Comcast Corp. is planning to expand its network to more businesses in Reston by the end of the year.
The media and technology company says it plans to pump $3 million in an effort to boost the network in Reston, Chesterfield, Sterling, Fredericksburg, Woodbridge and Charlottesville, according to a news release from the company.
“High-speed Internet and secure networking services are a must-have to attract businesses,” Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barry DuVal said in a press release. “The latest investments and network expansions across Virginia are a testament to Comcast Business’ commitment to fostering economic development in our local communities.”
The project is expected to expand Comcast’s broadband network to more than 250 businesses in the area. The network can deliver speeds of up to 1.2 gigabit-per-second or more for small and medium-sized businesses and up to 100 gbps for larger businesses.
Businesses will also have access to Comcast’s business products and services.
“Capacity, network performance and security are critical factors in doing business today. With Comcast’s latest fiber-rich expansion in Virginia, more local businesses will now have access to additional technology service options that will help them to be more successful and outpace their competition,” said Dan Carr, regional vice president of Comcast’s Beltway region.
The planned expansion in Reston and elsewhere follows a two-year, $28 million investment that built out Comcast’s network in the mid-Atlantic, including Tysons. That project was completed this past June, according to a company spokesperson.
Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced yesterday that the Commonwealth will receive about $5 million for broadband expansion projects. It is Virginia’s first allocation from the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program created by the bipartisan infrastructure law that Congress adopted last year.
Despite Fairfax County’s overall affluence and increasing urbanization, broadband coverage is uneven with gaps concentrated in communities of color and low-income households, a county analysis found last year. Staff reported in June 2021 that an estimated 4.2% of houses have no access to broadband internet, including 10.7% of households in north Reston.
A new hair salon is opening this weekend at Reston’s South Lakes Village Center.
Great Clips will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. with $7.99 haircuts.
Located at 11130 South Lakes Drive in Suite E, the salon will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
“We are very excited to join the Reston community and provide convenient, reasonable-priced haircuts for the entire family,” said Sean Carroll, Great Clips franchisee and military veteran.
The Reston location’s staff includes a team of graduates from South Lakes High School.
The salon offers walk-in services and includes haircuts, shampoos and styling. The company has more than 4,400 salons in the U.S. and Canada.
The village center, which is nearly 110,000 square feet, is managed by the Chevy Chase Land Company. Other tenants includes Safeway, Chipotle, Red’s Table and UPS.
Drivers on the Dulles Toll Road can expect to pay higher tolls beginning next year.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s Board of Directors voted yesterday morning to increase fees for users of the toll road — bringing tolls to $6 for the average driver.
The increase is expected to cover highway operations and maintenance costs, along with a dedicated set-aside for phase two of the Silver Line, which opened Tuesday (Nov. 15). The increase does not directly fund cost overruns associated with the project and has long been anticipated as part of a long-term funding plan.
At the main line plaza, tolls will rise from $3.25 to $4 for two-axle vehicles, $6.50 to $8 for three-axle vehicles, $7.75 to $9.25 for four-axle vehicles, and $9 to $10.50 for five-axle vehicles.
At the ramps, tolls will increase from $1.25 to $2 for two-axle vehicles, $3 to $4 for three-axle vehicles, $3.50 to $4.50 for four-axle vehicles, and $4 to $5 for five-axle vehicles.
The next toll increases is slated for 2028, according to MWAA’s board. “Modest” toll rate hikes are generally expected every five years, MWAA wrote in a statement.
MWAA also plans to collect a $1.60 administrative fee to process tolls for drivers who do not pay with the EZPass. The move comes as the toll road makes a shift to all electronic collections next year.
MWAA plans to eliminate toll boots at existing toll lanes in the coming months.
“Eliminating toll booths is expected to speed traffic flow and benefit the environment by reducing emissions that would have been produced by vehicles waiting in toll-booth lines,” MWAA wrote in a statement.
