Upper Beach Drive to Remain Closed to Cars Year Round

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t DDOT need to re-do their traffic impact study of Connecticut Avenue Option C with the now-planned closure of Beach Drive? The Post article show Beach Drive as the closest N-S alternative to Connecticut Ave. But that won’t be an option going forward.

No, because Beach has been closed for over two years. We can see how it is going to be, which is not different than it is today.

Really a nothingburger.

You incorrectly assume traffic volumes aren’t going to increase as more people return to an office, even if only part-time.

They can take public transit or bike if the new traffic patterns are that big of a problem for them.

This thread is filling me full of schadenfreude knowing that all the car addicts are seething with impotent rage, grasping at "but what if!" straws when in reality that road is closed for good and it's never coming back.

Cope.

If Trump gets elected again (highly probable), reopening Beach Drive is totally something he'd do just to piss of Ds.

You be sure to cope then.

What are you talking about?! I’m a D and want it open. I think the breakdown of supporting reopening is if you live near RCP with kids. Not a single neighbor with kids supports this because of the increase car traffic in the neighborhoods.

+1

Those with kids and those that frequent both sides of the park want it open. Those without kids and those that don't frequent the "other" side don't want it reopened.

Inaccurate. Source: father of three in CCDC who is very happy with the NPS decision. And by "other" side do you mean the north side or the south side because those are the two "sides" connected by Beach Drive. Or were you trying to make this an EOTP vs WOTP thing?

Wise doesn't go all the way through. Hawthorne and Barnaby Woods are connected to Colonial Village and North Portal via Beach Drive.

The small part of Beach between Wise and West Beach is open so you can go down Wise, turn left on Beach, then turn right onto West Beach to get to Kalmia

Is it guaranteed to stay open under this? It is part of upper beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t DDOT need to re-do their traffic impact study of Connecticut Avenue Option C with the now-planned closure of Beach Drive? The Post article show Beach Drive as the closest N-S alternative to Connecticut Ave. But that won’t be an option going forward.

No, because Beach has been closed for over two years. We can see how it is going to be, which is not different than it is today.

Really a nothingburger.

You incorrectly assume traffic volumes aren’t going to increase as more people return to an office, even if only part-time.

They can take public transit or bike if the new traffic patterns are that big of a problem for them.

This thread is filling me full of schadenfreude knowing that all the car addicts are seething with impotent rage, grasping at "but what if!" straws when in reality that road is closed for good and it's never coming back.

Cope.

If Trump gets elected again (highly probable), reopening Beach Drive is totally something he'd do just to piss of Ds.

You be sure to cope then.

What are you talking about?! I’m a D and want it open. I think the breakdown of supporting reopening is if you live near RCP with kids. Not a single neighbor with kids supports this because of the increase car traffic in the neighborhoods.

+1

Those with kids and those that frequent both sides of the park want it open. Those without kids and those that don't frequent the "other" side don't want it reopened.

Inaccurate. Source: father of three in CCDC who is very happy with the NPS decision. And by "other" side do you mean the north side or the south side because those are the two "sides" connected by Beach Drive. Or were you trying to make this an EOTP vs WOTP thing?

Wise doesn't go all the way through. Hawthorne and Barnaby Woods are connected to Colonial Village and North Portal via Beach Drive.

The small part of Beach between Wise and West Beach is open so you can go down Wise, turn left on Beach, then turn right onto West Beach to get to Kalmia

Is it guaranteed to stay open under this? It is part of upper beach.

Yes. Nothing is changing from how it is today and has been for the last few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

Multiple responses to your post and no mention of any data. I suspect your suspicion about needs of a few outweighing the needs of the many is correct.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

Multiple responses to your post and no mention of any data. I suspect your suspicion about needs of a few outweighing the needs of the many is correct.

Because it is entirely irrelevant. The mandate of the National PARK Service does not include helping suburban commuters find a more convenient way to drive to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

[Anonymous]

If rock creek closed for bikes then should reinstate Connecticut Ave w four lanes down in morning and then in afternoon. Otherwise people will use neighborhood streets making it less safe for families. You can’t cut off everything for bikers (tiny number of them) and make it worse for the overwhelming number of people who need to go downtown. It is just ridiculous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

Multiple responses to your post and no mention of any data. I suspect your suspicion about needs of a few outweighing the needs of the many is correct.

Because it is entirely irrelevant. The mandate of the National PARK Service does not include helping suburban commuters find a more convenient way to drive to work.

This how you answer when you don't know the answer and are gleeful you won.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn’t DDOT need to re-do their traffic impact study of Connecticut Avenue Option C with the now-planned closure of Beach Drive? The Post article show Beach Drive as the closest N-S alternative to Connecticut Ave. But that won’t be an option going forward.

