostA lot still needs to happen for the Silver Line to get built and there are a few ways and a number of people who will try to stop it. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 6:12 AM |
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Lazarus Metro line roundup - William World News
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Lazarus Metro line roundup
EDITORIAL - Dulles Rail's Revival - The PostIts resurrection is a triumph of common sense over dogma and suggests that, contrary to the general impression of the state of governance in Washington, rational outcomes remain possible when grown-ups put their heads together. More specifically, it is a testament to the wisdom and perseverance of officials at Metro, which would operate the 23-mile extension; the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which would manage its construction; Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), who spearheaded the lobbying with Transportation Secretary Mary Peters to reverse what had seemed like the feds' unequivocal rejection; and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). Let us hope this cooperation continues on what may be a bumpy ride on the way to making this Metro line happen. Metro Extension Plan Revived, But Officials Include Conditions - The PostDulles rail project gets federal reprieve - The Wash. TimesRail decision thrusts Tysons development back to forefront - The Wash. ExaminerThe details on how this came together and some information about what still needs to happen for it to keep going. The biggest sticking point will be addressing the current Metro system woes and find the funding to fix them. It is not over yet, not by a long shot and may in fact just be getting started. After Months of Lobbying, Business Leaders Can Celebrate - The PostThe revival of the Silver Line is a cause for celebration in business circles. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:47 PM |
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More details on Dulles Corridor Metro - William World News
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
More details on Dulles Corridor Metro
Dulles Rail Gets Federal Approval - The PostAs expected (since this morning at least), USDOT announced today that it is now supporting the proposal to build the Silver Line along the Dulles Corridor. In a letter to Kaine and in a 10 a.m. conference call with the governor and Virginia congressional leaders, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said the $5 billion project had finally met the Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership. The project will now move into the final design phase, a major step toward receiving $900 million in federal funding.
"As a result of the collaboration between federal and state officials, the project sponsor and other project stakeholders, the financial stability and oversight of the project has improved," Peters wrote to Kaine in a letter obtained by The Washington Post. "Cost reductions have been verified and mechanisms have been established to enhance inter-organizational cooperation, technical capacity and project management." Good news, but this isn't fait accompli just yet: Still, Peters went on, "much work remains" to make the project right. Today's approval comes with conditions that must be met if the project is to receive federal funding. Without that money, state and local officials have said that the project would die, ending the possibility of a long-sought rail connection between the nation's capital and its major international airport. Supporters say the line would ease congestion through Virginia's biggest jobs corridor and keep the economy humming with the transformation of suburban Tysons Corner into a thriving downtown.
Among the conditions, Peters said in her letter, is a sweeping demand that Virginia and the Metro system guarantee the capital investment necessary to maintain and operate Metro. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recently identified $489 million in "urgent unfunded capital needs," Peters said. Virginia better not drop the ball on this one. There is a chat about the decision going on right now on washingtonpost.com. EARLIER: Silver line back on track?!UPDATE 6:30 a.m. Thursday: I will be posting more about this topic after 12 p.m. today, so check back later. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 12:41 PM |
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Silver line back on track?! - William World News
Silver line back on track?!
Dulles Rail Set to Get Federal Approval - The PostApparently, Virginia and the U.S. Department of Transportation has found a way to make the Dulles Corridor Metro project, tentatively called the Silver Line, meet the "Federal Transit Administration's standards for cost efficiency, construction and expected ridership." It appears U.S. DOT secretary Mary Peters overruled FTA. Good job, Peters that was the correct decision. This is excellent news, I am glad that we can finally get started on a project that is long overdue. Now, we get to see the tunnel vs. elevated argument start up again. I would love to see it underground, but I don't see that happening at this point. Metro, WMATA, Silver Line, Mass Transit, subway, Tyson's Corner, FTA, MWAA, Dulles AirportLabels: BeltwayLand, Fairfax County, Metro, Silver Line, Transportation, Tysons Corner, Virginia
posted by WFY @ 5:16 AM |
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William F. & William R. Yurasko
December 20, 2009
Alexandria, Va.
Photo by Erica Yurasko
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VIENNA, Va. -- Our Vienna Bureau Chief (aka WHY or Dad) sent in this photo from his backyard (table top I believe). 21.5 inches is the official total over there. In Alexandria it was 20.5, so they win the snow challenge I guess.
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