Tysons

January 15, 2013January 15, 2013

1

Operational Analysis of Dulles Toll Road Ramps to Tysons

Boone Boulevard Ramp Analysis

Seyed NabaviFairfax County Department of Transportation

Tysons

Study Background

2

• Tysons Comprehensive Plan Amendment Approved in June 2010

• Study Kickoff in May 2011• Board Transportation Committee May 8, 2012• Tysons Partnership Briefing May 23, 2012• Public Information Meeting May 30, 2012

Tysons

Purpose of Study

3

• Evaluate the feasibility of the three general ramp locations included in the comprehensive plan amendment• West of Route 7• Between Route 7 and Spring Hill Road• East of Spring Hill Road

Tysons

Study Background

4

Tysons

5

Boone BoulevardRamp Options

Tysons

• Developed several options for ramp to Boone Boulevard– The Western Ramp alignment (Previously Option 3)– One-lane ramp in each direction going through the back of

Sheraton Hotel site. – A two-lane reversible ramp going through the back of Sheraton

Hotel site (not precluding the one lane in each direction)– Four-lane ramp going through the back building of the Sheraton

Hotel. (Ultimate condition when the site is totally redeveloped)

• Comparison of the Boone Boulevard alignments

Purpose of Analysis

6

Tysons

7

Option A

Western Ramp Alignment (Previously Option 3)

Tysons

8

Option B

One Lane in each direction through Sheraton site

Tysons

9

Option C

Two Lane Reversible Lane through Sheraton site

Tysons

10

Option D

Four Lane Ramp through Sheraton site

Tysons

11

Traffic Analysis

Tysons

12

Traffic Volumes

• Option A attracts more traffic from Route 7• Option A provides shorter travel time to reach the

center of Tysons West from Dulles Toll Road• Options C and D provide comparable improvements to

Route 7 in the peak direction• Options A, B & D provide counter flow benefits

Route 7 Traffic Volumes For Options(vehicles per hour)

                     Alternative No Build Option A Option B Option C Option D

DescriptionNo Ramp Western Ramp 

Alignment

Alignment through back of Sheraton 

(one lane / direction)

Alignment through back of Sheraton (reversible lanes)

Alignment through back of Sheraton 

(two lanes / direction)

Volume Volume % Change Volume % Change Volume % Change Volume % Change

AM PeakEastbound 1441 637 -56% 1162 -19% 1043 -28% 1021 -29%

Westbound 388 141 -64% 139 -64% 392 0% 88 -77%

PM PeakEastbound 714 342 -52% 496 -31% 714 0% 464 -35%

Westbound 910 523 -43% 648 -29% 559 -39% 523 -43%

Tysons

13

Comparison MatrixAlternative Option A Option B Option C Option D

Description Western Ramp AlignmentAlignment through back of 

Sheraton (one lane / direction)

Alignment through back of Sheraton (reversible lanes)

Alignment through back of Sheraton 

(two lanes / direction)

Traffic Diverted to New Ramp High Medium High High

Improvement to Route 7 Intersection Operations (AM / PM) Low / Medium High / High Low / Medium Low / High

Improvement to Grid of Streets Intersection Operations (AM / PM) Low / High Medium / Medium Low / Medium Low / Low

Existing Impervious Area / Proposed Impervious Area, SF 70,000 / 280,000 40,000 / 150,000 30,000 / 130,000 50,000 / 190,000

ROW & Permanent Easement Areas, SF 290,000 60,000 60,000 80,000

Environmental Very High Impact Medium Impact Medium Impact Medium Impact

Constructability Medium Difficulty High Difficulty High Difficulty High Difficulty

Cost * $44,000,000 $22,000,000 $26,000,000 $39,000,000

* Cost includes ramp improvements east of the DTR.  ROW, utilities, drainage, environmental mitigation and/or

reconstruction of impacted MWAA facilities are not included.    

Tysons

• Option A provides traffic improvements to Route 7, however improvements are comparable to the other three options

• Option A adds significant impervious area for drainage of the project site

• Option A has significant environmental impacts compared to the other three options

• Options A is significantly more expensive than other three options

• Options B,C & D require less right of way and property owner is willing to consider

• Options B,C & D are challenging from a constructability stand point, but offer significant traffic benefits at a lower cost

Conclusions

14

Tysons

• Western Ramp Alignment (Option A) will be eliminated from further study

• Options B,C and D will be coordinated with JBG, the developer of Sheraton site and the adjacent neighborhoods

• Options B,C and D will be investigated and analyzed further in combination with the other ramp connections in Tysons

Conclusions

15

Tysons

Next Steps / Schedule

16

• Modeling currently underway– Expand Subarea Model January 2013

• Dulles Toll Road Mainline • Ramp Merge/Diverges• Arterials/Grid

– VISUM Simulation Analysis of 3 Alternatives January 2013– Revise Alternatives Post Public Meeting No. 1

February 2013 – Submit Revised Alternatives to VDOT/MWAA for Review

March 2013– Select Preferred Ramp Alternative March 2013– Additional Stakeholder Meetings March/April 2013– Public Meeting No. 2 April 2013– Incorporate Input April/May 2013– Provide Recommendation to Board May/June 2013

Tysons

17

Questions / Discussion