Transportation Links
Toll Road Hike Proposed
Dulles Toll Road (VA 267) drivers may be paying double the current rates in three years if a proposal by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is approved.
MWAA took over operations for the toll road in 2008 as part of the $5.25 billion Dulles Metrorail project, which would extend the Orange Line after East Falls Church into Loudoun. Currently, drivers pay 75 cents at the main plaza and 50 cents at the on- and off-ramps. If the MWAA board of directors approves the proposal, tolls would begin rising incrementally in January 2010 up to $1.50 by 2012 at the main plaza and 75 cents at the ramps.
Public hearings on the proposal are expected to take place later this summer, and the final decision is expected in November, according to MWAA’s Web site.
18 Virginia Rest Areas to Close
Virginia drivers will have to make do with fewer interstate rest stops after July 21, when the state will close almost half of its rest areas to help make up for a $2.6 billion shortfall in the transportation budget.
Among the 18 rest stops to close is the one that includes the I-66 West Manassas Welcome Center, but it will remain open through the summer to accommodate summer travelers. The Virginia Department of Transportation will close the I-66 Welcome Center on Sept. 16.
Shutting the stops will save the state about $9 million yearly, according to VDOT.
The Dale City rest area in Prince William County is one of 18
Virginia rest stops that will close July 21.
Destinations: Chrysalis Vineyards & Swedenburg Estate
On Saturday April 25th, Reston Limousine’s Public Wine Tours travels to Middleburg for a taste of the good life!
The tour begins at Chrysalis Vineyards, where the dedication to Virginia’s native grape, the Norton, is evident in what is believed to be the largest planting of Norton grapes in the world. That dedication apparently has paid off, with recent accolades including two gold medals at the first National Norton Wine competition in St. Louis in August 2007.
The estate winery also has been recognized recently for its hospitality efforts, as Chrysalis won a Loudoun tourism event of the year award in 2008 for its Annual Hottest Cool Jazz Festival at Chrysalis Vineyards (this year’s takes place May 16-17).
You’ll begin your own Chrysalis experience outdoors, where you’ll be taken through different stations for an hour-long educational experience of your choice: a reserve tasting, includes 12 wines, including most of their reds, or an estate tasting, which includes seven wines.
Among the new wines on the Chrysalis portfolio are the 2008 Mariposa, a dry rosé, and the 2008 Chardonnay, which debuts the weekend of the tour.
Next on the tour is Swedenburg Estate Vineyard, located on Historic Valley View Farm, where the Swedenburg family continues a more than 240-year-old agricultural tradition by raising pure-bred Angus cattle and premium Vinifera grapes.
During the tasting at Swedenburg, guests will be educated on the uniqueness of the estate-grown wines and the variations of flavors across the varieties grown at Swedenburg. New this spring is the 2008 Chantilly, a dry, crisp wine perfect for enjoying on the patio or deck with friends.
And just in time for Mother’s Day, the winery is sponsoring a special artisan jewelry show on April 25th, the day of the tour!
Cost: $35 per person (does not include tasting fees or gratuity)
Lunch option: A catered box lunch from Atlanta Bread Co. is available for purchase for $15.
Tasting Fees:
Swedenburg: Six wines on the tasting menu for $5 per person
Chrysalis: $10 for reserve tastings, $5 for estate tastings
Schedule:
10 a.m. pickup West Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride
10:30 a.m. pickup Dulles Town Center
10:45 a.m. pickup Lansdowne Resort
~ 11:15-11:30 a.m. Arrive at Loudoun Valley Vineyards
~ 1:30 p.m. Arrive at Veramar Vineyards
~ 3-3:15 p.m. Depart Veramar Vineyards
To book this tour or to request more information, please call Reston Limousine at 703-478-0500 Option 1.