The monthly luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce this Tuesday featured an update by Kelley Coyner, executive director of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, on plans for a significantly increased role for public transit on the route.

While questions focused on concern for more congestion with either bus rapid transit or light rail options, a handout noted that by 2040, the population along the corridor from Tysons Corner to Skyline (and east to Alexandria) will increase by 42 percent to 368,667, with a projected estimate of 54,491 new residential units. It was also pointed out that seven percent of the people currently live below the poverty level, and 14 percent of households earn less than $50,000 annually.

Final decisions on modes of transport and routes (whether it will deviate to stop by the East Falls Church Metro station) will be made next year.