Politics & Government

Tysons Corner Traffic Will Ease Up, Developers Say

Reducing the need to travel by car — and available parking — are key to improving gridlock

As Tysons Corner continues to grow, the traffic will get better.

Wait. What?

It seems counterintuitive, but it is the truth, according to a panel of commercial developers who spoke to a group of Tysons Corner Regional Chamber of Commerce members at the Gannett headquarters in McLean earlier this week.

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Just look at the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor in Arlington, said Steve Cumbie, president of NV Commercial, the firm developing a site around what will eventually be the Tysons Central Route 7 station of the new Silver Line metro.

Studies show in some areas of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, traffic is no worse than it was 25 years ago, Cumbie said.

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"There's a good reason. Arlington limited parking," he said. "I think the R-B corridor is a good example of what can happen here in Tysons ... I think there are things we can learn there."

It is as simple as limiting the number of available parking spaces, Cumbie said.

"When you drive downtown D.C., you know parking's going to be issue," he said. "Eventually, you're going to feel that way in Tysons."

Mixed-use developments where residents can live, work, shop and socialize within walking distance are important, too, said Keith Turner, vice president of Cityline, which is developing another site in Tysons Corner.

"Everyone comes in at the same time in the morning. If you want to go out and run an errand or get a sandwich, you need to get in your car," Turner said. "If you add the right type of more development, the right mix, you can actually help improve congestion."

The new Silver Line metro stations will play a huge part in helping traffic flow, too.

The metro will transform Tysons from a car-centric destination filled with parking garages to a place easily accessible by rail. The metro will be as easy to use as your car, Cumbie said.

"Ninety-seven thousand are going to ride that metro every day," he said. "The impact will be significant and we will reap the benefits."

Do you think traffic will improve as Tysons develops? Tell us in the comments.


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