Reminder: I-495 Exit to Toll Road Changes Today — “Beginning on or about November 17, drivers traveling on northbound I-495 (Capital Beltway) to westbound Dulles Toll Road will take an earlier exit, rather than the existing left exit (Exit 45), which is closing to allow room for construction of a new, replacement I-495 bridge over the Dulles Toll Road ramps.” [VDOT]
FCPS Considers Changes to Grading Policies — Fairfax County Public Schools is considering altering its high school grading policy for the first time in five years “after principals reported variation in grading processes from school to school.” Possible changes include whether to continue with a 100-point scale or shift to “a standards-based scale,” and how to determine a student’s final grade. [WTOP]
Silver Line from D.C. to Dulles Airport Reviewed — “Taking a 90-minute train ride instead of a 35-minute drive to catch a flight might not sound like an ideal transportation swap. But it’s a choice I made hours after the Silver Line extension opened and one that local officials hope you will make now that Metrorail goes to Dulles International Airport.” [The Washington Post]
Prince William Data Center Could Affect Fairfax County Water — “Action earlier in November by one of Fairfax County’s neighbors may negatively impact the Occoquan Watershed, primary source of water for Fairfax Water’s Occoquan Reservoir.” A comprehensive plan amendment approved on Nov. 2 by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors would allow a large, much-debated PW Digital Gateway data complex to be built. [The Connection]
County Offers Toolkit to Help Address Food Insecurity — Started by a local parent, the Fairfax County Health Department’s “Care to Share” initiative encourages schools and other organizations to donate extra food to food banks and pantries in need. The program is active at “several sites” in the county, and a new toolkit provides information for groups looking to start their own. [FCHD]
Fairfax Auto Dealer Acquired — “Springfield’s Safford Automotive has purchased Fairfax’s Brown Automotive Group in one of the largest dealership transactions in the country this year…With the acquisition, Safford adds Brown’s 14 franchised car dealerships, one used-car outlet and a muscle and classic car shop to its roster.” [Washington Business Journal]
FCPS Will Have Covid Testing After Thanksgiving — “COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county November 28-30 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID.” [FCPS]
Virginia Gets $5 Million to Expand Broadband — “Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $4,999,975.50 in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding for…the Commonwealth. Awarded to Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, this first phase of funding will allow Virginia to develop their plans for deploying funding made available under the bipartisan infrastructure law to expand access to high-speed internet.” [Mark Warner]
It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 47 and low of 33. Sunrise at 6:55 am and sunset at 4:55 pm. [Weather.gov]
Connolly noted that public transportation was part of the original vision for Dulles Airport when it first opened six decades ago, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that the idea really started taking off.
“When we started to revive this [idea] 25 years ago, it was a lonely place and a lonely time. There weren’t many people who were enthusiastic about it,” Connolly said. “There were plenty of people who advised us against it. ‘You can’t. You shouldn’t try it. Don’t even think about it.’”
Even more recently, with the pandemic shifting work and commuting habits, there was some apprehension around investing in a major project that would move lots of people to offices that all of sudden didn’t have as many employees.
But Alcorn says the pandemic hasn’t reduced the future impact that the Silver Line Phase II will have on the county and region.
“We do have challenges, but I don’t see the pandemic as changing…the long-term good investment that Metrorail will have on this corridor,” he told FFXnow.
McKay agreed, saying an investment of this nature could actually drive people back to Metro, since it will now be accessible to thousands more.
“Today, opening these stations, we’re literally opening a whole new world of opportunity for people who never had [this type of] transit available to them,” he said.
For all the focus on Silver Line Phase II’s past challenges and future potential for long-term growth and economic development, longtime Del. Ken Plum (D-36) highlighted those who the new rail line is designed to support.
“It’s not about…wanting to talk about the ups and downs of getting the project [done],” he said as rain poured steadily outside the Innovation Center station. “It’s about those people who will be riding the Metro to work and the people who will be able to get home in a timely way. That’s what it’s really all about — those people who are being served.”
(Updated at 6:30 p.m.) Eight people in the Town of Herndon were forced out of their home last week by a fire that caused nearly $300,000 in damages.
According to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the fire started early in the afternoon last Wednesday (Nov. 9) in the garage of a two-story house in the 800 block of Winterhaven Place.
There were four people at the home at the time of the fire, according to the fire department. FCFRD said the fire was discovered when one person went to the garage to reset a computer router that was not working.
