[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 48 (Thursday, March 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXTENSION OF METRORAIL'S ORANGE, YELLOW, BLUE, AND PURPLE LINES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 19, 2009

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to authorize extension of Metrorail's Orange, Yellow, Blue, 
and Purple lines. I appreciate Mr. Jim Moran's co-sponsorship of this 
legislation. I represent a district with the fourth worst congestion in 
the country. These traffic conditions diminish the economic 
productivity of our region while contributing to climate change.
  While the local Board of Supervisors has worked to transform land use 
patterns in order to focus development around Metro stations, we only 
have five Metro stations in Fairfax County and thus have limited 
capacity to encourage Transit Oriented Development. In Prince William 
County, there are no Metrorail stations, and my constituents in Prince 
William must confront congestion nearly every day on their way to work. 
Fortunately, both Prince William and Fairfax County are served by the 
Virginia Railway Express. This commuter rail service is filled to 
capacity on a daily basis, as is the Metrorail system in Northern 
Virginia, suggesting a pressing need to expand transit service.
  The Metrorail extensions that I have proposed would enhance transit 
service in the I495, I95, and I66 corridors. Residents of Centreville, 
Lorton, Woodbridge, and other communities that currently lack Metrorail 
access would have the option to commute on Metro, which would enhance 
the quality of life of my constituents while stabilizing housing values 
and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During the present economic 
crisis, homes in Northern Virginia that are located near transit have 
maintained their value relative to homes only served by highways. For 
the sake of communities that are threatened by extremely high rates of 
foreclosure, extension of transit service can be a force for economic 
revitalization.
  This proposed extension of transit service is consistent with local 
government policies. For example, the Fairfax County Board of 
Supervisors supports extension of Metrorail in the I66 corridor and in 
the I95 corridor. This legislation is crafted to give local governments 
flexibility in locating the stations and determining what type of rail 
infrastructure to construct. This flexibility is essential to ensure 
that these transit extensions reflect the needs of Northern Virginia 
residents and to ensure that we maximize the economic development 
potential inherent in these Metrorail extensions.
  I am proud to offer this legislation that may create the opportunity 
for our local, state, and federal levels of government to collaborate 
on extension of transit service. This legislation is essential for the 
long term vitality of Northern Virginia's economy, neighborhoods, and 
environment.

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