How bad will Georgetown Pike be during school drop off hours in McLean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d like the left turn closed at 123/Blake lane from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm.Who do I contact? The traffic on Blake lane is terrible! It’s everyone cutting through a road with residential area only to get to 66. It’s mainly non-Fairfax county residents. It takes 30 minutes for locals to go just 2 miles. It takes 20 minutes to make a left turn onto Blake Lane from any neighborhood street at that timeframe. It’s worse in the morning with commuters causing school buses and parents to be late as they make their way to the metro. People get off at 123 and head down Blake Lane to get to metro. A residential street has become a commuters short cut.

But, it’s nit Georgetown Pike - not loads of rich people - so we’ll see if vdot looks into it. Maybe they could just add lights at every intersection, so residents can get out of their streets.

The Langley/Great Falls crowd expects special treatment. Whether it's keeping the poor kids out of their schools, keeping their kids out of the schools with poor kids, or keeping Maryland cars off roads near their homes.

If VDOT closes this ramp, the traffic won't magically disappear. It will just spill over into other neighborhoods in McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington that already have their fair share of traffic. If Arlington and Fairfax politicians allow this, they should be removed from office.

I am the OP. My kids are young and I don’t know the political history with Langley High School. Our house is in a very quiet residential area. Georgetown Pike is only one lane where we turn onto it. It is a huge bottleneck and it happens to be on our route to our zoned elementary, middle school and high schools are located.

Ironically we picked our house because we thought it would be quiet and safe in a good school pyramid. I would not have bought the house knowing we would be in bumper to bumper traffic to and from school everyday.

The only thing worse than the traffic in our area of McLean are the social class warriors like the poster above who love to paint Langley residents with a wide brush. They are no less demanding than any other parent in our area who wants the best education for the children and equal access to their public school amenities. Don't listen to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d like the left turn closed at 123/Blake lane from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm.Who do I contact? The traffic on Blake lane is terrible! It’s everyone cutting through a road with residential area only to get to 66. It’s mainly non-Fairfax county residents. It takes 30 minutes for locals to go just 2 miles. It takes 20 minutes to make a left turn onto Blake Lane from any neighborhood street at that timeframe. It’s worse in the morning with commuters causing school buses and parents to be late as they make their way to the metro. People get off at 123 and head down Blake Lane to get to metro. A residential street has become a commuters short cut.

But, it’s nit Georgetown Pike - not loads of rich people - so we’ll see if vdot looks into it. Maybe they could just add lights at every intersection, so residents can get out of their streets.

The Langley/Great Falls crowd expects special treatment. Whether it's keeping the poor kids out of their schools, keeping their kids out of the schools with poor kids, or keeping Maryland cars off roads near their homes.

If VDOT closes this ramp, the traffic won't magically disappear. It will just spill over into other neighborhoods in McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington that already have their fair share of traffic. If Arlington and Fairfax politicians allow this, they should be removed from office.

Okay, so somehow it is preferable if the traffic affects the nicer neighborhood? The one that carries a good chunk of Fairfax County? Hilarious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d like the left turn closed at 123/Blake lane from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm.Who do I contact? The traffic on Blake lane is terrible! It’s everyone cutting through a road with residential area only to get to 66. It’s mainly non-Fairfax county residents. It takes 30 minutes for locals to go just 2 miles. It takes 20 minutes to make a left turn onto Blake Lane from any neighborhood street at that timeframe. It’s worse in the morning with commuters causing school buses and parents to be late as they make their way to the metro. People get off at 123 and head down Blake Lane to get to metro. A residential street has become a commuters short cut.

But, it’s nit Georgetown Pike - not loads of rich people - so we’ll see if vdot looks into it. Maybe they could just add lights at every intersection, so residents can get out of their streets.

The Langley/Great Falls crowd expects special treatment. Whether it's keeping the poor kids out of their schools, keeping their kids out of the schools with poor kids, or keeping Maryland cars off roads near their homes.

If VDOT closes this ramp, the traffic won't magically disappear. It will just spill over into other neighborhoods in McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington that already have their fair share of traffic. If Arlington and Fairfax politicians allow this, they should be removed from office.

Okay, so somehow it is preferable if the traffic affects the nicer neighborhood? The one that carries a good chunk of Fairfax County? Hilarious.

The traffic already affects all the neighborhoods. You simply want it to affect other neighborhoods more, and yours barely at all.

