A Letter to Planners of Reston's New Construction

Dear planners and engineers of the Wiehle Avenue Metro stop and surrounding area,

I wanted to let you know that Wiehle Avenue is a beautiful drive.  The winding road rises and falls along the natural landscape of north Reston.  Drivers are taken on a journey along this scenic avenue that calms and soothes their nerves as they travel along its relaxing bends and curves.

Who am I kidding?  Wiehle is indeed a very beautiful road.  But for those of us who use it daily, the intersection of Wiehle Avenue and Sunset Hills can be a congested area of frustrated drivers and idling vehicles. 

Unless you travel at a time when there is no one else in sight, this intersection can be a beast for daily commuters and newcomers alike.  But, we have all come to accept how it runs and enjoy it just the same.

What really has me concerned .  I have not seen your environmental impact study for the project, but I can only hope that our environment has indeed been considered.

The problem that already exists at the intersection of Sunset Hills and Wiehle Avenue is caused by the convergence of the W&OD Trail, the , an onslaught of fast food patrons at the complex known around town as "McTacoHut" and a flow of traffic from the north that at times can back up for over a mile. 

Add the businesses that border the road near the intersection and the Exxon gas station, and you have a mess at certain times of day.

As an environmentally minded person, the congestion is more than a nuisance, it is an air quality concern.  Your work on the new Metro station and the development of the area around this intersection can, if not properly planned for, will become even more of a disaster. 

I am sure your plan for this area is thorough and inclusive of all the residents’ concerns.  In case you have not included the following, please consider them as you move forward. 

* Re-route the W&OD Trail to fly over (or under) Whiele Avenue.  This will make it much safer for those that use the trail, and for those that have to worry about hitting those that use the trail when they attempt to cross Whiele.  Also consider either moving the fire station to a new location, or better yet, give them a back exit to the station that connects them directly to Sunset Hills Road. 

* If you can widen the road as it nears this intersection, that would be helpful.  And if you can make the exit from the fast food establishments nearby wider, please consider doing so to help keep drivers moving.

I think most Restonians are excited about you brining Metro to our area, and the plans that we have seen for the nearby development look great!  We just want to make sure that you remember that Reston is a special place, and that we all care deeply about keeping Reston’s environment and character intact.

Thank you,

Mark