Tysons Transportation Plan Public Comment Period Tuesday

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will host a public comment period Tuesday on a funding plan for new transportation infrastructure in Tysons Corner.

The Planning Commission has proposed a detailed package of recommendations for funding approximately $3 billion of improvements over the next 40 years. According to commission members, these improvements are needed to support massive redevelopment in Tysons Corner and help turn the area into a vibrant urban center for the county.

The commission’s recommendations include four main improvement areas, including a grid of streets designed to alleviate traffic on Routes 7 and 123; pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; transit lines; and larger, Tysons-wide road work.

The grid of streets is estimated to cost about $865 million and would be privately funded by developers. The public would be expected to fund the neighborhood access projects, like sidewalks and bike lanes, and the transit projects, which would be $77 million and $953.4 million, respectively.

The public and private sectors would share the burden of funding the larger road projects meant to benefit Tysons as a whole – a total of $1.2 billion.

Planning Commission officials have recommended a special tax district on property owners about $250 million over the coming decades. Another $250 million would come from developer contributions when properties redevelop.

Another $700 million for Tysons-wide improvements would come from general transportation funds over the next 40 years.

Supervisors supported the plan at a committee meeting earlier this month.

The redevelopment of Tysons, being marketed as the county’s “new downtown” is right around the corner. Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors approved the massive overhaul of Capital One Bank’s corporate headquarters in the area.

The public comment period is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Board Auditorium at Fairfax County Government Center. Residents wishing to speak can sign up here.