NVTC to Share Ridership & Cost Data for New Route 7

To what extent will bus rapid transit or light rail increase transit use along Route 7 and what is the cost to provide high-capacity transit service? The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) will share research findings addressing ridership and cost in November at three public meetings in Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax County.

Envision Route 7 focuses on a 14-mile stretch of road running from Tysons – through Falls Church, Seven Corners, Bailey’s Crossroads and Skyline – to Alexandria. People worry that Route 7 needs more transportation options and that the need will grow, as the number of jobs and residents is expected to increase by more than a third over the next 25 years. The Envision Route 7 public meetings will allow residents and businesses to consider the future of transportation in the corridor.

The public meetings will provide information about the benefits and costs of light rail, bus rapid transit and improved standard bus service on Route 7 as well as the possible alignments or routes for each. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the study. That input will be used to identify a preferred alternative – one that will reduce travel time and move more people through the corridor – in 2016.