American Legion Bridge

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Fed gov't would pay for most of the building costs (but not maintenance costs) since it's an interstate highway improvement that benefits more than one state, as is tyipcal for such projects.

The bike path thing was slipped in there to improve the chance of approval.

As for LR, it would need to connect to Tysons Silver Line, and be an extension of the Purple Line, but that wil be tough as the Purple Line extension past Bethesda would use the Capital Crescent Trail (formerly a rail line) and people would go nuts over that.

The CCT goes in, and the beltway/ALB are, you know, out. So how would that work?

They have no idea what they are talking about because they don’t even live in the county and are probably just repeating something that they read somewhere online that they thought sounded smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pedestrian walkway is absolutely needed. It would connect the C&O canal to the Potomac Heritage Trail on the Virginia side.
Anyone who has walked this are knows its long overdue for a pedestrian walkway.
That said, there is no biking on the Virginia of the river. However I think the bike lane would connect to a neighborhood on the Virginia.

If you have never been below the ALB, its well worth hiking in that area. Especially the Virginia side. Very beautiful

A pedestrian walkway on a major interstate highway is nonsense and frankly stupid. Chain Bridge already exists and accomplishes your goal of connecting trails. Cycling is illegal on both the GW and Clara Barton Parkways.

+1 Billion

Are we going to have pedestrian and bike lines on the beltway too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pedestrian walkway is absolutely needed. It would connect the C&O canal to the Potomac Heritage Trail on the Virginia side.
Anyone who has walked this are knows its long overdue for a pedestrian walkway.
That said, there is no biking on the Virginia of the river. However I think the bike lane would connect to a neighborhood on the Virginia.

If you have never been below the ALB, its well worth hiking in that area. Especially the Virginia side. Very beautiful

A pedestrian walkway on a major interstate highway is nonsense and frankly stupid. Chain Bridge already exists and accomplishes your goal of connecting trails. Cycling is illegal on both the GW and Clara Barton Parkways.

+1 Billion

Are we going to have pedestrian and bike lines on the beltway too?

Since the ALB is part of the Beltway, this is the proposal: a pedestrian walkway on the Beltway!

[Anonymous]

If we could get people to stop slowing down on the bridge, that would be great.

I have no idea why traffic doesn't move at speed across the bridge. There isn't a reduction in the number of lanes, so why is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several studies have shown such a mass transit line would have practically zero ridership.

what study, and the study include the rail connecting to the metro line?

I know several people that work in NoVA and live in Montgomery County. There is just no way someone will drive from Potomac to Derwood, park and get on the Red Line. Get off at Strathmore and get on a different transit system to take them to Tysons and then need to get back on Metro to get to Reston Town Center or wherever. Just walk through the logistics of that. It’s utter nonsense.

? I live in Potomac. The RTC stop is near 270. So, the light rail connection could be at RTC. It would take me like 10min to get to RTC red line from where I live, maybe a bit more for those in south Potomac. But even so, the light could also have a stop at 495/270 intersection, above it. That's how a lot of other cities structure their lightrail.. it's above the freeway.

The light could stop at Tyson's. Then yes, you have to get off and take the metro to Reston. That's how other cities do it, too, like London. I've taken the train from outside of London, into the outer ring of London, then switch to their underground line. It works well, and tons of people do this.

Right now, people drive over the bridge instead of taking metro because the red line goes into DC which is going AWAY from the bridge. That's why it takes so friggin long to use the metro to get to Tysons area. If you have a lightrail above 270/495, it would be faster.

You and the so-called leaders of MoCo have zero vision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we could get people to stop slowing down on the bridge, that would be great.

I have no idea why traffic doesn't move at speed across the bridge. There isn't a reduction in the number of lanes, so why is this?

Three reasons: 1. Fear, 2. Chicken necking for views, 3. It’s uphill after the bridge and people typically slow down going up hills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we could get people to stop slowing down on the bridge, that would be great.

I have no idea why traffic doesn't move at speed across the bridge. There isn't a reduction in the number of lanes, so why is this?

+1 DH has a theory about this.. he thinks it's looky loos who look at the river. We can't think of any other reason why people slow down over that bridge. It is truly bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Hogan’s ALB and I-270 HOT lane PPP plan has been approved by the FHA. Finally!

https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2022/08/26/american-legion-bridge-maryland-fhwa.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pedestrian walkway is absolutely needed. It would connect the C&O canal to the Potomac Heritage Trail on the Virginia side.
Anyone who has walked this are knows its long overdue for a pedestrian walkway.
That said, there is no biking on the Virginia of the river. However I think the bike lane would connect to a neighborhood on the Virginia.

