Route 50 to Get Widened

After driving Route 50 for the last 20 years it’s with mixed emotions that I post this news: Beginning in 2010 construction to widen the highway will commence. The stretch of road between Avion Parkway and Poland Road that will become 6 lanes. (Source: Loudoun Times)

My emotions that are mixed? Exasperation and disappointment….. Why? Because it didn’t take rocket science to predict the horrendous traffic we encounter on Route 50 every weekday yet nothing was done for over a decade. While the widening of Route 50 will be helpful it’s a little like pouring a bucket of water on the head of a thirsty person… it’ll feel good and they may get a few sips of water, but the problem will remain.

There are too many people driving on Route 50 during rush hour today and with population growth expected to continue, it will only get worse. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an anti-sprawl loon, but Northern Virginia has been screwing it’s residents since I’ve lived here (over 40 years now) and the state and local governments continue to get away with it. BUILD SOME INFRASTRUCTURE!!!

When we moved out here in the late 80’s Route 50 was 4 lanes all the way from Gum Spring to Route 28. It took me all of 13 minutes to get from our home south of Route 50 on Gum Spring Rd to Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly.

The good old days…

Now after the population has exploded by over 1000% they’re going to widen one small stretch of highway by 50%. Sheesh.