Also, Fairfax County is big, with lots of areas of affluence. If you want to know why Langley has an awful reputation, it's because people there regularly say things like it "carries a good chunk of Fairfax County." If you stopped to look down your noses occasionally, you might actually find out that the rest of us aren't riding on your shoulders.

[Anonymous]

What you seemingly fail to understand is the fact that these Langley folks cannot even get out of their neighborhoods! It is not a joke! Commuters are lined up on all of the parallel and perpendicular streets to GTPike blocking people’s driveways! They can no longer navigate their own communities let alone their own neighborhoods thanks to our of state commuters. YOU are the one being selfish! YOU must live in areas of McLean like 123 that are four lane roads that can handle traffic. The winding GTPike cannot. The narrow Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads cannot. YOU are the snob who is failing to grasp the reality of the traffic situation and would rather engage in class warfare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d like the left turn closed at 123/Blake lane from 7-9 am and 4-7 pm.Who do I contact? The traffic on Blake lane is terrible! It’s everyone cutting through a road with residential area only to get to 66. It’s mainly non-Fairfax county residents. It takes 30 minutes for locals to go just 2 miles. It takes 20 minutes to make a left turn onto Blake Lane from any neighborhood street at that timeframe. It’s worse in the morning with commuters causing school buses and parents to be late as they make their way to the metro. People get off at 123 and head down Blake Lane to get to metro. A residential street has become a commuters short cut.

But, it’s nit Georgetown Pike - not loads of rich people - so we’ll see if vdot looks into it. Maybe they could just add lights at every intersection, so residents can get out of their streets.

The Langley/Great Falls crowd expects special treatment. Whether it's keeping the poor kids out of their schools, keeping their kids out of the schools with poor kids, or keeping Maryland cars off roads near their homes.

If VDOT closes this ramp, the traffic won't magically disappear. It will just spill over into other neighborhoods in McLean, Falls Church, and Arlington that already have their fair share of traffic. If Arlington and Fairfax politicians allow this, they should be removed from office.

I am the OP. My kids are young and I don’t know the political history with Langley High School. Our house is in a very quiet residential area. Georgetown Pike is only one lane where we turn onto it. It is a huge bottleneck and it happens to be on our route to our zoned elementary, middle school and high schools are located.

Ironically we picked our house because we thought it would be quiet and safe in a good school pyramid. I would not have bought the house knowing we would be in bumper to bumper traffic to and from school everyday.

I sympathize for you if you have no way out of your neighborhood other than to make a left turn onto Georgetown Pike.

Usually it's a good idea to do some trial runs to work, schools and shopping at different times of day, including rush hour, from a home you are considering before making an offer.

Even if you did not know how much traffic there would be, it's not a new phenomenon, and the price for the home reflected its location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you seemingly fail to understand is the fact that these Langley folks cannot even get out of their neighborhoods! It is not a joke! Commuters are lined up on all of the parallel and perpendicular streets to GTPike blocking people’s driveways! They can no longer navigate their own communities let alone their own neighborhoods thanks to our of state commuters. YOU are the one being selfish! YOU must live in areas of McLean like 123 that are four lane roads that can handle traffic. The winding GTPike cannot. The narrow Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads cannot. YOU are the snob who is failing to grasp the reality of the traffic situation and would rather engage in class warfare.

Um, who do you think kept Georgetown Pike the way it is all these years? It wasn't people who live in Arlington, Falls Church, or other parts of McLean.

But thanks for clarifying that, indeed, you do want to divert more traffic to Route 123, which already has plenty. That will make the heart of Tysons even more congested and increase commutes for anyone heading to Vienna, Oakton, or Fairfax as well. But as long as they stay out of the Langley areas, it's fine, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you seemingly fail to understand is the fact that these Langley folks cannot even get out of their neighborhoods! It is not a joke! Commuters are lined up on all of the parallel and perpendicular streets to GTPike blocking people’s driveways! They can no longer navigate their own communities let alone their own neighborhoods thanks to our of state commuters. YOU are the one being selfish! YOU must live in areas of McLean like 123 that are four lane roads that can handle traffic. The winding GTPike cannot. The narrow Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads cannot. YOU are the snob who is failing to grasp the reality of the traffic situation and would rather engage in class warfare.

Um, who do you think kept Georgetown Pike the way it is all these years? It wasn't people who live in Arlington, Falls Church, or other parts of McLean.