“[That occupant] closed the door between garage and home, and alerted all occupants,” FCFRD said. “All safely evacuated the house. Smoke alarms were present but did not activate due to the location of the fire.”
One of the homeowners told FFXnow that the characterization of the fire in the news release is inaccurate, stating that she and her son-in-law were the only people home at the time and no one went to the garage to check a router.
“I actually was getting ready to leave for a doctor’s appointment, and it was my son-in-law that smelled smoke,” she said. “We were nowhere near the garage. We didn’t know there was a fire. We had no idea until a neighbor was banging on our door.”
An FCFRD spokesperson says the information released this morning came directly from its fire investigator’s official report, noting that the department uses “occupants” to refer to anyone present at the time of a fire, not just residents.
She said the investigator confirmed that there were four occupants at the house: two residents and two workers.
The homeowner confirmed that a cat was rescued by units from the Fairfax County, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Loudoun County fire and rescue departments, which collectively responded around 1:33 p.m.
An investigation found that the fire was accidental and “electrical in nature.” By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had extended to the house’s attic.
Red Cross assistance was accepted and no injuries were reported. The fire department estimates that property damages totaled approximately $298,000.
“The house was a complete loss,” the homeowner said, disputing the reported estimate. She said her insurance company is currently conducting a separate investigation.
The FCFRD spokesperson said “it’s unfortunate if she doesn’t agree with the estimate,” but that number is the one in the department’s official report and won’t be changed.
UPDATE – Town of Herndon House Fire Displaces Eight. One cat was rescued. @MWAAFireRescue and @LoudounFire assisted. Damages of $298,000. More: https://t.co/Yf9SJBJBO5 #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/4XFrcaKU1j
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) November 16, 2022
Developers Hope Silver Line Opening Will Boost Activity — “Officials responsible for building and operating the 11.4-mile, $3 billion extension…have insisted that it will spark and sustain considerable development…For developers, they’re hoping those words ring true, that it supercharges multimillion-dollar investments they’ve bet on, but also brings more riders back to the office from previously hard-to-reach residences” [Washington Business Journal]
Herndon Election Results Certified — The Fairfax County Board of Elections has certified the results of the Nov. 8 contests, cementing Herndon Mayor Sheila Olem’s reelection. Town Council candidate Stevan M. Porter fell just 119 votes short of Donielle Scherff, one of five victors, but said he won’t call for a recount. [Patch]
Silver Line Boosted Tysons Office Rents — “After Phase 1 opened with four stations in Tysons, that area’s office market experienced an acceleration in rent prices compared to nearby Reston, data shared with Bisnow by CompStak found. Since 2014, average effective rents were up 26.6% in Tysons and up 17.7% in Reston” [Bisnow]
Herndon Man Arrested for Carjacking Attempt — A 40-year-old Herndon man was arrested on Nov. 7 and faces charges of attempted carjacking, aggravated assault of a police officer, simple assault and destruction of property. The incident occurred just before 2 p.m. and led to him being treated at a hospital for minor injuries. [Herndon Police]
Feedback on Middle School Recess Positive — “At the beginning of this school year, Fairfax County Public Schools introduced middle school recess after a pilot program showed this age group does better in the classroom when free play factors into their day. According to principals, students, and teachers, that decision, along with the move to eliminate cell phone usage, is already paying dividends.” [FCPS]
General Assembly Gets Bill on Trans Students in Sports — Republican Del. Karen Greenhalgh of Virginia Beach has introduced a bill that would bar transgender students in K-12 and colleges from competing on teams that correspond with their gender identity. The bill would require athletics to allow students on teams based on their sex assigned at birth and could even affect private schools by banning them from playing against public schools unless they also comply. [The Washington Post]
FCPD Hires Incident Support Services Director — “Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department is pleased to announce the appointment of Vera Daniel as Director of FCPD’s Incident Support Services. In this role, Director Daniel will work with Major Greg Fried to develop prevention strategies, techniques, and training aimed at supporting officers who may have been impacted by traumatic events.” [FCPD]
County Adds Public Health Training Program — “The ‘Public Health Youth Ambassador Program,’ coordinated by the Fairfax County Health Department, is a free educational program that trains local high school students from the African, African-American and Hispanic communities as community health workers. Thirty local high schoolers are currently enrolled. The program seeks to enroll an additional 60 students between now and June 2023.” [FCHD]
It’s Wednesday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 51 and low of 37. Sunrise at 6:54 am and sunset at 4:55 pm. [Weather.gov]
Teddy bear with a face mask and stethoscope (via Myriam Zilles on Unsplash)
(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) While the wave of COVID-19 cases seen over the past two winters hasn’t yet materialized this year, increased reports of other respiratory illnesses have local hospitals and health officials bracing for a particularly tough cold season.
Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia public health leaders are urging community members “to maintain their vigilance” and help prevent the spread of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which are both surging earlier than usual.
“This is especially important because as temperatures cool, we spend more time indoors with others, and may travel to gather with friends and family for celebrations who are at increased risk of severe complications from infection,” the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) said in a news release yesterday.
Inova activated its emergency plan to handle a surge in patients last month. The health care provider resumed normal operations on Nov. 8, but said “volumes continue to be high across the health system, particularly in pediatric services.”
HCA Healthcare, which owns Reston Hospital Center and Tysons Emergency, said its facilities in the area have also seen an increase in flu and RSV cases.
“We have been able to manage this increase in volume. We are increasing our staff and streamlining our processes in anticipation of a challenging winter season,” Reston Hospital Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Carnell Cooper said.
Flu season is here
The Fairfax County Health Department confirmed that both flu and RSV cases have been rising locally.
“There is an increasing trend in visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for influenza-like illness and laboratory results of confirmatory tests, and we have investigated a higher number of outbreaks than expected for this time of year,” the FCHD told FFXnow.
Virginia is seeing a very high level of activity for influenza-like illnesses (ILL), as of the week that ended Nov. 5, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The rating by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is based on outpatient visits to health care providers for respiratory illness involving a cough or sore throat and fever.
Per VDH, 9% of emergency department and urgent care center visits in the state are ILL-related, with kids 4 and younger making up 21.4% of visits — continuing a trend that health officials fear signals a worse flu season than in recent years, according to the NVRC.
While no deaths have been reported, Virginia has recorded 5,997 infections and 58 outbreaks so far this flu season, which started in mid-October and typically peaks between December and February.
“While it is unclear what exactly is driving this earlier increase in ILI activity from previous years, based on recent flu season reporting from the Southern Hemisphere, we anticipated this early peak to our own flu season,” the FCHD said.
County health officials recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone 6 months and older. Shots are available from the county by appointment and at pharmacies, doctor’s offices and other locations in the community.
What to know about RSV
In addition to the disproportionate number of flu infections, young kids are getting hit hard by RSV, a common virus that produces usually mild, cold-like symptoms but “can be very dangerous for babies, young children or those who are immunocompromised,” the NVRC says.
“Emergency department and urgent care visits with diagnosed RSV have been increasing rapidly since early September,” the commission said.
According to CDC data, the weekly hospitalization rate for RSV of 3 per 100,000 people was about three times higher as of Nov. 6 than at the same point in 2021. The overall rate for this season is 13 out of every 100,000 people.
Though RSV doesn’t appear to be more transmissible or severe than in the past, limited prior contact with the virus due to social distancing, masking and isolation during the first two years of the Covid pandemic may mean kids have built up less immunity, leading them to get sicker when infected, health experts told The Cut and The New York Times.
While there’s no vaccine for RSV, the NVRC says preventative measures like regular hand-washing with soap and covering coughs and sneezes can reduce the risk of infection.
What about COVID-19?
Covid levels in the community remain low, with the Fairfax Health District averaging 126.4 cases a week, per VDH data.
The district, which includes the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax, has seen a total of 248,068 cases, 5,086 hospitalizations, and 1,683 deaths during the pandemic. 86% of residents have gotten at least one vaccine dose, and 78.3% are considered fully vaccinated, according to the FCHD.
Through the NVRC, regional health officials continue to encourage vaccinations, even with many mass clinics winding down, and offered tips to prevent the spread of all respiratory illnesses:
- Get all members of your family age 5 years and older fully vaccinated with COVID-19 booster shots, and have everyone age 6 months and older get their flu shot.