No, because Beach has been closed for over two years. We can see how it is going to be, which is not different than it is today.

Really a nothingburger.

You incorrectly assume traffic volumes aren’t going to increase as more people return to an office, even if only part-time.

They can take public transit or bike if the new traffic patterns are that big of a problem for them.

This thread is filling me full of schadenfreude knowing that all the car addicts are seething with impotent rage, grasping at "but what if!" straws when in reality that road is closed for good and it's never coming back.

Cope.

If Trump gets elected again (highly probable), reopening Beach Drive is totally something he'd do just to piss of Ds.

You be sure to cope then.

What are you talking about?! I’m a D and want it open. I think the breakdown of supporting reopening is if you live near RCP with kids. Not a single neighbor with kids supports this because of the increase car traffic in the neighborhoods.

+1

Those with kids and those that frequent both sides of the park want it open. Those without kids and those that don't frequent the "other" side don't want it reopened.

Inaccurate. Source: father of three in CCDC who is very happy with the NPS decision. And by "other" side do you mean the north side or the south side because those are the two "sides" connected by Beach Drive. Or were you trying to make this an EOTP vs WOTP thing?

Wise doesn't go all the way through. Hawthorne and Barnaby Woods are connected to Colonial Village and North Portal via Beach Drive.

The small part of Beach between Wise and West Beach is open so you can go down Wise, turn left on Beach, then turn right onto West Beach to get to Kalmia

Is it guaranteed to stay open under this? It is part of upper beach.

Yes. Nothing is changing from how it is today and has been for the last few years.

Why don't I believe you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

Please. NPS does not care about Cheh or cyclists. They have a larger mission. And it’s not facilitating Maryland commuters at the expense of park land. I suspect they have been wanting to do this for years and the pandemic gave them the opening they needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

Please. NPS does not care about Cheh or cyclists. They have a larger mission. And it’s not facilitating Maryland commuters at the expense of park land. I suspect they have been wanting to do this for years and the pandemic gave them the opening they needed.

It’s funny to read this while understanding that NPS operates and maintains some of the most scenic roads in America as a part of their core mission and tradition.

But closer to home, I’m curious to know what differentiates NPS mission in terms of GW and Clara Barton Parkways as opposed to Beach Drive/Potomac Parkway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

Please. NPS does not care about Cheh or cyclists. They have a larger mission. And it’s not facilitating Maryland commuters at the expense of park land. I suspect they have been wanting to do this for years and the pandemic gave them the opening they needed.

It’s funny to read this while understanding that NPS operates and maintains some of the most scenic roads in America as a part of their core mission and tradition.

But closer to home, I’m curious to know what differentiates NPS mission in terms of GW and Clara Barton Parkways as opposed to Beach Drive/Potomac Parkway?

Don’t forget the Baltimore-Washington and Suitland Parkways, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

Please. NPS does not care about Cheh or cyclists. They have a larger mission. And it’s not facilitating Maryland commuters at the expense of park land. I suspect they have been wanting to do this for years and the pandemic gave them the opening they needed.

Then why did the NPS spend $33m to resurface the roadway on Beach Drive from 2016 to 2019? And announce its completion as a great help for back to school driving?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

Please. NPS does not care about Cheh or cyclists. They have a larger mission. And it’s not facilitating Maryland commuters at the expense of park land. I suspect they have been wanting to do this for years and the pandemic gave them the opening they needed.

Then why did the NPS spend $33m to resurface the roadway on Beach Drive from 2016 to 2019? And announce its completion as a great help for back to school driving?

This points to the fact that Beach Drive is not paid for by DC taxpayers alone, but by federal taxpayers nationwide.

Congress could always direct the NPS to reopen Beach Drive in an upcoming interior appropriations bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the data on how many people used upper beach drive while driving vs those who only use it to bike and walk? It seems the needs of the few are over the needs of the many.

Om a side note where can I park so I can walk my dog there? I live too far away to walk. ( without getting a ticket) so like 2 hour parking

TY!

It is a park, not a highway. The mission of the national PARK service is to maintain parks, not provide a commuter route for drivers of cars.

How come we had been driving there for at least as long as I have been in DC? 33 years? Why all of a sudden they can't maintain what they have been maintaining?

NPS doesn't want to change it. They were pressured by cyclists and Cheh. This was not their idea.

They weren't pressured. It was environmental activists from many corners who were incredulous at the bizarre justification for re-opening. It is a Federal agency, something a local Councilmember has ZERO jurisdiction over.