If you have never been below the ALB, its well worth hiking in that area. Especially the Virginia side. Very beautiful

A pedestrian walkway on a major interstate highway is nonsense and frankly stupid. Chain Bridge already exists and accomplishes your goal of connecting trails. Cycling is illegal on both the GW and Clara Barton Parkways.

+1 Billion

Are we going to have pedestrian and bike lines on the beltway too?

Since the ALB is part of the Beltway, this is the proposal: a pedestrian walkway on the Beltway!

Doesn’t the Wilson Bridge have this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should have built a tunnel

Under the Potomac River? uh ok You do know that's all solid rock?

How do you think the metro gets from Rosslyn to Foggy Bottom?

Right but that is swampland and easy to burrow. You know that. And it's a short ride. Building a tunnel under the Potomac river in all that rock and for the length of the ALB and beyond? Impossible. and where would it land in VA? There's no room there. Already VDOT is buying up whatever land it needs to widen 495 on the VA side. Also there's massive work going on on the George Washinton Parkway. I can't imagine a tunnel underneath nor can I imagine where it would start and stop

What massive work is going on on the GW Parkway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several studies have shown such a mass transit line would have practically zero ridership.

what study, and the study include the rail connecting to the metro line?

I know several people that work in NoVA and live in Montgomery County. There is just no way someone will drive from Potomac to Derwood, park and get on the Red Line. Get off at Strathmore and get on a different transit system to take them to Tysons and then need to get back on Metro to get to Reston Town Center or wherever. Just walk through the logistics of that. It’s utter nonsense.

? I live in Potomac. The RTC stop is near 270. So, the light rail connection could be at RTC. It would take me like 10min to get to RTC red line from where I live, maybe a bit more for those in south Potomac. But even so, the light could also have a stop at 495/270 intersection, above it. That's how a lot of other cities structure their lightrail.. it's above the freeway.

The light could stop at Tyson's. Then yes, you have to get off and take the metro to Reston. That's how other cities do it, too, like London. I've taken the train from outside of London, into the outer ring of London, then switch to their underground line. It works well, and tons of people do this.

Right now, people drive over the bridge instead of taking metro because the red line goes into DC which is going AWAY from the bridge. That's why it takes so friggin long to use the metro to get to Tysons area. If you have a lightrail above 270/495, it would be faster.

You and the so-called leaders of MoCo have zero vision.

Your point is that you don’t think someone taking 3 different trains on 2 different transit systems is not inconvenient and something that people would gladly do and also that no one else in the world has your “imaginative” vision for spending billions of dollars?

The plan has been approved. Here will be the transportation options for you to get to work in Reston Town Center.
1. Drive all the way and not pay the HOT toll
2. Drive all the way and pay the HOT toll
3. Drive to nearest red line station and park/or take bus, take metro to a stop to be designated (probably Grosvenor or White Flint) and then take a bus that will run along the HOT lane to probably Tysons. Get off bus and take silver line to Reston Town Center.
4. Drive to nearest red line station and park/or take bus, take metro to Metro Center and transfer to Silver Line

Enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several studies have shown such a mass transit line would have practically zero ridership.

what study, and the study include the rail connecting to the metro line?

I know several people that work in NoVA and live in Montgomery County. There is just no way someone will drive from Potomac to Derwood, park and get on the Red Line. Get off at Strathmore and get on a different transit system to take them to Tysons and then need to get back on Metro to get to Reston Town Center or wherever. Just walk through the logistics of that. It’s utter nonsense.

? I live in Potomac. The RTC stop is near 270. So, the light rail connection could be at RTC. It would take me like 10min to get to RTC red line from where I live, maybe a bit more for those in south Potomac. But even so, the light could also have a stop at 495/270 intersection, above it. That's how a lot of other cities structure their lightrail.. it's above the freeway.

The light could stop at Tyson's. Then yes, you have to get off and take the metro to Reston. That's how other cities do it, too, like London. I've taken the train from outside of London, into the outer ring of London, then switch to their underground line. It works well, and tons of people do this.

Right now, people drive over the bridge instead of taking metro because the red line goes into DC which is going AWAY from the bridge. That's why it takes so friggin long to use the metro to get to Tysons area. If you have a lightrail above 270/495, it would be faster.

You and the so-called leaders of MoCo have zero vision.

Your point is that you don’t think someone taking 3 different trains on 2 different transit systems is not inconvenient and something that people would gladly do and also that no one else in the world has your “imaginative” vision for spending billions of dollars?