- If you are sick, do not host or attend any holiday gatherings. Stay at home and consider getting tested if you’re having any symptoms of the flu, RSV or COVID-19.
- Socially distance — stay six feet from others as much as possible. Consider wearing a mask if you cannot keep a safe distance from others, particularly if you are at increased risk of complications from infection.
- If you are having a gathering, consider hosting it outside, or in well-ventilated areas. If inside, consider limiting the number of people at your gathering to allow proper distancing.
- Avoid crowded and indoor areas where distancing is not possible, or where you will be in close contact with anyone who is not a member of your household, or whose vaccination and illness status may be unknown.
- If you think you may have COVID-19 or may have been exposed, get tested and follow guidelines for isolation and quarantine. Testing is also available if you think you may have the flu.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often or use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available. This will help prevent many diseases, including the seasonal flu.
Photo via Myriam Zilles on Unsplash
The Dulles International Airport Metro station platform (via WMATA/Facebook)
It’s official: after years of rising costs and an ever-lengthening construction timeline, the second phase of Metro’s Silver Line has opened to the public.
A train pulled out of the new Dulles International Airport station for the first time shortly after noon following a celebration this morning, where local, state and regional leaders gathered to mark the opening of the 11.4-mile extension of the rail line into Loudoun County.
If everything went according to schedule, an express Silver Line train departed from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station at 1:15 p.m., carrying winning “Silver Ticket” holders straight to Ashburn. The first passenger train from Ashburn to Downtown Largo will leave a little before 2 p.m., making all stops along the way.
First Silver Line train carrying local leaders, officials leaves the Dulles Airport Station #wmata @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/S4fhh8fMSg
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) November 15, 2022
At this morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, which started at 10:30 p.m. at the Dulles station, Rep. Don Beyer said the extension would usher a “once in a generation community infrastructure paradigm shift.”
Metro Board of Directors Chair Paul Smedberg lauded regional and local leaders for coming together to make what was a decades-log planning dream a reality.
“Today represents the best of what transit can do it,” Smedberg said.
Sen. Mark Warner said that the opening is the culmination of years of bi-partisan planning for decades.
“Every one of these speakers are going to come with partially silver hair at this point,” Warner said.
Others characterized the opening as an opening of new opportunities and possibilities.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) said that the project will produce an “incalculable return on investment” despite cost overruns and delays.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who noted that today also marks the 60th anniversary of the airport, said she was confident that the Silver Line will offer a “comeback from Covid.”
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Board Chairman Jeff McKay said the extension provides a much-needed investment for the local economy, noting that the county is a significant economic engine for the commonwealth overall.
The long-anticipated project, which cost upwards of $3 billion, brings six new Metro stations to Virginia and activates the Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County with Metrorail service.
“This is the result of what many people before us have done,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
U.S. Department of Transportation @SecretaryPete sharing…
“What we see here with the ⚪️ Silver Line is democracy at work. Democracy 🇺🇸 in action can be a lot to bear. In the end, people have come together to make this work.” #SilverLineExtension #ridesilver #yourmetro #wmata pic.twitter.com/omKQPNp4Uz— Metro Forward (@wmata) November 15, 2022
Fairfax County staff are still reviewing a draft of Reston’s new comprehensive plan — a two-year-long effort to update the county’s vision for the area, including development goals.
A staff report — which includes responses to public comments — will be released early next year. The draft report covers 14 topic areas and was created after Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn in the January 2020.
At an October Board of Supervisors meeting, staff and some board members anticipated major changes to the draft text. Supervisors also noted that the plan may be ambitious or difficult to enforce.
County staff expect to offer updates to the Fairfax County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors in December and January, respectively.
That means public meetings will be pushed into the spring of 2023.
In an October newsletter, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn noted that he plans to have one-on-one meetings with the other supervisors in the coming months to discuss the plan.
“Residents should continue to provide written input or ask questions about the Reston Comprehensive Plan recommendations here,” Alcorn said in his newsletter.
