PP is wrong - they haven't decided on whether Beach Drive will stay closed or not. The National Park Service is going to be doing a survey soon about it. CT Ave reversible lanes are gone, but I think the right-most traffic lanes is back during commuting hours. I thought they were planning bike lanes, but not 100% sure it's been finally decided. I think there will be a lot more work from home than pre-COVID (maybe 2-3 days a week for many employers), so I'm hoping traffic will be no worse than before the pandemic even with losing some lanes. But schools will still be in session, so that will affect morning commutes for some.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

This is why there is no way that they can continue to keep Beach Drive closed, keep the Jersey barriers block traffic lanes on several main arterials and not re-implement the reversible lanes.

What do you mean, there's no way? Of course there's a way. All they have to do is not change what's there right now.

Anyway, Beach Drive is open, just not for people who want to drive cars on it.

Sure. They could just keep things as is. What you do you think will happen once traffic is 100% back to pre-pandemic levels if the current measures remain in place? Are there any other interests or considerations that the city government would want to take into account?

I think that people will make different transportation choices. What do you think will happen?

I am asking you what you think direct and anticipated results of your proposal would be. You say that people would make different choices. That's good. Any other consequences?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

This is why there is no way that they can continue to keep Beach Drive closed, keep the Jersey barriers block traffic lanes on several main arterials and not re-implement the reversible lanes.

What do you mean, there's no way? Of course there's a way. All they have to do is not change what's there right now.

Anyway, Beach Drive is open, just not for people who want to drive cars on it.

Sure. They could just keep things as is. What you do you think will happen once traffic is 100% back to pre-pandemic levels if the current measures remain in place? Are there any other interests or considerations that the city government would want to take into account?

I think that people will make different transportation choices. What do you think will happen?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

This is why there is no way that they can continue to keep Beach Drive closed, keep the Jersey barriers block traffic lanes on several main arterials and not re-implement the reversible lanes.

What do you mean, there's no way? Of course there's a way. All they have to do is not change what's there right now.

Anyway, Beach Drive is open, just not for people who want to drive cars on it.

Actually, it is open to people who want to drive cars on it. Just not fully through it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

This is why there is no way that they can continue to keep Beach Drive closed, keep the Jersey barriers block traffic lanes on several main arterials and not re-implement the reversible lanes.

What do you mean, there's no way? Of course there's a way. All they have to do is not change what's there right now.

Anyway, Beach Drive is open, just not for people who want to drive cars on it.

Sure. They could just keep things as is. What you do you think will happen once traffic is 100% back to pre-pandemic levels if the current measures remain in place? Are there any other interests or considerations that the city government would want to take into account?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

This is why there is no way that they can continue to keep Beach Drive closed, keep the Jersey barriers block traffic lanes on several main arterials and not re-implement the reversible lanes.

What do you mean, there's no way? Of course there's a way. All they have to do is not change what's there right now.

Anyway, Beach Drive is open, just not for people who want to drive cars on it.

No way?

How is it Amsterdam and Paris can completely reverse auto-dependency? It is political leadership and choices.

DC leadership is choosing people over cars.

I applaud them for it.

Anonymous wrote:I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

This is why there is no way that they can continue to keep Beach Drive closed, keep the Jersey barriers block traffic lanes on several main arterials and not re-implement the reversible lanes.

I can't speak for any other routes, but for the last few years I've "commuted" crosstown during the evening rush via 295/695/Rock Creek Parkway and 295/695/66 to host trivia in various bars in NW and NOVA. During the pandemic I continued to utilize those routes for various reasons despite trivia obviously not being a thing.

I can tell you that right now we're back to at least 70% of pre-pandemic traffic on those routes. We might get some lasting relief, but it'll be a minor improvement at best.

I'm wondering if this has to do with the demographics of the companies that choose to continue telework - perhaps the ones more likely to let their employees work from home are the newer, hipper, more tech-oriented companies that already attracted the kind of young, socially active, environmentally conscious employees who already eschewed cars in favor of Metro, bikes, and walking to work while the stodgy old companies that are forcing their employees back are by and large the ones where the car-obsessed suburban dwellers worked.

Anonymous wrote:I think we will reach a new normal. Many office workers will have the choice to telework 2-3 days per week or more.

Connecticut Avenue is not going to revert back. The reversible lanes are permanently gone. The only question at this point is if there will be bike lanes or not.

And Beach Drive will remain as it currently is. there is no reason for a national park to be opened to polluting cars for single occupancy access during rush hour. All of the parking areas there are open as they always are, so if anyone wants to visit, they can via the south. They just cannot drive through it.

I sincerely hope so. It will make it a lot simpler and more convenient to get around.

Correct. New normal with remote work.

I think we will reach a new normal. Many office workers will have the choice to telework 2-3 days per week or more.

Connecticut Avenue is not going to revert back. The reversible lanes are permanently gone. The only question at this point is if there will be bike lanes or not.

And Beach Drive will remain as it currently is. there is no reason for a national park to be opened to polluting cars for single occupancy access during rush hour. All of the parking areas there are open as they always are, so if anyone wants to visit, they can via the south. They just cannot drive through it.

Even a 20% increase in telework uptake would have an even bigger impact on congestion. Congestion is not really linear. I think there will be a greater than 20% increase in telework or staggering of schedules.

Don’t fret. Once September comes, all of this stuff will revert to normal. The Jersey barriers will be removed and roads like beach drive will reopen.

I'm starting to go back into the office from MD to downtown DC. Right now, it's busy but nowhere near the volume of pre-pandemic times. I'm dreading the fall, when my firm will reopen our offices fully as will many others. Will Beach Drive reopen? What about Conn Ave - right now it's 2 lanes in either direction all the time, whereas they used to ban parking and split the lanes to accommodate greater rush hour traffic patterns?