Welcome 2013, With Four More Quarters and Concerns in 'Principal'

This exciting photo of the Wiehle Avenue Metro station, which will should actually be completed sometime this year, shows just how far Silver Line construction has already come as we welcome the baby new year 2013: Not only has the escalator been installed, it's already been placed out of service, a full 11 months ahead of schedule! Way to go!

In the meantime, don't forget to take an additional four quarters with you before you set out for the wonders of Tysons and beyond on the Toll Road. And the only thing better than a $5.50 round-trip to see endless seas of car lots, bland "world-class" office space and construction will be when the trip costs even more next year!

Meanwhile, the Connection "news paper" tells us that Reston residents, "while excited in principal about the changes coming to their community in the calendar year 2013, are also concerned about aspects of their day-to-day existence that might be forever changed with the opening of Metrorail." We're more concerned about the incorrect use of principle, but alrighty then! Here's a comment from a Reston resident:

"I think of how crazy that McDonald's drive through and the gas station get now in the mornings, and I think of hundreds or thousands more lining up before the trains in the morning."

In the same issue, John Lovaas looks for a "silver lining" (get it?)

For three to five years, the Wiehle Avenue station will be the end of the line, and traffic in
Reston will be a nightmare from just about the day the station opens. Fairfax County and VDOT have combined to make zero major supporting road infrastructure improvements to support rail. The first, a bridge at Soapstone, is due in about 20 years—yep, 20 years. So, until “Phase 2” is completed and train service actually goes to Dulles, thousands will flock to the Wiehle Station from the west and south. Gridlock will own us for those three to five years.

Geez, everyone's so grumpy! Doesn't anyone have anything positive to say about the year to come?

We can expect a rebirth at the ghost town Tall Oaks area. And, the long awaited Lake Anne “revitalization” will actually take place, albeit at the county’s glacial pace. Hopefully, our soon-to-be 99-year-old Founder Robert Simon will live to see construction on the latter project he fought so hard for. If done right, both developments could be very positive for Reston.

A more negative ripple effect of rail to Tysons is the likely redevelopment of what is now 166 acres of green space in the heart of Reston called Reston National Golf Club. It is hard to imagine that our Fairfax overlords will not ultimately cave to the corporate powers. I really hope I’m wrong on this one.

Us too. One thing's for sure: It's going to be an interesting year.