Fairfax County

Emergency repairs had to be made to the pavement surrounding three Fairfax County bridges after recent flooding. The repairs caused VDOT to address the worsening condition of local roadways.

Two months ago the Board of Supervisors approved a master plan limiting the amount of office space allowed in Tysons Corner to 45 million square feet.

New flood maps in Fairfax County have shifted the boundaries of officially flood-prone areas, requiring some residents to buy flood insurance for the first time.

About 6,400 additional commuters are expected to crowd the roads when the Army moves to the Mark Center next year, and county officials fear that the current infrastructure will be inadequate to handle the traffic. "There are people who are literally going to change jobs because of the traffic that's going to happen here," said Supervisor Pat Herrity, "It's a disaster."

Needed road improvements are at least five years away, officials say.

Difficult commutes and negatively impact property values, as would-be home buyers look for houses served by better transportation options.

Read more from The Washington Examiner....

Town officials in Herndon are preparing residents and business owners for the new  Herndon-Monroe Metro station, which is slated to open in 2016. Plans are afoot to make the area surrounding the coming station more appealing to passengers. Officials would like to see the area transformed into an attractive, walkable urban community.

Homeowners should take advantage of opportunities to be heard during this planning process. If well executed, careful development could make the area surrounding the Metro station pleasant and inviting. Prices of nearby homes could be positively affected.

Read more in The Washington Post....