Silver Line Phase II Arrives — “The #SilverLineExtension opens [today]! We’ll be live streaming our opening event celebration on 11/15 at 10:30 am and we’d love for you to tune in virtually. Check back here in the morning or visit http://wmata.com/silverline around 10:30 to join the excitement. Let’s #RIDESILVER!” [WMATA/Twitter]
Hunter Mill District Supervisor on UVA Shooting — “Once again we are rocked by a senseless shooting at a Virginia school. As a proud graduate of @UVA I am devastated for the school and the whole UVA community. We must find a way to work together to prevent these recurring tragedies and end gun violence.” [Walter Alcorn/Twitter]
School Board Chair on UVA Shooting — “Thinking of all the folks with children and loved ones at UVA. Such a senseless and horrible and preventable tragedy. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. This has got to stop.” [Rachna Sizemore Heizer/Twitter]
Burglary Attempts in McLean Under Investigation — “Fairfax County Police say the incidents happened on Saturday night at two houses located within a mile of each other. The first incident happened around 9:11 p.m. at a house in the 1300 block Lancia Drive, and the second incident happened around 10:14 p.m. at a house in the 1300 block Altamira Court.” [FOX5]
Fairfax County Adds New Glass Recycling Sites — Coinciding with Fairfax Recycles Day, there will be ribbon-cutting ceremonies today to celebrate the addition of two glass recycling dumpsters to the county’s Purple Can Club. The new receptacles are at the Virginia Railway Express station in Burke (10399 Premier Court) and the Saratoga Park and Ride on Barta Road in Springfield. [DPWES]
Fairfax City Seeks Input on New Street Names — “Fairfax City Council is hosting a public hearing on Tuesday to solicit public input on the recommended names submitted by the community for 14 city streets. The council voted in July to change the names due to their association with slavery, the Confederacy, and the myth of the ‘Lost Cause.'” [Patch]
Affordable Housing Improves Home Values, Reports Say — “Fairfax County, like most communities across the nation, is taking urgent steps to address a shortage of affordable housing for individuals and families earning low and moderate income…Industry leaders and advocates alike point to an increasing supply of research that demonstrates the benefits of affordable housing.” [Housing and Community Development]
Seven Corners Phasing Meeting Tomorrow — “Due to technical issues with the Seven Corners Phasing Study virtual meeting held on Nov. 10, 2022, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has scheduled an additional online community meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at 7 p.m.” [FCDOT]
Reston Association Seeks Board Candidates — Four seats will be open for the Reston Association Board of Directors’ election in March of next year. Openings include three-year terms for an at-large director, a Hunters Woods District director and a representative for apartment owners, along with a one-year at-large position. [RA]
It’s Tuesday — Rain starting in the afternoon. High of 47 and low of 34. Sunrise at 6:53 am and sunset at 4:56 pm. [Weather.gov]
After years of anticipation and upwards of $3.1 billion in investments, phase two of the Silver Line will officially open to customers tomorrow.
Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the 11.4-mile extension, which brings six new stations into Loudoun County. Notably, the extension provides a direct connection to Dulles International Airport, with its terminus in Ashburn.
The project also includes the largest rail yard in the Metro system — the Dulles Rail Yard — which is located on 90 acres of the Dulles Airport property.
Grand opening ceremonies
The first train will take off at 1:54 p.m. on the Ashburn Metro station, traveling the full 11.2-mile extension to Downtown Largo in Maryland. The deadline to snag one of 100 “Wonka-style ‘Silver Tickets’” for a preview ride at 1:15 p.m. ended last week via a social media contest.
A slew of grand opening ceremonies and celebratory events are planned throughout the day.
Dulles Airport gets its own big, invite-only ribbon-cutting. Then, at 2 p.m., the Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold its own ceremony at the Innovation Center station.
Meanwhile, county officials will gather at the office building at 1950 Opportunity Way in Reston at 3:30 p.m. for another celebration. Attendees will get a chance to ride the new Reston Town Center shuttle and the new Fairfax Connector routes that start the next day, though service will officially launch Wednesday (Nov. 16).
Town of Herndon officials will also gather at 8 a.m. at the entrance of the Herndon Metro Station on the first full day of service — Wednesday — to celebrate the station’s opening. Newly re-elected Mayor Sheila Olem, State Senator Jennifer Boysko, and Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust are all scheduled to speak.
