Fairfax Connector proposes new bus service in I-66 corridor using future parking garages

Fairfax Connector is shaking up its service along the I-66 corridor in anticipation of two major parking facilities finishing construction later this year.

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has proposed adding or revising almost 30 routes in Tysons, Vienna, Springfield, Chantilly and Centreville, as it seeks to incorporate the upcoming Springfield and Monument Drive garages into its bus system.

According to FCDOT, the changes will improve travel throughout the D.C. region, with the Monument Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center in particular supporting new connections between the eastern and western sides of the county.

“By creating a transfer point at the new Monument Park-and-Ride facility, riders will have the opportunity to transfer between local routes, access regional routes, and connect to the Vienna Metrorail Station, Franconia Metrorail Station, Tysons, or…D.C.,” FCDOT said in a news release.

Shaped by two previous rounds of public engagement, the proposed service plan will be presented today (Monday) at a 7 p.m. community meeting in the Franconia Government Center (6121 Franconia Road). Virtual meetings are also scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday) and Thursday (May 25).

The public can also provide input through an online survey until June 5.

Monument Drive

The $43 million Monument facility will boast 820 parking spaces, eight bus bays, a pick-up and drop-off area, and bicycle racks and storage. Located at the Government Center Parkway intersection next to Fairfax Corner, it broke ground in November 2021 as part of the I-66 widening.

FCDOT has proposed adding the facility as a stop on Route 660, a cross-county connector from the Stone Road Park & Ride in Centreville to the Tysons Metro station that launched in February.

Other notable changes involving the Monument facility include:

• Route 605: Reston Town Center Metro station to Fair Oaks Mall
• Route 622: Fairfax Towne Center circulator with more local links and new weekend service
• Route 625: New route to Random Hills Road and Pender Drive
• Route 651: New seven-day service to the Westfields, Chantilly, and Fair Ridge areas
• Route 663: Stringfellow Road Park and Ride to the Vienna Metro station
• Route 670: New peak express service between Chantilly and the Franconia-Springfield
  Metro station
• Route 671: New peak service from Chantilly to the Dunn Loring Metro station

Springfield

Construction on the Springfield Community Business Center Commuter Parking Garage began in the fall of 2021, disrupting the area’s popular slug lines. The six-level facility will have about 1,000 parking spaces, a transit center with seven bus bays, commuter spaces for slugging, a pick-up and drop-off area, and bicycle storage.

Costing an estimated $63.81 million, the project will also add community event and gathering areas as well as a pedestrian bridge over Old Keene Mill Road to Springfield Plaza.

FCDOT has proposed realigning five routes to serve the new garage, which is expected to be completed in December:

• Route 310: Rolling Valley Park & Ride to Huntington Metro
• Routes 321 and 322: Franconia Metro to Van Dorn Street Metro
• Route 393: Saratoga Park & Ride to Pentagon Metro station
• Route 396: Backlick North Park & Ride to Pentagon Metro

Tysons/Vienna

The most eye-catching proposal for the Tysons area is a Route 798 that would provide express, rush-hour service from the Tysons Metro station to Bethesda — a route also envisioned by Metro.

The buses would utilize the extended I-495 Express Lanes, though with Maryland’s Capital Beltway widening in limbo, it remains to be seen exactly how “express” the service will be.

Other changes include a new Route 427 between the Spring Hill Metro station and McLean Governmental Center and improved frequency in Central Tysons (Route 423), Vienna and Oakton (Route 461), and Vienna to Tysons Metro stations (Route 463).