19670926 r-67-6 R-67-6
RESOLUTION
REQUEST FOR MEETING WITH WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN
AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION
OF RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM FOR THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA.
WHEREAS commuter transportation between all major population
centers in Fairfax County and Washington, D. C. will become
virtually impossible within the immediate future unless railway
type facilities are placed in operation to relieve vehicular
traffic; and
WHEREAS, the staff of the Northern Virginia Transportation
Commission has concluded, after thorough study, that economic
commuter rail facilities can be made available at an early date
through modernization of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad
right of way and utilization of said right of way to carry passen-
ger trains between points in Fairfax County and the Potomac Yards
of the Pennsylvania Railroad; and between the latter junction
and downtown Washington by way of existing facilities of the
Pennsylvania Railroad; and
WHEREAS, it is the apparent position of the Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that the abovementioned rail
facilities would not be economical, and, based upon this position,
the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission has expressed
approval to a plan generally known as the Airlie II System, thereby
apparently delaying commuter rail transportation for Fairfax County
until such service, at some future time, can be routed by way of
a subway system suggested for construction along Wilson Boulevard
in Arlington County; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council of Fairfax,
Virginia to provide commuter rail transportation to and from the
District of Columbia at the earliest practicable time,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia respectfully requests a meeting with
representatives of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority for the purpose of discussing the W.M.A.T.A. findings
that commuter rail transportation using the W.&O.D. right of way
by way of the Potomac Yard is unworkable, as contrasted with a
subway system by way of Wilson Boulevard, in terms of providing
such rail transportation at a reasonable cost and at the earliest
practicable time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that other interested jurisdictions in
Northern Virginia be invited to participate in such meeting,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Interstate Commerce Commission
is hereby requested to delay any final decision on abandonment
proceedings of the W.&O.D. railroad service until the various
local governmental jurisdictions affected by such abandonment have
had an opportunity to examine studies bearing on the feasibility
of using the W.&O.D. right of way for commuter rail transportation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be
sent to the Secretary and all members of the interstate Commerce
Commission, to all members of the Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Authority, to all members of the Northern Virginia
Transportation Commission, to the chief administrative officers
of all affected local jurisdictions and to the U. S. Senators
from Virginia and the U. S. Representatives from the 10th and 8th
Congressional Districts of Virginia.
Passed and approved this 26
day of September , 1967
E. A. Prichard, Mayor
Attest: