To the Editor:
After two years of prodding, Amtrak (15 months), then Fairfax County and VDOT (9 months), to erect free signs near Virginia’s newest and fastest growing Burke Centre Station, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) finally erected seven signs at critical intersections on the Fairfax County, Burke Centre and Roberts Parkways during the week of Feb. 12. An additional sign will be placed at the intersection of northbound Roberts Parkway and Premier Court in the near future.
Considering the station’s location in affluent Fairfax County (home to one million residents), the abundance of free parking and excellent access roads, I puzzle why this "low cost"/high payoff project moved at glacial speed. Fortunately, Kevin Page, Director of Virginia’s Rail and Public Transportation, intervened and persuaded VDOT to act. After all, VDOT has much to gain as local residents and visitors use this station and Amtrak to avoid the nation’s worst traffic and interstates (I-95, I-66, I-95, I-81) from New England to Central Virginia and Roanoke and Blacksburg/VA Tech via a new connecting bus. Now area motorists passing these signs will be aware of the existence and location of the greener Amtrak option.
Dan Peacock, Member
Virginia Association of Railway Patrons
Manassas