HOT Lanes - Why Extend to Georgetown Pike?
The WaPo reports that VDOT is thinking about pouring more taxpayer money into the proposed Beltway HOT lanes because Fluor cannot make the project work. See my discussion of 10/20. Included in the story is the following: "Virginia transportation officials say the Beltway project, which would add four high-occupancy toll lanes between Springfield and Georgetown Pike, is a good deal even if it requires a considerable amount of public money."
Why would any thinking person decide to terminate the HOT lanes at the Georgetown Pike? It would make sense to run HOT lanes all the way to Maryland if and only if Maryland were also planning to build similar lanes. Guess what? Maryland is not planning to do so. Therefore, the Virginia lanes need to be terminated before the Maryland line.
Georgetown Pike is not the place to terminate those lanes. Georgetown Pike, a state scenic byway, is a narrow, windy road in the middle of residential neighborhoods. It cannot handle increased traffic volumes. Ending HOT lanes at the Pike would create a nightmare. Where would the traffic go? Did any of the people working on this project ever drive south on the New Jersey Turnpike where the lanes narrow? Traffic backs-up for miles! If were were to terminate HOT lanes at the Georgetown Pike, some of that traffic would clearly start spilling onto Georgetown Pike and neighborhood streets. Also, keep in mind that there are many schools near the Pike, including Langley H.S. , Cooper Middle, St. Luke's, Maderia, and Oakcrest. Do we want more traffic near these schools?
HOT lanes must terminate at the Dulles Toll Road, not on a narrow, winding road through residential neighborhoods and near our schools. Moreover, termination of the HOT lanes at the Toll Road would reduce the cost of the project. That's in everyone's best interest. Concerned individuals should contact VDOT to complain or NoVA's representative to the CTB, Doug Koelemay. He's a sharp guy who should be able to stop this foolishness. If not, we need a new CTB representative.
Why would any thinking person decide to terminate the HOT lanes at the Georgetown Pike? It would make sense to run HOT lanes all the way to Maryland if and only if Maryland were also planning to build similar lanes. Guess what? Maryland is not planning to do so. Therefore, the Virginia lanes need to be terminated before the Maryland line.
Georgetown Pike is not the place to terminate those lanes. Georgetown Pike, a state scenic byway, is a narrow, windy road in the middle of residential neighborhoods. It cannot handle increased traffic volumes. Ending HOT lanes at the Pike would create a nightmare. Where would the traffic go? Did any of the people working on this project ever drive south on the New Jersey Turnpike where the lanes narrow? Traffic backs-up for miles! If were were to terminate HOT lanes at the Georgetown Pike, some of that traffic would clearly start spilling onto Georgetown Pike and neighborhood streets. Also, keep in mind that there are many schools near the Pike, including Langley H.S. , Cooper Middle, St. Luke's, Maderia, and Oakcrest. Do we want more traffic near these schools?
HOT lanes must terminate at the Dulles Toll Road, not on a narrow, winding road through residential neighborhoods and near our schools. Moreover, termination of the HOT lanes at the Toll Road would reduce the cost of the project. That's in everyone's best interest. Concerned individuals should contact VDOT to complain or NoVA's representative to the CTB, Doug Koelemay. He's a sharp guy who should be able to stop this foolishness. If not, we need a new CTB representative.
posted by Toomanytaxes at 7:41 AM
2 Comments:
current plans for the HOT Lanes do show the project ending at the Dulles Toll Road. Continuing to Georgetown Pike will only occur when Maryland widens the bridge.
At the MCA's meeting on September 26th, Supervisor DuBois told the group that the plan has been revised and the HOT lanes on the Capital Beltway will end at the Dulles Toll Road not at Georgetown Pike.
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