November 16, 2001

Dear Civic Leader:

I am writing to you in my capacity as Arlington's representative on the Metro Board of Directors.

As you may know, Metro staff have recently completed an analysis of the "core capacity" of the rail system, and made preliminary recommendations for improvements. This involves many key issues, such as the ability to operate eight-car trains (currently the longest trains operated in the system are six-car), improved connections between lines, and the capacity of maintenance facilities.

As part of the study, staff also made some entirely new proposals for future expansion of the system. (If you click on the following link to the Washington Post --http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/daily/oct01/metro101901.htm -- you will see a map showing the proposed expansion.) Among these are a proposed new line in the District of Columbia from Georgetown to Union Station; another segment from Union Station across Anacostia to Largo, Maryland; and a new crossing of the Potomac. Also included is a proposal for a new line that would run across north Arlington, from Rosslyn to East Falls Church. It is on this last proposal that I am seeking your input.

Under this new proposal there would be:

• a new Metro line along the I-66 right-of-way from Falls Church to Rosslyn.
• up to three new stations in north Arlington:
  • in the vicinity of Spout Run and Lee Highway;
  • near Quincy Street;
  • just west of George Mason Drive.
• An expansion of the East Falls Church station;
• a new river crossing at Key Bridge.

The intent of these changes is to ease congestion on the Orange Line, by providing a direct connection to downtown for the new Tyson's-Dulles extension. Cost for this new line is estimated in the vicinity of $2 billion in current dollars.

This is an issue which could have significant impacts for Arlington - all of which I believe need to be thoroughly identified and explored before we, as a community, respond with our concerns, questions, and recommendations. As this is a new proposal, not included in any previously adopted plan either by Arlington County, Northern Virginia, or the Metro Board, it has not been evaluated in terms of its relationship to Arlington's Comprehensive Plan. I have requested that the County Manager have staff perform a preliminary evaluation of this proposal in terms of Arlington's adopted plans, and provide any thoughts or recommendations he may have. When I receive the Manager's response I will share it with you.

I am requesting your assistance in promoting community discussion of this issue, while it is still early in the process. I would appreciate your encouraging your membership, and any others you know who might take an interest in this matter, to share your comments with me. You can help by publishing this request for comments in your newsletter, announcing it at one of your meetings, posting it on your website, or any other way which reaches the widest audience. Comments can be submitted via a form on the County's website at http://www.co.arlington.va.us/cbo/news/metro.htm; the County Board email address at countyboard@arlington.va.us; by fax at 703-228-7430; or U.S. mail at the address listed below. As your representative on the Metro Board of Directors, I will make certain that all comments received are shared with my colleagues on the Board of Directors at the appropriate time.

Thank you for your assistance in assessing what is in the best interests of Arlington as discussions on plans to expand Metrorail continue around the region. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Christopher Zimmerman
Vice Chairman