The Impact of an Elevated Metrorail
through Tysons
Construction Phase
- Increased road network congestion and
shutdowns from
- above grade construction
- Rt. 7 reconfiguration
- utility relocations throughout Tysons
- concurrent HOT Lane construction and improvements to Route 29
- Increased business disruption and retail
community impacts
- Reduced tax revenue resulting from
business disruption
- Increased construction impacts — noise, air pollution (congestion), and dust
- Increased construction risk (potential cost) resulting from
- extensive utility relocations
- reworking of roadways
- weather
Post-Construction Phase
- Ugly, massive elevated structure
- 3 miles long
- 35 feet high (65 feet max.)
- columns every 70 feet (typical)
- 1,800 foot wall along Rt. 7 (up to 40 feet high)
- Train noise pollution
- Driving hazard / reduced visibility around columns
- Reduced light, air, and open space
- Possible for social divide
- Potential for public nuisance around structure — graffiti, trash, degraded environment, track run-off, etc.
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The Impact of a Tunnel for Metrorail
under Tysons
Construction Phase
- Dramatically reduced road network and utility impacts
- Minimized business disruption and retail community impact
- Minimized tax revenue loss resulting from business disruption
- Dramatically reduced construction impact
- Minimized construction risk (cost control)
Post-Construction Phase
- Minimized visual impact, visible only at station entrances
- No train noise pollution
- Improved walking environment
- More room for parks and community space
- No potential for social divide
- Minimized potentials for public nuisance
- Improved opportunities for local business around stations
- Higher commercial tax revenue to support
schools and other services
- Increased connectivity across major thoroughfares
- More user friendly
- Reduced operating cost (higher return on public investment)
- Doubled lifespan (reduced lifecycle cost—
long-term savings)
- Higher ridership potential
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