FCDOT is also planning a family day at the Innovation Center station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.
How the extension works
Trains will run up to every 10 minutes during rush hour, every 12 minutes during midday, evening and weekends, and every 15 minutes during late-night hours.
Riding from the airport to the Metro Center station in D.C. takes around 52 minutes, while riding from the farthest station in Ashburn to Union Station takes 74 minutes.
Fares are based on distance travelled and the time of day, with costs ranging between $2 to $6. One-way trips after 9:30 p.m. are just $2. Metro offers a cost estimator to plan trips online.
Payment is made via Metro’s SmarTrip card, which can also be loaded to your mobile device. A plastic SmarTrip card can be purchased at all Metrorail stations, retail locations and online.
Getting to Metro
Each Silver Line station has a kiss-and-ride drop-off location — except the airport stop. Fairfax Connector buses are also available for all the stations. Detailed routes that service each station are available online.
Local jurisdictions own all the parking facilities near the Metro Stations. Parking fees can be paid by the SmarTrip card. Commuter parking is available for all but the airport and Reston Station stops.
Stations in Reston and Herndon
The Reston Town Center Metro Station (12023-A Sunset Hills Road Reston) is the first of the six new stations and includes two entrances on both sides of the Dulles Toll Road. While there’s no hourly parking in the kiss-and-ride lot, drop-offs are available on both sides. The facility also has 40 bike racks and 22 bike lockers. Future Capital Bikeshare stations are planned. But don’t bring your car and expect to leave it there — there’s no commuter parking.
The Herndon Metro Station (585-A Herndon Parkway) is near a planned transit-oriented development that hasn’t quite kicked off yet. While that project is still in the planning phases, the stop includes parking for roughly 3,500 cars in two garages, along with an exit to the Dulles Toll Road. The facility also has 162 bike racks and 18 bike racks. Two repairs stations and a bottle-filling station are also included.
The Innovation Center Metro Station (13747-A Sunrise Valley Drive) has a parking garage on the south side of the station for 2,000 cars, but parking is reserved and multi-day parking is not allowed. The facility has 177 bike racks and 10 bike lockers. Future electric vehicle charging stations are planned.
While the onset of winter usually heralds the end of farmers markets, Fairfax County announced last week that three markets around the county will brave the chill to continue into December.
“The Fairfax County Farmers Markets have extended the season at three popular market locations,” the Fairfax County Park Authority said in a release. “The Reston Farmers Market will remain open until Dec. 3, 2022; the Burke Farmers Market is open until Dec. 17, 2022; and the McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon Farmers Market will be open until Dec. 21, 2022.”
Along with the extended season, some of the markets will be getting a handful of new vendors and new wintery items typically not available in the other seasons.
“Our farmers and producers will continue to bring an abundance of winter squash, greens, apples, potatoes, fresh-baked breads, locally raised meats, and unique prepared foods,” the release said. “Extended season vendors will bring new products, such as macaroons, bagels, kombucha, Moroccan sauces and more. Be sure to visit Burke, Reston and McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon to support your favorite vendors through the season, and to welcome our new vendors.”
The farmers markets with extended hours are:
- Burke (5671 Roberts Parkway): April 16-Dec. 17, from 8 a.m. to noon
- Reston (1609-A Washington Plaza): April 30-Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon
- McCutcheon/Mount Vernon (2501 Sherwood Hall Lane): April 20-Dec. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon
Customers and vendors had requested a continuation into December for the Mount Vernon market — typically the last one to close just before Thanksgiving, according to Park Authority spokesperson Judith Pedersen.
The Burke and Reston markets were also chosen for extensions, because they’re held on Saturdays, are the park authority’s largest, and “have vendors with enough products and product mix to sustain a vibrant market,” Pedersen told FFXnow.
“Unfortunately, the weather is too unpredictable to extend through the winter,” she said. “However, all vendors from the other markets are invited to participate in the extended season at these markets if they have product to sell.”
A Great Falls man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday (Nov. 11), Fairfax County police say.
