New Tysons To Bethesda Bus Route Provides Alternative To Legion Bridge Driving

TYSONS, VA — For commuters frustrated with sitting in traffic on the American Legion Bridge, riding the bus will soon be a new alternative.

Starting on Sept. 16, Fairfax County's Fairfax Connector will launch its first express bus route to Bethesda, Maryland. Express Route 798 will connect Tysons West*Park and Tysons Metrorail Station in Virginia and the Westfield Montgomery Mall and Bethesda and Medical Center Metrorail stations in Maryland.

The route will go across the American Legion Bridge and connect to employment destinations in Tysons as well as Bethesda's National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and downtown. The bus schedule includes morning and evening pickups in Tysons and Bethesda.

Fairfax County's transportation department says the new route is crucial during the continued construction of the Express Lanes extension. The Virginia Department of Transportation's project to extend Express Lanes between the Dulles Toll/Access Roads and George Washington Memorial Parkway is expected to be complete in December 2025.

Maryland's own project to replace and expand the American Legion Bridge has not yet advanced. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's proposed budget further delays the American Legion Bridge replacement project.

Fairfax Connector is also making adjustments to over a dozen routes on Sept. 14. In Reston, Route 558 will split into northern and southern parts, while the southern parts will become new Route 559. In Springfield, Route 494 will realig to serve the Springfield Community Business Center Commuter Parking Garage and improves frequency. Route 371 from Lorton to Springfield will become more frequent and replace Routes 372 and 373.