Back to Press Room

For Immediate Release: September 6, 2006
Contacts: Stewart Schwartz, 703-599-6437 (cell) Laura Olsen, 202-320-4578 (cell)

Nobody wins with the Decision for Elevated Rail in Tysons

Statement from Stewart Schwartz
Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth

We thank the Governor for considering a rail tunnel and recognizing that the tunnel is the best option for Tysons Corner, Virginia’s economic engine. However, his choice of an elevated rail line instead of the tunnel is major loss for all Virginia and Washington area residents, taxpayers and businesses.

An elevated rail line in Tysons Corner will force Virginia to spend significant additional resources to ensure the design of Tysons Corner, the stations, Route 7 and Route 123 will allow the needed ridership. Everyone wants rail to Tysons as soon as possible, but if it isn’t well designed, it could be a waste of billions of dollars of public and private funding. To realize the potential of rail to Tysons, people need to be able to conveniently get from the stations to jobs, shopping and their homes. An elevated line will make that much more challenging.

We would not be in this situation if there had been a more robust and measured consideration of alternatives earlier in the process. This is a prime example of why all the options need to be on the table and thoroughly and fairly considered from the beginning in any transportation study.

The Governor, architects, urban planners, land owners, business leaders, local officials, members of the Congressional delegation, the Washington Post and the smart growth community all believe a tunnel is the best option for rail in Tysons Corner and a study shows that a tunnel is feasible from both an engineering and economic perspective. The Governor was wise to take a second look at the project and consider a tunnel. It is a shame that we are not bold enough to seize this opportunity.