Jolted by HOT Lanes' Start

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/23/AR2008062302253.html


I think what this horrible disaster to the beltway is an example of the lack of scope and the hurry to do anything in the DC area lately. Even a road should be a good neighbor developer. I thought how horrible this stretch of the beltway was going to look and be destroyed. Now all of a sudden when nothing can be done about it this section of the beltway is going from looking like driving thru somewhat a park to becoming the one of the ugliest stretches of roadway in the area. What a shame the lack of scope and foresight many of the people in charge have around here.

And the wonderful part will be one the highest tolls in the nation to use it which will make the greenway look cheap.

I really believe many of the people in charge around here for development from roads to signage to the McDonald's and what goes where just don't have any sensitivity to our environment the trees that took hundreds of years to grow. And god knows what else. Now after we destroy these trees and we are mechanically trying to save the destruction to the environment and the rivers and creeks woods to the tune of trillions of dollars. Destroying it then spending trillions to fix what they destroyed makes no sense this day and age.

You can build a road, a building, a development or even an outhouse sensitively and not hurt the trees and rivers etc.

We have tools such as animated video that can foresee many of the problems a development, a road or even an hospital will do both visually and the real harm it does to air quality, water quality transportation. The greatest device we have in the design and development business is the animated video it can show up many many problems.

You know why the bad neighbor or ignorant and even worse the evil developer does not, because it exposes much of their ignorance and the serious problems that will happen after it is built. I am starting to believe we have some of the most ignorant people in charge of planning in the DC area compared to many other places in the country. Especially in charge of the real big projects such as roads and they just want to get it done by the minimum standards and not think about the eventual outcome to the landscape.

It gets sadder by the day here. Unless you just want to live in your little cocoon and not venture outside of it. Misplaced development always ends up with it's own bad karma just look at the new empty flex buildings on murder dr and the half empty old ones next door. Not only does the street name imply bad karma the misplaced development itself has it.

Just what is happening to this entire area DC area that it can't broaden it's scope and see the success and environmentally sensitive and beautifully done buildings and roads and even entire cities going up right now elsewhere in the world. Have we put on blinders and gotten that shallow in our thinking to just get something built at any cost to whatever.

 

Speaking of beautiful fairways...I wondered why Waxpool's medium strip (from rt 28 to Ashburn Farm) is not mowed and why there are no trees or flowers planted. I think it would be a lovely boulevard if maintained this way AND perhaps drivers would slow down a bit to enjoy the drive. Budget?

 

Ah you're giving VDOT too much credit--sure they may put stoplights up...but it's optional as to whether they actually turn them on.... :rolleyes3:

 

And look at this joke of a special session and it looks like no money for roads any time soon. Bye bye expansion of pacific, although we will still get the small portion of waxpool widened as they were doing utilities on it last or a week or two ago and have delivered some more utility boxes from dominion power.

 

Update my quote looks like utility construction is all she wrote this year as there was a slowdown in getting this under construction. See my other post.

 

mmm roundabouts.... now that's civilized! but i don't think a lot of US drivers could get their head wrapped around it unfortunately

 

Isn't a roundabout going in at the intersection of Rt. 15 and 50? That's a busy area (during rush hour, anyway); it should be a decent indicator of how well they might work in this area.

 

There is a long time existing roundabout in Fairfax, Fairfax Circle. It has worked great. I'd think the 50 plus years it's been there is a good indicator.

 

Doesn't it have a traffic light in addition to the circle? I remember that coming up in posts forever ago but I could be wrong. I'd think what we'd want at our intersections is the circle without a light as the light defeats the main argument for the circle. Also if they did put a light there, would that not possibly suggest that the circle wasn't working? Not that I am against one, just seem to remember there being a light there.

 

Yes, it has a light for traffic crossing over 50.

Best examples for roundabouts are in NJ. They work pretty well too.

 

in the Manalapan area of NJ they have annoyiong jug handles- no left turns on main roads, you have to exit and circle around to a light to get to the other side of the road. most annoying thing EVER.

 

The old traffic circles as people remember especially in NJ don't work well and I have a lot of relatives in NJ and they always hated those traffic circles and many were removed. They are not the same as a round About. Instead of me giving you all a 5 page paper on this Here are some links. When designed correctly they can be very effective and far nicer to look at then lights or an interchange although a interchange which is far more costly is the most efficient when when it comes to traffic if it is designed correctly which many are not these days because of cost savings and then they still have to have traffic lights in places.

http://www.virginiadot.org/info/faq-roundabouts.asp

http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/00068.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundabout_intersection

 

You are too funny Steve.

I said a round about is more efficient then a traffic signal if designed correctly but not as efficient as a full blown interchange that does not use traffic signals in any capacity.

Perhaps Steve you might want to learn construction speak because my very complex structures are built by many workers that can barely speak english

The tour is open anytime Steve and you missed Dalyns fabulous broker open at my castle home on rt 7 last week and the week before and many came from the Broadlands Weichert office both times.

I think part of the problem Steve you have is you don't work with construction people on a constant basis and you live in a sheltered cocoon of mostly professionals, not everyone is as articulate as you but if you want to get something built that may not be the most important thing. Being able to communicate with everyone is how a project gets designed and built correctly. I will add how well something is built is expected what sets it apart is the design. Same holds true for round abouts !!!!!!!

Now come on Steve loosen up a bit and go out drive that fantastic car of yours It does not bother me but you don't have to criticize everything I say as this is not english class. I can see there is some humor in you as you showed in the Kaos cabinet adventure when you claimed to win Sorry I just could not resist in answering you and I am just teasing you a bit.

 

Lee and others--

Lee--You are taking a "round about" way to get to the point (ha-ha!!)-- Just kidding--

Maybe you and Steve need to "flex-ible" in your real estate endeavors--(flex buildings--bad pun!!)

Have a good weekend--

Foodie

 

I am not going to directly answer you because how you replied says a lot about your personality and how you relate to people very much like in a cocoon insulating yourself to only people you feel are on your level. Certainly you could not associate with people like myself or construction workers as they are beneath you and perhaps that might disrupt your fairy tale way of looking at life. Don't forget I have not directly commented to you since your last little hissy fit you had with me, until now.

What I find weird is, if what I say is so much nonsense and irritates you so much, why do you and Linux and the Dog and that new one chalas spend so much time wasting your time even commenting on my comments???? Weird very weird, but that does not matter as I have zero animosity how you feel about my comments or grammar or that laborers cannot contribute to the design of a project which means they most likely in your eyes don't contribute much, except in their limited way and that the more complex stuff is only for the highly educated that mostly exist in your cocoon or who you let in there. Is that close?????

Hmmmmmm interesting philosophy on life, but hey if it works for you go for it. But non of that would stop me from having a beer with you or any of you and having heated or pleasant coversation or both.

I have always found how odd it is how people will go to great lengths to comment about peoples comments that they say are not worth their time to comment or would give them the time of day but go do it anyway. Now that is odd So why don't we all get together Steve, Linux, Dog and new one Chalas!!! and I will buy you all a few rounds of beer. Deal??????????????