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In the 50's & 60's, DC had planned a major highway network that would have chopped up the city. Thanks to opposition, the city never moved forward with building it. Instead, they diverted the highway funds to build the metro (Thank God). DC has the I495/95 beltway which encircles the city, I66, I395, I270 and not much else. DC was supposed to have an inner beltway and two connectors (north central and north eastern). I66, I95 and I think I270 was supposed to run entirely thru the city. I395 which is really I95 stops at New York Ave in downtown. I66 stops at Virginia Ave in Foggy Bottom. The SE/SW freeway is used as a connector. It's a blessing that this never came to fruition. I am a firm believer that building more highways does not solve traffic problems.
Most of DCs traffic problems are outside the beltway. Getting around inside the beltway even during rush hour is manageable either by car or metro. The problem's are on the beltway and all the roads and highways outside it, especially 95 and 66. The reasoning is inside the beltway they have older cities with grid systems in place, whereas outside the beltway you have a huge number of subdivisions and office parks built off old farm roads and state highways. The bridge crossings are a problem, but definitely not one of the bigger ones.
How in carnation did Boston not make the list? I routinely used to get stuck on the Southern Artery at 1AM on Tuesday/Wednesday nights. Not to mention the five kazillion pot holes everywhere...And New York? They must be taking subways into account and giving cities with good mass transit a bonus or something...
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