By Brian Trompeter
For nearly 12 years, Fairfax County Department of Transportation Director Tom Biesiadny was a fixture at myriad public meetings on roadways, sidewalks, trails and transit – and brought many projects to fruition.
Biesiadny, who retired in May, brought a steady demeanor and encyclopedic knowledge to his many disparate endeavors, Board of Supervisors members said May 23.
“This is a moment that I literally despise and love at the same time,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay (D). “Obviously, none of us can envision a world without Tom Biesiadny heading the Department of Transportation in Fairfax County.”
Biesiadny left his mark all over Virginia and Fairfax County, he said.
“It is amazing how we have transformed ourselves into a true multi-modal community,” McKay said. “It is a remarkable legacy . . . Your calm presence is the reason why you have so much respect, not only on this board and county staff, but of leaders in transportation across our region.”
Biesiadny guided Fairfax County through some of the nation’s most significant transportation projects, supervisors said in an honorary resolution. Examples include construction of Metrorail’s Silver Line, extension of Metrorail’s Blue line to Franconia-Springfield, the addition of Express Lanes along interstates traversing the county and the upcoming bus-rapid-transit program along Route 1.
Biesiadny also played a crucial role in construction of new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including the new pedestrian bridge over I-495 in Tysons, the Scotts Run and Mount Vernon Memorial Highway trails, and “countless” miles of other sidewalk and trail projects, the resolution read.
In addition, Biesiadny helped grow Fairfax Connector into Virginia’s largest bus system and implemented the free-student-bus-pass and transit-ridership-incentive programs.
“A champion for transportation in Fairfax County and around the region, Tom Biesiadny has worked to build consensus, create and strengthen relationships, and model the best in public service,” the supervisors’ resolution read.
Biesiadny has received the county’s A. Heath Onthank Award for his service and the House of Delegates in February unanimously passed a resolution honoring him, which was patroned by Del. Mark Sickles (D-Alexandria).
Even in retirement, Biesiadny (pronounced beh-SHOD-nee) has not strayed too far from the action. The Providence District resident showed up in civilian capacity at the May 17 dedication of the I-66 Parallel Trail’s first segments in Vienna.
Biesiadny in 1985 received a bachelor’s degree in transportation from Parks College of St. Louis University. After serving nearly three years as a transportation planner for the city of Port Arthur, Texas, he spent the next 22 years as chief of FCDOT’s Coordination and Funding Division. He became the agency’s director in October 2011 and served longer than any of his predecessors.
“You came here for a job and you stayed for a career and that’s what we really like to see in our Fairfax County employees,” said Supervisor Penelope Gross (D-Mason).
Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) said Biesiadny had been “instrumental” in the county’s replanning of Tysons, especially with regard to transit and the new street grid and the funding thereof.
“Tom really did step up and pull everything together,” Alcorn said. “Aside from the high-level accomplishments like that, it’s also your ability to work from top to bottom and also on the ground.”
Despite attending thousands of community meetings over the years, Biesiadny somehow managed to be the calmest person in the room, said Supervisor James Walkinshaw (D-Braddock), adding that those evening meetings likely took a heavy toll on his personal life.
Over his career, Biesiadny oversaw the region’s shift from an automobile-centric model and philosophy to multi-modal one, he said.
“In this region, when Tom Biesiadny speaks, people listen,” Walkinshaw said. “You have really become a serious regional leader and expert that everyone counts on.”
Biesiadny was an “exemplary” public servant and his transportation successes have helped the county lure major corporations and expand its commercial tax base, said Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Franconia). Lusk also credited Biesiadny with securing funding for the Jones Branch Connector in Tysons.
“Your stoicism, your patience, your quiet firmness – even when we disagree – those were are all core parts of being a professional,” said Supervisor Daniel Storck (D-Mount Vernon).
Gross said one major piece of unfinished business from Biesiadny’s tenure – a ring road for Seven Corners – remains several decades out on the county’s planning horizon.
“You have always been one to encourage us to stick with it, find the funding, cobble things together and we’ll eventually have a project,” she said. “If we can’t do it big, we break it into sections and we get it done.“
Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) expressed awe at Biesiadny’s wide-ranging public presence.
“The first couple years that I worked with you, I thought you were assigned to the Dranesville District,” Foust joked. “I had no idea you were also putting in 24/7 in the other districts. It’s almost inconceivable how knowledgeable you are . . . You made my constituents’ lives much better as a result.”
“Enough cannot be said about your demeanor, your utmost professionalism, your working with us, which is not an easy feat,” said Supervisor Dalia Palchik (D-Providence). “You have helped us start to build a bridge moving forward to this multi-modal world.”
Biesiadny thanked supervisors for giving him so many growth opportunities and said he appreciated their trust in him and the transportation department. The agency’s 170 employees, now being led by acting director Gregg Steverson, are the “best in the business,” he said.
“I never expected to make Fairfax County a career,” Biesiadny said. “This was a stop on the way from Texas and back to the Midwest . . . I can honestly say that in 34 years, I was never bored in any job that I had in Fairfax County.”