Brian Christian Bernhart, 49, died after his Toyota Camry went off the roadway as he was driving near the intersection of Arnon Chapel Road and Arnon Lake Drive.
According to police, Bernhart “overcorrected” when he crossed a double yellow line and hit a tree.
He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“Detectives continue to investigate to determine whether speed and alcohol were factors in the crash,” the Fairfax County Police Department said in a news release published Saturday (Nov. 12).
Here’s how to provide information about the crash:
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact our Crash Reconstruction Unit at 703-280-0543. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers”. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.
That same day, a 37-year-old Maryland resident was killed in a three-vehicle crash on Fairfax County Parkway near Whitlers Creek Drive in West Springfield.
The man, Noe Solis Espinoza, was traveling northbound on the parkway when he lost control of his car and hit two other cars on the southbound side of the median. The driver of one of the other cars was treated for injuries that are not life-threatening, according to the FCPD.
Bernhart is the 18th non-pedestrian to die in a crash on county roads this year, surpassing the 16 fatalities recorded at this point in 2021.
Photo via Google Maps
Accessibility of New Silver Line Stations Still Lacking — “As Metro prepares to open six new rail stations in Northern Virginia, some future passengers are expressing dismay over their limited access for pedestrians and cyclists. While they say they are pleased with station amenities…they see room for more improvements that could provide better connections to the transit points that don’t rely on vehicles.” [Virginia Mercury]
Tysons Sees Slow Progress on Walkability — “Fairfax leaders say plenty of Tysons-area residents are frustrated that walking and cycling doesn’t feel safer or easier. Still, public officials say, the area is showing potential. It will take more time, they say, to find a balance between moving thousands of vehicles and creating space for what they hope will be a growing number of pedestrians and cyclists.” [The Washington Post]
Lorton Man Dies From Medical Emergency — “Police said that they had taken Murray into custody without force after receiving multiple calls about a man ‘acting erratically and disorderly’ at around 4:15 p.m. in the 6500 block of Amherst Avenue in Springfield. At that time, Murray was running into traffic and hitting vehicles as they passed by.” [WTOP]
Chef Peter Chang Opens Fairfax Restaurant — “There’s another new Chang venture in Fairfax flying under the radar with a semi-secretive name: Lu Wei Peter Zhang, which quietly opened in September…The concise menu includes traditional dishes like salt-and-pepper pork feet, marinated beef tendon with pancakes for wrapping, and hot pots with assorted meats.” [Washingtonian]
Falls Church Developer Officially Seals Movie Theater Deal — “Joe Muffler, key point person for the Mill Creek’s Founders Row mixed use development in the downtown area of the City of Falls Church, announced to the News-Press earlier this week that a formal lease has finally been signed with Paragon Theatres for a multiscreen facility at Founders Row.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Sheriff’s Office Dog Dies — “With much sadness, we share with you the sudden and unexpected death of Hank, our young therapy dog. Hank was an Aussie Doodle whose training began at birth for the role he played at the Sheriff’s Office…Hank’s quiet interactions helped manage our stress levels.” [Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook]
Kaiser Opens New Springfield Medical Center — “The new 99,000-square-foot facility at 6551 Loisdale Court in Springfield, set to start seeing patients Monday, replaces the adjacent Springfield site — Kaiser’s oldest Mid-Atlantic property…The new facility expects to serve more than 47,000 Fairfax County residents and 144,000 annual visits.” [Washington Business Journal]
Fort Belvoir Bowling Center Returning — “The bowling alley on the Army garrison is reopening on a limited basis this month. According to Fort Belvoir Family and MWR, the bowling center’s ‘soft opening’ will start Nov. 17, and the facility will operate during set hours every Thursday through Sunday” [On the MoVe]
Mount Vernon RECenter Renovation on Schedule — “Once the rec center shuts down — in January 2023 according to the updated project timeline — FCPA will move out of the facility over a two-week period, and the contractor will take over the site. The newly renovated and expanded rec center with two ice rinks and a dedicated fitness center is tentatively expected to reopen in January 2025.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — Clear throughout the day. High of 48 and low of 33. Sunrise at 6:52 am and sunset at 4:57 pm. [Weather.gov]
