duller corridor, eh? sounds like a good rename for the whole stretch, i'd say.

seriously though, i understand their disappointment, but sometimes, you just need to recognize that you've lost, lick your wounds, and get ready for the next fight...

The trains themselves aren't the problem. Unlike other above-ground metro routes, which are either between lanes on a highway (like the orange line on 66 in Arlington/Fairfax) or paralleling other pre-established train tracks (such as the red line through Silver Spring and through Shady Grove, or the Orange line through New Carolton, or pretty much every other above ground Metro route), this would be a massive, obnoxious new structure in an established community, having a horrible effect on traffic during construction, and requiring a significant change in planning and appearance in the neighborhood both during and after that construction.

I certainly understand that many people living in DC (myself included) would love to have an easier, traffic-free, route to Tysons and Dulles. DC residents who live near underground Metro routes should wonder, though, what it would be like if they had to choose between an above-ground train route through their neighborhood, which would certainly destroy local shops and restaurants and be a continual eyesore, and no train at all. I daresay that most of us would rather rely on cars, buses, and bikes to get where we need to go than sacrifice so much. Maybe we should give the people of Vienna/McLean/Tysons the same respect to make a similar choice for themselves.

The tunnel group doesn't speak for everyone, but they command a great deal of support in Northern Virginia.

Ah yes...Tysons Corner is crammed so full of local shops and restaurants. It's a wonder that national retailers haven't discovered Tysons Corner yet. I'm amazed at how light the traffic is on 123 with its 8 lanes or Route 7 with its 6 thru lanes and two 2-lane access roads. It's so walkable and those train tracks above will just ruin the character! :-P

The 12 story brick column building you can see from 495, is quite possibly the ugliest and worst designed building I have ever seen.

Clearly, you are unfamiliar with the building at the corner of Old Courthouse and Chain Bridge Road that's the spitting image of a toilet seat. Or $h!tting image, as the case may be. I can think of no more appropriate place for a building of such a design than Tysons Corner.

@NoRefill: "a horrible effect on traffic during construction"

Traffic is horrible in Tyson's all the time already, isn't it? Is it possible to go any slower than zero?

"I certainly understand that many people living in DC (myself included) would love to have an easier, traffic-free, route to Tysons and Dulles."

I don't really get that. Why would anyone living in DC ever go to Tyson's Corner? Aren't there much closer, less offensive malls with all the same shit in Pentagon City, Wheaton, Mazza Gallerie, among other places?

As far as Dulles goes, I'd typically choose to have my fingernails pulled out before flying out of there. However, I understand that it is sometimes the best option either financially or logistically. But you can actually get there pretty easily using the existing 5A express bus from three metro stations.

While frankly I couldn't care less what happens in a "neighborhood" in Tyson's Corner since I can honestly say I've been there once in the last 20 years, I think building light rail to Dulles doesn't really make that much sense. The bus to Dulles, which I've taken several times, is about 1/3 full most of the time. I just don't think that the vast majority of people flying from Dulles are likely to take public transit. Even with rail, it would probably be a 80-90 minute ride from most places in DC. The benefit compared to the cost doesn't seem there, and the fact that hardly anyone takes the bus to Dulles as it is now would seem to confirm that. I agree that more people would ride rail versus the bus - but enough to justify the price tag?