Lawsuit for Dulles Metrorail Extension

According to the Washington Post, opponents of an elevated rail line through Tysons Corner have sued the U.S. Department of Transportation, contending that the agency violated federal law by failing to seriously consider the idea of placing the track underground. The Tysons segment is part of the planned 23-mile Metrorail extension from Falls Church to Dulles International Airport, currently under review by DOT to determine whether it qualifies for federal funding. Tysons Tunnel Inc., a McLean-based group of Tysons property owners, civic groups and homeowner associations, filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria.

The Washington Examiner reports that Tysonstunnel.org, a group that has sought for more than a year to persuade officials to run the planned Dulles rail line underneath Tysons Corner, filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday aiming to halt the entire project until its plan is reconsidered. The group was unexpectedly joined in the suit by Tysons firm Ratner Cos., which operates Hair Cuttery and Bubbles Salons. They are represented by Gary Baise, a Republican lawyer who ran an unsuccessful bid to unseat Fairfax County Chairman Gerry Connolly this year.

The Fairfax Times also reports on the suit, leading with a quote from Scott Monett, president of TysonsTunnel.org. "It's not because we want to, it's because we had no choice," said Monett. The 30-page complaint asks the court to "enjoin the defendants from taking final actions, granting any final approvals, or acting on any application for the project to enter Final Design or for Full Funding Grant Agreement or awarding or allocating any federal funds." Such an injunction would further delay the rail project, further jeopardizing its chances for federal dollars.

According to WJLA TV-7, project managers hope to begin construction on the proposed 23-mile line as soon as next year. The first phase, from Falls Church to Reston, is expected to be completed in 2012, and the second phase extending beyond the airport into Loudoun County could be done by 2015.

Examiner Editorial

So, what do you think about this editorial in the Washington Examiner?

According to the editorial, "utility relocation has already begun on the Dulles Rail project ... even though the project has not yet gotten final approval from the Federal Transit Administration."

The Examiner further says that "The fact that the FTA is still scrutinizing the price tag of this misbegotten project doesn’t seem to faze the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is now managing it."

Any reactions to the editorial? If so, let us know.

Update on Monday Night Traffic Accident

According to the Loudoun County Sherrif's Office, a wrong-way driver
caused a three vehicle crash Monday night on Route 7 near the Clarke
County line.

Shortly before 8 p.m. the Loudoun County Sheriff?s Office received
reports of a Toyota Corolla traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes
of Route 7 near Blueridge Mountain Road. Moments later the Toyota,
driven by Darcy Moore, 25, of Sterling, collided with a 2000 Audi A6
being operated by Jennifer Jeremiah, 33, of Winchester. The impact
sent Moore's vehicle into the median and spun Jeremiah's vehicle
around. Jeremiah?s vehicle was then struck by a 2002 Subaru WRX being
operated by Pascale Roy, 30, of Leesburg.

Moore was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening
injuries; she remains hospitalized and is listed in critical
condition. Jeremiah was transported to Winchester Hospital for serious
injuries. Roy was taken to the Cornwall Campus of INOVA Loudoun
Hospital for minor injuries.

The Sheriff's office Accident Reconstruction Unit responded to the
scene last night and investigated the crash. Traffic on Route 7
traffic was affected for approximately six hours. The crash remains
under investigation.

Road Closure

This just in from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (9:11 p.m.)... Route 7 Eastbound is closed near Blue Ridge Mountain Road for a multiple vehicle crash.

It's Not About Traffic, But It Is Traffic Related

Loudoun County Treasurer Roger Zurn reminds taxpayers that the 2008 BLUE COUNTY DECALS must be displayed on vehicles by Nov. 15, 2007, at midnight.

If you have not purchased a 2008 county decal, you may do so at the following locations, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Treasurer's Office Locations:
1 Harrison Street, SE
1st Floor
Leesburg, Virginia

21641 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 104
Sterling, Virginia

By Telephone: Call 703-777-0280 for information on how to pay with your credit card.

Online at http://www.loudoun.gov/treas/online_payments.htm

Pay online by credit card or authorizing a deduction from your bank account with e-check. For security reasons, you must provide your name and account number in order to access information online regarding your account. Please call 703-777-0280 during office hours if you need your account information provided to you for online payment purposes.

Evergreen Mills Road is Re-opened

Update: 2:02 p.m.
The single vehicle crash on Evergreen Mills Road near Belmont Ridge
Road is cleared and the road has been re-opened.

Road Closure

Traffic Update: noon

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, a single vehicle
crash on Evergreen Mill Road near Belmont Ridge Road has the roadway
closed in both directions.

Hibbs Bridge is Open

As of November 7, 2007, Hibbs Bridge is open; three months ahead of schedule. The six-ton weight limit is still in effect.

In late May 2007, Hibbs Bridge closed for repairs. The original contract completion date was February 20, 2008.

Hibbs Bridge is located east of Route 731 (Watermill Road) on Route 734 (Snickersville Turnpike) between Philomont and Mountville.

The Hibbs Bridge project, which has been in the works for nearly ten years, rehabilitated and improved the historic stone double arch bridge constructed in the early 19th century spanning Beaver Creek. This project was coordinated through the Loudoun County Office of Capital Construction.

Older Drivers Seminar

Loudoun County residents are invited to attend an informal seminar hosted by AARP and Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers focused on offering supportive help for adult children or spouses of older drivers transitioning from driving to not driving.

Leesburg Today reports that participants will learn how to start a conversation with older drivers, recognize the warning signs indicating they may need to stop driving and develop transportation options to help elderly drivers stay connected to their community.

The program is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Advance registration is required as seating is limited.

For more information or to register, e-mail Amber Nightingale of AARP Virginia at anightingale@aarp.org or call 1-877-926-8300. Advanced registration is required and seating is limited.

Meanwhile, WTOP Radio reports that older Americans have the highest crash fatality rate per mile of everyone, except teenagers. By the year 2030, one in five drivers will be age 65 or older, which means there will be more than 30 million older drivers on our roads.

Here's the upcoming seminar schedule:

Nov. 7
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Balch Library
208 W. Market Street
Leesburg, Va. 20176

Nov. 13
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Sterling Library
120 Enterprise Street
Sterling, Va. 20164