Actually, Rock Creek Parkway shoukd have automatic rolling equipment. It might reduce traffic to manageable levels and provide a dedicated funding stream to the Park Service. Think about what the reversible lane changes cost in Park Police time and manpower each weekday. That’s a complete subsidy to commuters to manage a through-way, meaning fewer dollars go to Park maintenance and restoration. Instead, shouldn’t commuters directly offset more of those costs?

Anonymous wrote:I want DC to tax/toll every single out of state plate driving on DC roads. It’s ridiculous we don’t and the technology exists to do it. I also don’t think that will ever happen.

DC gets millions of dollars each year in formula funding from the federal government for the upkeep of its roads and bridges. In other words, taxpayers across the country help pay for DC roads -- just as they help pay for public roads in all fifty states. You want to toll cars with out-of-state license plates driving on DC roads? You'll have to give up federal funding and hope that the tolls alone will pay for maintenance, upkeep and expansion projects. You'll never come close.

So, it's not ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:Which of the Maryland or Virginia senators will not block this in Congress? <crickets>

And even if DC were ever to do it, they wouldn't do 295 because of wards 7 & 8. They'd do the 14th Street Bridge & the TR bridge.

Not in a million years. The feds wouldn't allow it. The DC business community is probably smart enough to oppose it, too. DC is extremely reliant upon VA businesses and VA residents. Throwing up a barrier like that would only hurt DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They could make so much money if they privatized DC 295 and made it a toll road.

1. The costs associated with maintaining the roadway (currently covered by private funding) would necessitate exorbitant tolls. The road would never pay for itself or turn a profit for the private owner

2. Shunpiking (people avoiding a tolled DC 295) would create a mess on streets like Minnesota Ave and add more traffic to the MD side of the Beltway

3. Bad political optics for putting a toll road through one of the poorest parts of the city

"currently covered by public funding" -- regret the typo.

Anonymous wrote:They could make so much money if they privatized DC 295 and made it a toll road.

1. The costs associated with maintaining the roadway (currently covered by private funding) would necessitate exorbitant tolls. The road would never pay for itself or turn a profit for the private owner

2. Shunpiking (people avoiding a tolled DC 295) would create a mess on streets like Minnesota Ave and add more traffic to the MD side of the Beltway

3. Bad political optics for putting a toll road through one of the poorest parts of the city

Statehood would be your friend, OP.

They do it with speed cameras.

Which of the Maryland or Virginia senators will not block this in Congress? <crickets>

And even if DC were ever to do it, they wouldn't do 295 because of wards 7 & 8. They'd do the 14th Street Bridge & the TR bridge.

I want DC to tax/toll every single out of state plate driving on DC roads. It’s ridiculous we don’t and the technology exists to do it. I also don’t think that will ever happen.

Anonymous wrote:You want to put a toll road through Wards 7 and 8?

DC could subsidize the tolls for those residents with the money it collects from tolls. They will probably need a few billion in grants from the Feds to get started though.

You want to put a toll road through Wards 7 and 8?

Anonymous wrote:Just so there are tolls on the bridges and roads to MD and VA, too.

Better to encourage residents of DC to stay IN DC.

Exactly. Enjoy your enclave.

Because Congress

Just so there are tolls on the bridges and roads to MD and VA, too.

Better to encourage residents of DC to stay IN DC.

They could make so much money if they privatized DC 295 and made it a toll road.