Countywide

Accessibility of New Silver Line Stations Still Lacking — “As Metro prepares to open six new rail stations in Northern Virginia, some future passengers are expressing dismay over their limited access for pedestrians and cyclists. While they say they are pleased with station amenities…they see room for more improvements that could provide better connections to the transit points that don’t rely on vehicles.” [Virginia Mercury]

Tysons Sees Slow Progress on Walkability — “Fairfax leaders say plenty of Tysons-area residents are frustrated that walking and cycling doesn’t feel safer or easier. Still, public officials say, the area is showing potential. It will take more time, they say, to find a balance between moving thousands of vehicles and creating space for what they hope will be a growing number of pedestrians and cyclists.” [The Washington Post]


Countywide

The extended I-66 Express Lanes outside the Capital Beltway will open ahead of schedule, the Virginia Department of Transportation says.

Previously scheduled to arrive in December, the lanes will open in the westbound direction from I-495 in Dunn Loring to Route 28 in Centreville as soon as Saturday, Nov. 19, VDOT said in a news release snuck in just before a three-day weekend.


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Around Town

Veterans Day is tomorrow, marking the 104th anniversary of the official end of combat in World War I.

Government offices for Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the towns of Vienna and Herndon will be closed for the federal holiday, which extends to Fairfax County Public Schools students and the court system.


Countywide

Add another Silver Line Phase II ribbon-cutting to the list, with the Town of Herndon planning its own celebration on Wednesday (Nov. 16).

On the extended rail line’s first full day of service, the town will celebrate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Herndon Metro station. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. at the entrance of the station at 585-A Herndon Parkway.


Around Town

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) A halal gyro and platters shop that calls New York home is coming soon to Reston’s North Point Village Center.

Shah’s Halal Food plans to open a 1,200-square-foot location in the village center by early 2023, according to a company spokesperson.


Countywide

Last Day to Compete for Silver Line Tickets — The deadline to win one of 50 “Silver Tickets” to ride the first train on Metro’s extended Silver Line is 5 p.m. today. The tickets will go to 50 customers who share their favorite Metro story while tagging @wmata and using #YourMetroMemory. [WMATA/Twitter]

McLean Double Murder Conviction Vacated — A judge vacated Megan Hargan’s conviction yesterday after her attorneys alleged a juror “had inappropriately used her own rifle at home to test out evidence.” Hargan was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found her guilty of killing her mother and sister at their McLean home in 2017. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office intends to retry the case. [The Washington Post]


News

(Updated, 3:35 p.m.) With most incumbents running away to victory, it appears that Fairfax County’s voter turnout for the general election this year will fall short of the 2018 midterms.

About 53% of registered, active county voters took part in this year’s midterm elections, per Fairfax County election officials. That’s about 16 percentage points off from the midterms four years ago. It’s also lower than last year’s gubernatorial election, which had a 60% turnout.


News

After the pandemic unearthed new needs, Friends of Reston Regional Library is offering $200,000 in grants to support literacy efforts in the community.

The organization, which supports and promote Reston Regional Library and the overall Fairfax County Public Library system, is accepting applications for grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 to nonprofits that offer hands-on programming that impacts literacy in Reston, Herndon and the county overall.


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