TRANSIT: N. Va. Transportation Commission approves BRT plan
July 13, 2016
The BRT plan is estimated to cost significantly less than an alternative light-rail plan
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission has bestowed its seal of approval on a proposal to run bus rapid transit (BRT) 11 miles between Tysons Corner and Alexandria, mostly along Route 7.
The commission—comprised of state legislators, local-government officials and business leaders—unanimously approved the proposal on July 7.
The BRT system is seen as a lower-cost alternative to light-rail transit, which also had been proposed. It is designed to run between the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons and the Mark Center in Alexandria, with a connection to the East Falls Church Metro station.
Planners estimate the new bus system would attract about 8,600 new transit riders per day. The BRT system would cost about $250 million to construct, according to most recent estimates, compared to nearly $1 billion for a light-rail system, while annual operating costs would be about 45% less than for light rail.
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