But thanks for clarifying that, indeed, you do want to divert more traffic to Route 123, which already has plenty. That will make the heart of Tysons even more congested and increase commutes for anyone heading to Vienna, Oakton, or Fairfax as well. But as long as they stay out of the Langley areas, it's fine, right?

Tell you what - how about we bring 123 and Route 7 down to one lane roads. Then you post your address for everyone so that we can go block your driveway and neighborhood streets. Perhaps then you'll understand just how "privileged" you actually are with navigable roads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you seemingly fail to understand is the fact that these Langley folks cannot even get out of their neighborhoods! It is not a joke! Commuters are lined up on all of the parallel and perpendicular streets to GTPike blocking people’s driveways! They can no longer navigate their own communities let alone their own neighborhoods thanks to our of state commuters. YOU are the one being selfish! YOU must live in areas of McLean like 123 that are four lane roads that can handle traffic. The winding GTPike cannot. The narrow Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads cannot. YOU are the snob who is failing to grasp the reality of the traffic situation and would rather engage in class warfare.

Um, who do you think kept Georgetown Pike the way it is all these years? It wasn't people who live in Arlington, Falls Church, or other parts of McLean.

But thanks for clarifying that, indeed, you do want to divert more traffic to Route 123, which already has plenty. That will make the heart of Tysons even more congested and increase commutes for anyone heading to Vienna, Oakton, or Fairfax as well. But as long as they stay out of the Langley areas, it's fine, right?

Tell you what - how about we bring 123 and Route 7 down to one lane roads. Then you post your address for everyone so that we can go block your driveway and neighborhood streets. Perhaps then you'll understand just how "privileged" you actually are with navigable roads.

It's area residents who fought every proposal over the years to widen Georgetown Pike, often invoking Route 7 or Route 123 as examples of what you did not want. You thought that keeping Georgetown Pike narrow and hard to navigate would keep away commuters from other parts of Fairfax or Loudoun, or from Maryland. At the same time, you were raising hell with your School Board representative to keep Langley HS out of boundary studies that might have seen parts of Langley moved to Herndon or South Lakes, even though they were closer.

You got what you asked for, and now it's not working out as well as you'd hoped. It turns out other people have to get to their own jobs, houses, and schools, too. Who knew?

Maybe they could add some additional stop lights on Georgetown Pike, but the last thing VDOT should do is to limit access to the closest ramp on the Beltway to Maryland because some rich people in McLean and Great Falls think they shouldn't have to deal with the same externalities as others put up with every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you seemingly fail to understand is the fact that these Langley folks cannot even get out of their neighborhoods! It is not a joke! Commuters are lined up on all of the parallel and perpendicular streets to GTPike blocking people’s driveways! They can no longer navigate their own communities let alone their own neighborhoods thanks to our of state commuters. YOU are the one being selfish! YOU must live in areas of McLean like 123 that are four lane roads that can handle traffic. The winding GTPike cannot. The narrow Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads cannot. YOU are the snob who is failing to grasp the reality of the traffic situation and would rather engage in class warfare.

Um, who do you think kept Georgetown Pike the way it is all these years? It wasn't people who live in Arlington, Falls Church, or other parts of McLean.

But thanks for clarifying that, indeed, you do want to divert more traffic to Route 123, which already has plenty. That will make the heart of Tysons even more congested and increase commutes for anyone heading to Vienna, Oakton, or Fairfax as well. But as long as they stay out of the Langley areas, it's fine, right?

Tell you what - how about we bring 123 and Route 7 down to one lane roads. Then you post your address for everyone so that we can go block your driveway and neighborhood streets. Perhaps then you'll understand just how "privileged" you actually are with navigable roads.

It's area residents who fought every proposal over the years to widen Georgetown Pike, often invoking Route 7 or Route 123 as examples of what you did not want. You thought that keeping Georgetown Pike narrow and hard to navigate would keep away commuters from other parts of Fairfax or Loudoun, or from Maryland. At the same time, you were raising hell with your School Board representative to keep Langley HS out of boundary studies that might have seen parts of Langley moved to Herndon or South Lakes, even though they were closer.

You got what you asked for, and now it's not working out as well as you'd hoped. It turns out other people have to get to their own jobs, houses, and schools, too. Who knew?

Maybe they could add some additional stop lights on Georgetown Pike, but the last thing VDOT should do is to limit access to the closest ramp on the Beltway to Maryland because some rich people in McLean and Great Falls think they shouldn't have to deal with the same externalities as others put up with every day.

