Will we ever have another Potomac River crossing?

Another Potomac River crossing?

Perhaps at White's Ferry, or by extending Route 28 or Fairfax County Parkway over to Maryland?

Every time I get stuck in beltway traffic, and/or have to drive in a "U" shape to go from Ashburn to my relatives' house in North Potomac, MD, I'm frustrated by the lack of an additional crossing.

http://www.wtop.com/41/2726720/WTOP-Answer-Desk-New-Potomac-river-crossing-coming

 

No, we won't. Not in our lifetimes.

 

But why not? I know that there are environmental and cost concerns, but won't we reap environmental and cost benefits by spending less time sitting in traffic with our engines running?

 

Maryland has not and will not support it. Opens up too much agricultural land on their side to development. They haven't budged on this in my 15 years here.

 

Maryland is afraid of losing people, and jobs

 

It's kinda nice taking White's ferry across into MD and seeing the history there and lack of development... kind of like driving into the past. Though I have seen development creeping further and further over the years, but not as much as here.

 

Here is a map, the red signifies the New Potomac River Crossing/Techway (connecting MD to VA), it also details
the approved "Outer-beltway" project.

During this year's VA House of Delegates Legislative Session, Del. Minchew officially stated he would
sponsor a bill/funds for the State to conduct a "feasibility stud".

To my knowledge the study findings have yet to be release to the public. Based on the proposed river cites (Rte 28, Algonkian Pkwy, Point of Rocks/Luckettes), I believe that portions of the land (MD & VA Potomac Riverbank) could be govern by the Bureau of Land Mgmt. So while Del. Minchew's effort are a good start, I would guess BML would also have to conduct a feasibility, traffic & environmental study.

Based on Del. Minchew's study findings, it maybe very difficult to overcome the lack of need and multiple VDOT/MDOT studies - all of which have purported to show a lack of need.

 

Thanks for posting the map, Erika.

Cliff and Gregg, thanks for posting the reasons you heard in opposition to the road. I understand Maryland's concerns about preserving agricultural space and about losing people and jobs. MD reps could still restrict development (for a time) around the road on their side of the river. And while some people and businesses would leave MD to live in Loudoun County, others would leave Loudoun County to live in MD. It just seems so artificially restrictive not to build the road. The first time I took the ferry, I was surprised at how short the distance over the water was.

 

The problem with redistricting is just that....it can be changed. The concern is that if the bridge is built, there will be enough pressure put on politicians, or a change in politicians, to ones that would vote favorably to change the area from agricultural to higher density. The way to make sure it doesn't happen is to not build a bridge.
Virginia would love it, Maryland doesn't, so it would take the Feds to force it. They simply don't have the interest for a local issue.

 

only if Loudoun gets big businesses moved from MD or DC where lot of Marylanders work.