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Business & Tech

Phase 2 of Metrorail Extension Outlined at Public Meeting

Officials seeking feedback from community.

Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project officials met with citizens Monday at the Sheraton Reston to discuss the plans for Phase 2 of the Metro extension to Dulles Airport.

Phase 2 will extend the rail from Wiehle Avenue in Reston to Dulles International Arport. Phase 1, from East Falls Church to Wiehle, is under construction and slated to open in late 2013. The construction timetable for Phase 2 has not been set.

At the meeting, staff members presented displays outlining the 2004 plan, the subsequently proposed enhancements, and the 2010 current plan.

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Eight areas were covered:  Reston Parkway Station; Herndon-Monroe Station, Route 28 Station; Dulles International Airport Station-Tunnel Alignment; Dulles International Airport Station-Ariel Design Option; Route 606 Station; Route 722 Station; and the Maintenance and Storage Facility (Yard). 

All posters can be viewed at their the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority's Dulles Metrorail Project website.

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Participants were encouraged to visit each poster display area and to ask staff questions.  There was also a station for citizens to provide verbal comment. 

John Bowman, who co-chairs the Reston 2020 Committee of the Reston Citizen's Association was on hand reviewing the Phase 2 proposals. 

"We [Reston 2020] understand the importance of the changes coming to Reston with the Metro and that the inevitable growth represents opportunities for our community as well as potential dangers," he said.

"It is crucial that this growth is well planned and implemented in order to benefit both current and future residents, as well as developers and the business communities of Reston." 

 Reston 2020 keeps an extensive record of comments, concerns and public opinion on  their blog.

One concern of Reston2020 and many citizens is protecting the wetlands near the Herndon-Monroe Station.

Also in attendance was Joe Stowers, representing the Dulles Corridor Rail Association (DCRA), a non-profit membership organization formed to advocate rail in the Dulles corridor. DCRA advises decision makers on transit-related issues, including funding, operations, and station location and access.   

"I'm here to strongly support rail moving ahead," said Mr. Stowers.

Alice Markham, a Reston resident who recently expressed her concern that traffic is going to get much worse before it gets better in a letter last week to The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock, was also at the meeting.

"While my primary concern is with the Phase 1 Wiehle Avenue station, I have the same issues about traffic congestion around the other Reston metro stations," she said last night after giving her verbal comments to project staff.

The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is strongly encouraging more citizen comments until October 1, 2010, either made on-line at  or by sending an email to Phase2comments@dullesmetro.com

There will be a second public meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m at Clause Moore Colonial Farm in Sterling.   

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