What are you talking about? I've lived here for 20 years and no one has ever proposed ever expanding GTown Pike. You know why? It's on the National Register of Historic Places and cannot be touched. That is why. And it if could be, how exactly would you propose expanding it along the windy areas of Scott's Run and Difficult Run? How would you propose an expansion through Great Falls? You going to tear out the library and new fire station and seize land and homes along the 16+mile route via eminent domain?

You are blowing hot air.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What you seemingly fail to understand is the fact that these Langley folks cannot even get out of their neighborhoods! It is not a joke! Commuters are lined up on all of the parallel and perpendicular streets to GTPike blocking people’s driveways! They can no longer navigate their own communities let alone their own neighborhoods thanks to our of state commuters. YOU are the one being selfish! YOU must live in areas of McLean like 123 that are four lane roads that can handle traffic. The winding GTPike cannot. The narrow Swinks Mill and Balls Hill roads cannot. YOU are the snob who is failing to grasp the reality of the traffic situation and would rather engage in class warfare.

Um, who do you think kept Georgetown Pike the way it is all these years? It wasn't people who live in Arlington, Falls Church, or other parts of McLean.

But thanks for clarifying that, indeed, you do want to divert more traffic to Route 123, which already has plenty. That will make the heart of Tysons even more congested and increase commutes for anyone heading to Vienna, Oakton, or Fairfax as well. But as long as they stay out of the Langley areas, it's fine, right?

Tell you what - how about we bring 123 and Route 7 down to one lane roads. Then you post your address for everyone so that we can go block your driveway and neighborhood streets. Perhaps then you'll understand just how "privileged" you actually are with navigable roads.

It's area residents who fought every proposal over the years to widen Georgetown Pike, often invoking Route 7 or Route 123 as examples of what you did not want. You thought that keeping Georgetown Pike narrow and hard to navigate would keep away commuters from other parts of Fairfax or Loudoun, or from Maryland. At the same time, you were raising hell with your School Board representative to keep Langley HS out of boundary studies that might have seen parts of Langley moved to Herndon or South Lakes, even though they were closer.

You got what you asked for, and now it's not working out as well as you'd hoped. It turns out other people have to get to their own jobs, houses, and schools, too. Who knew?

Maybe they could add some additional stop lights on Georgetown Pike, but the last thing VDOT should do is to limit access to the closest ramp on the Beltway to Maryland because some rich people in McLean and Great Falls think they shouldn't have to deal with the same externalities as others put up with every day.

What are you talking about? I've lived here for 20 years and no one has ever proposed ever expanding GTown Pike. You know why? It's on the National Register of Historic Places and cannot be touched. That is why. And it if could be, how exactly would you propose expanding it along the windy areas of Scott's Run and Difficult Run? How would you propose an expansion through Great Falls? You going to tear out the library and new fire station and seize land and homes along the 16+mile route via eminent domain?

You are blowing hot air.

Northern Virginia is full of historic roads whose character has been changed over time to accommodate growth.

If you want to pretend to live in the 19th century, go right ahead, but don't expect the rest of us to bear the brunt of your illusions. If county or state politicians lift one finger to divert the traffic in your neighborhoods into ours, which already have plenty of their own traffic to deal with, we will call them out for sucking up to Langley once again, and we will replace them.

[Anonymous]

^^You didn't answer the question. I'm wondering too: how exactly would you propose expanding it along the windy areas of Scott's Run and Difficult Run? How would you propose an expansion through Great Falls? You going to tear out the library and new fire station and seize land and homes along the 16+mile route via eminent domain?

[Anonymous]

I'd love for our current politicians to be replaced. Strauss, Foust, Murphy and Favor? Please, please - yes work to replace them.

[Anonymous]

*Favola

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love for our current politicians to be replaced. Strauss, Foust, Murphy and Favor? Please, please - yes work to replace them.

The only hot air here is being blown by the conservative Republicans who are present in such large numbers in the Langley areas. They somehow expect the local Democratic politicians (Foust, Murphy, Favola, and Murphy) to do their bidding before they turn around and vote against them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^You didn't answer the question. I'm wondering too: how exactly would you propose expanding it along the windy areas of Scott's Run and Difficult Run? How would you propose an expansion through Great Falls? You going to tear out the library and new fire station and seize land and homes along the 16+mile route via eminent domain?

The same way the state is widening 66 in Dunn Loring - take homes and give only FMV. Yeah - let’s see they politicians play in the everyday folk sandbox. Widen Gtown Pike, for real. No more priority treatment because of who lives there.