Traffic on 66 (Hampton, Alexandria, Annandale: sales tax, living in, move)

[ajzjmsmom]

Originally Posted by novaslasher

Even if the orange line was expanded from Vienna to Manassas there would still be problems. The orange line is packed to the gills during rush hour. There is hardly even standing room from DC to West Falls Church during evening rush (it thins out considerably at West Falls Church). I don't know if they can add additional cars or trains, but I wouldn't be surprised if another rail line is needed to handle the increase in capacity.

I don't think there is much room to expand either the Metro (the median ends at the Vienna Metro) or I-66 (no room to add new lanes without ripping into developments along the freeway). Maybe an elevated metro or elevated freeway extension could be added between the freeway, but the cost would be high. It would also be costly to make the metro track underground. But it's too bad they can't turn I-66 into a double decker freeway.

The Post had an article in the Sunday Metro section about future expansions to the DC transit system. Sadly, the paragraph on I-66 had the experts talking about an "express bus system" and turning the HOV-2 lanes into HOV-3. Later in the article, one of the experts did talk about the need to expand the orange line though.

This is my husbands major complaint is how packed the orange line gets. He keeps trying to figure out the best time to leave his office but hasn't gotten it figured out yet.

[yamota]

It just gets worse every year. It was bad to begin with but people who started using I-66 on a regular basis the last two years has made it worse. I can remember when during the morning rush, you could expect certain relief on the east bound HOV once you go inside the beltway, but not anymore. Now you can expect heavy traffic all the way.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by yamota

It just gets worse every year. It was bad to begin with but people who started using I-66 on a regular basis the last two years has made it worse. I can remember when during the morning rush, you could expect certain relief on the east bound HOV once you go inside the beltway, but not anymore. Now you can expect heavy traffic all the way.

The problem is there aren't exactly a lot of options to get into the city from that part of VA. Maybe another freeway is needed? Yeah having the orange line go out to Manassas would be good but I'm thinking something more express maybe extending the hours of VRE to match the metro's?

[saganista]

Metro is highly effective, but it's heavy-rail, so it's expensive and time-consuming to construct. Getting Metro out to Dulles and Loudoun County was clearly the #1 priority, and #2 will be clearing up the traffic jam caused by Silver, Orange, and Blue line trains all using the same tracks downtown. That'll take at least a decade to deal with, probably more, so Metro to Manassas is likely a very long way off. Extending VRE out to Gainesville and Haymarket and expanding its physical plant and schedule are probably a more viable option as far as heavy-rail through the Manassas area goes. If properly utilized (and funded) VRE could be pull a lot more commuting weight than it currently does.

[irvine]

Originally Posted by saganista

If properly utilized (and funded) VRE could be pull a lot more commuting weight than it currently does.

And hopefully, like most other suburban rail lines of other cities (SEPTA, Metro North, Metrolink (So Cal), MBTA (Mass), NJ Transit, Metra (Chicago), etc) VRE and MARC will one day offer weekend and late night service. Unfortunately, families in parts of Northern VA and suburban MD who wish to take the train into the city for dinner, or a day at the museums are currently out of luck.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by terrence81

I wouldn't go as far as to say there'd be no congestion at all. The problem with this area is that the methods of transportation both rail and roadways have not kept pace with the growth, over a million people (myself included) have moved to Northern Virginia in the past twenty or so years. More roads PLUS more rail would be the answer.

Yes, but see my Urban Planning thread for a good example of people from this forum with the "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it; why don't YOU move?" mentality! As long as the majority of folks here think NoVA is all puppies and sunshine with no need for infrastructural improvements then we're only going to see things get MUCH worse when hundreds of thousands MORE people move here!

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by Fantasticx

I66 needs a metrorail more than dulles toll road. If there's an orange line going to Manasas, then there's no congestion.

Route 7 up in the Reston/Tyson's area is by no means a rush-hour picnic either. When I have stress in traffic on a WEEKEND on this road then you know it needs relief. I just hope the IDIOTS in Loudoun County who are fighting against the Silver Line don't get their way. If they do, then I want THEM to drive ME to work!

[anonymous703]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Yes, but see my Urban Planning thread for a good example of people from this forum with the "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it; why don't YOU move?" mentality! As long as the majority of folks here think NoVA is all puppies and sunshine with no need for infrastructural improvements then we're only going to see things get MUCH worse when hundreds of thousands MORE people move here!

Who says there is no need for infrastructural improvements? I think most people's attitude is "NIMBY, NWMTD" (Not in my back yard, and not with my tax dollars.) There was a referendum a few years ago, something like 0.5% sales tax increase to pay for transportation, and it was voted down.

And I'm in the camp that says the I66 corridor needs VRE expanded VRE service, not metro service (I don't think the orange line can handle many more passengers without some drastic incrase in capacity.) And it would be really nice if VRE did run late into the night and more throughout the day.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by anonymous703

Who says there is no need for infrastructural improvements? I think most people's attitude is "NIMBY, NWMTD" (Not in my back yard, and not with my tax dollars.) There was a referendum a few years ago, something like 0.5% sales tax increase to pay for transportation, and it was voted down.

And I'm in the camp that says the I66 corridor needs VRE expanded VRE service, not metro service (I don't think the orange line can handle many more passengers without some drastic incrase in capacity.) And it would be really nice if VRE did run late into the night and more throughout the day.

Exactly. People will whine about the traffic until the cows go home (and WILL see their commute times grow longer with each passing year as more move here), but they do NOT want to pay for improvements. Personally I'm more than willing to pay a new tax to help fund expanded mass transit service, new roads and bridges, etc. Who is supposed to fund this all, exactly? Donald Trump? A Yeti?

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by anonymous703

And I'm in the camp that says the I66 corridor needs VRE expanded VRE service, not metro service (I don't think the orange line can handle many more passengers without some drastic incrase in capacity.) And it would be really nice if VRE did run late into the night and more throughout the day.

I agree. Why spend all the money to build for Metro track out to Manassas when the VRE system is already there and ready to go. VRE needs a major expansion in both Manassas and Woodbridge. More trains, extended hours, and it definitely needs to run on weekends.