The plan has been approved. Here will be the transportation options for you to get to work in Reston Town Center.
1. Drive all the way and not pay the HOT toll
2. Drive all the way and pay the HOT toll
3. Drive to nearest red line station and park/or take bus, take metro to a stop to be designated (probably Grosvenor or White Flint) and then take a bus that will run along the HOT lane to probably Tysons. Get off bus and take silver line to Reston Town Center.
4. Drive to nearest red line station and park/or take bus, take metro to Metro Center and transfer to Silver Line

Enjoy.

If you choose not to pay the toll you have fewer lanes to choose from. If you are an hov 2 user you lose. There will be no more shoulder for safety. And the worstwo part is tgey v are only expanding the already widest part. It all ends at 370...the part most in need of expansion get nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should have built a tunnel

Under the Potomac River? uh ok You do know that's all solid rock?

How do you think the metro gets from Rosslyn to Foggy Bottom?

Right but that is swampland and easy to burrow. You know that. And it's a short ride. Building a tunnel under the Potomac river in all that rock and for the length of the ALB and beyond? Impossible. and where would it land in VA? There's no room there. Already VDOT is buying up whatever land it needs to widen 495 on the VA side. Also there's massive work going on on the George Washinton Parkway. I can't imagine a tunnel underneath nor can I imagine where it would start and stop

What massive work is going on on the GW Parkway?

DP. It hasn’t really started yet, but there are plans to rehab basically the whole road from spout run to 123. They are also going to widen it in some places and make the on-ramps longer. It’s going to be a commute nightmare while they’re doing it, but hopefully improve things in the future.

https://wtop.com/local/2022/07/ground-broken-to-rehabilitate-gw-parkway-work-will-impact-commutes/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we could get people to stop slowing down on the bridge, that would be great.

I have no idea why traffic doesn't move at speed across the bridge. There isn't a reduction in the number of lanes, so why is this?

Human psychology. I used to live in Pittsburgh and there was always a backup approaching the tunnels (Squirrel Hill). No good reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Several studies have shown such a mass transit line would have practically zero ridership.

what study, and the study include the rail connecting to the metro line?

I know several people that work in NoVA and live in Montgomery County. There is just no way someone will drive from Potomac to Derwood, park and get on the Red Line. Get off at Strathmore and get on a different transit system to take them to Tysons and then need to get back on Metro to get to Reston Town Center or wherever. Just walk through the logistics of that. It’s utter nonsense.

? I live in Potomac. The RTC stop is near 270. So, the light rail connection could be at RTC. It would take me like 10min to get to RTC red line from where I live, maybe a bit more for those in south Potomac. But even so, the light could also have a stop at 495/270 intersection, above it. That's how a lot of other cities structure their lightrail.. it's above the freeway.

The light could stop at Tyson's. Then yes, you have to get off and take the metro to Reston. That's how other cities do it, too, like London. I've taken the train from outside of London, into the outer ring of London, then switch to their underground line. It works well, and tons of people do this.

Right now, people drive over the bridge instead of taking metro because the red line goes into DC which is going AWAY from the bridge. That's why it takes so friggin long to use the metro to get to Tysons area. If you have a lightrail above 270/495, it would be faster.

You and the so-called leaders of MoCo have zero vision.

Your point is that you don’t think someone taking 3 different trains on 2 different transit systems is not inconvenient and something that people would gladly do and also that no one else in the world has your “imaginative” vision for spending billions of dollars?

The plan has been approved. Here will be the transportation options for you to get to work in Reston Town Center.
1. Drive all the way and not pay the HOT toll
2. Drive all the way and pay the HOT toll
3. Drive to nearest red line station and park/or take bus, take metro to a stop to be designated (probably Grosvenor or White Flint) and then take a bus that will run along the HOT lane to probably Tysons. Get off bus and take silver line to Reston Town Center.
4. Drive to nearest red line station and park/or take bus, take metro to Metro Center and transfer to Silver Line

Enjoy.

If you choose not to pay the toll you have fewer lanes to choose from. If you are an hov 2 user you lose. There will be no more shoulder for safety. And the worstwo part is tgey v are only expanding the already widest part. It all ends at 370...the part most in need of expansion get nothing.

I thought that the bridge would add two HOT lanes and a bike/pedestrian walkway on each side while maintaining the same number of existing lanes. The bigger loss is on 270 they will convert the existing HOV-2 lane to a HOT lane and then they will add a second HOT lane that extends all the way to Frederick. The first phase stops at 370 but the plan will go beyond.

While it is a decent plan, I think there are bad parts to it. Giving the HOV-2 lane away for free doesn’t make sense and there is a decent case that the HOT lanes will move the choke point on the Maryland side of the bridge which will make beltway congestion worse.