Could the Gov Be Clogging Highways on Purpose for Environmental Reasons?

Having lived on Gum Spring Road for over 20 years we’ve seen daily traffic rise from fewer than 400 cars a day to well over 10,000 each weekday. Over the years we’ve had many conversations about traffic in our immediate area and asked “where have all the tax dollars gone?” many times. Jokingly, I’ve often vented that it’s the “anti-sprawlist’s” way of preventing more development. Of course, I wasn’t serious and actually believed it was just that building fiefdoms and Taj Mahals was more important to government spenders than building something to benefit those who send them the money in the first place.

Earlier today I came across a blog post that provides another plausible explanation for the incredible traffic jams that citizens in most major cities have become bitterly accustomed to. Basically, the traffic jams are viewed by some greenies as a very good thing because people will be motivated or forced to reply more on public transportation or telecommuting.

Could this be possible? Could greenies really be using high school level theory to resist the investment of billions worth of tax revenues into improving our roads? Based on recent news I do believe this is partly to blame for the complete lack of effort to build out our infrastructure at a pace even resembling our population growth. If I’m right, I say fine. Just let us know what you are doing and why and reduce our taxes significantly so we aren’t paying for goods never delivered.

Here are some articles on this very subject:

• Wired: The Upside of Traffic
• Wall Street Journal: How Traffic Jams Help the Environment
• One Green Gnome: How Can Traffic Jams Help the Environment?

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.

Yuck! Traffic Issues all Over the Area Today

This is a snapshot of the current traffic situation as depicted by the traffic.com tool used on the homepage. Friday August 15th at 3:15 pm.

I haven’t seen it this bad before today. It’s registering a 6.6 for 66 Westbound. Yuck!

Route 29 South in Prince William County to Close Aug 8-11

Southbound Route 29 in western Prince William County will be closed to traffic on three separate weekends over the next six weeks while the Virginia Department of Transportation installs a new deck on the bridge over Broad Run at Buckland. The bridge is located about a half-mile south of Route 15, near the Fauquier County border.  Motorists can expect the detour to add 20 to 30 minutes to their travel time. Traffic on northbound Route 29 is not affected by the bridge work.

The first closure will be from 9 pm Friday, Aug 8 until 5 am Monday Aug 11th.  Weekend detours are also scheduled for Aug 22-25 and Sept 5-8.

For more details and maps visit this DOT page: Route 29 Closed