Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission
Meeting Summary

Date: Regular Meeting – September 5, 2006

TAC Commissioners in Attendance: Chairman George Barker, Vice Chairman Janyce Hedetniemi, Jeff Parnes, Roger Hoskin, Brian Deery, Eric Thiel and Harry Zimmerman.

Others in Attendance: Department of Transportation Staff Michael Lake, Rick Stevens.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman George Barker at 7:15 pm

Meeting Minutes: A summary of the July 18, 2006, Regular meeting was approved.

Main Topics Discussed

Board Referrals:
There were no new referrals from the Board of Supervisors.

Main Topics:

Dulles Rail Update: Rick Stevens, FCDOT reported on the status of the extension of the Metro rail line to Dulles airport. He reported that phase one of the project through Tysons Corner is some 4-5 months behind schedule. The preliminary engineering on this phase is completed and the aerial design is estimated at $2.37 billion. This is an increase over the original estimate of $2.06 billion submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by the Department of Rail and Public Transit. Since that time a bid by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (WMAA) to take over the toll road and construction of the metro extension has been accepted and the transfer is underway.

Currently Governor Kaine is a deliberating whether to build the rail extension through the Tysons Corner corridor underground. A study by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) indicated that a large bore tunnel is feasible and a new environmental impact statement may not be necessary if the tunnel option were selected. However, FTA indicated that a new EIS may be necessary. The outcome of this decision could impact the availability of Federal funding for the project. WMAA is looking to combine phases one and two of the project to expedite completion of the extension to the airport.

Tysons Area Plan Study: Chairman George Barker and Janyce Hedetniemi updated the TAC on the Tysons Area Plan Study as follows:

• The task force meets on September 21 to review proposals from the urban planning consultants.
• Clark Tyler has been elected to serve as Chair.
• A web site has been established.
• A new Transportation Demand Management Committee has been established.

Residential Parking Policy: The Federation suggests looking a unified plan. Membership to consider and vote on a motion at its next meeting in September. Board is considering initiating a study of the issue.

Transportation Plan Map: Board has adopted the transportation plan map. Not all of the TAC recommendations to amend the plan were accepted.

Other Business: Board’s Transportation subcommittee may address issue of county takeover of VDOT signage at its October 18 meeting.

Upcoming Agendas: Report on Virginia General Assembly transportation activities, transportation plan update (if needed), area plans, Transportation Demand Management presentation and update.

Announcements: None

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.