Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
They ARE going to attempt to get the contractor to put in a sidepath that will enable a relatively short added walk to the north mezzanine, and they are going to plan on later adding a South mezzanine, but as a seperate procurement.

If they really do these things...great. But I don't know why the community would believe they would, when city staff (at a minimum - council too according to staff) knew about the change in July of 2017 and yet at no point actually investigated what it would take to build that sidepath. That's been added in the last month in response to the public outcry - no one knows yet whether it's even feasible or what it would cost to do. So forgive me for not giving the city the benefit of the doubt that they will actually achieve it when they have taken zero steps toward doing so thus far.

Is there a citation for staff not bringing the idea of a new sidepath to WMATA's attention and into the procurement process prior to April 2018?

AFAICT they can't speak to the feasibility or the cost because it will be wrapped into the procurement. I would love to know why people think it might not be feasible though.

If you walk the area there are two big retaining ponds there. Also the station bridge needs to gain significant height (like 20 feet) to get over the CsX tracks. Which is hard to do in a small space in an ADA compliant way. I know it wasn’t submitted until this May based on conversations with city staff. It could have been submitted as part of the RFP last July but is seems no one thought to include it back them. So it was added just now and would need to be done as some kind of change order I think. The city hasn’t been very clear about that path.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
They ARE going to attempt to get the contractor to put in a sidepath that will enable a relatively short added walk to the north mezzanine, and they are going to plan on later adding a South mezzanine, but as a seperate procurement.

If they really do these things...great. But I don't know why the community would believe they would, when city staff (at a minimum - council too according to staff) knew about the change in July of 2017 and yet at no point actually investigated what it would take to build that sidepath. That's been added in the last month in response to the public outcry - no one knows yet whether it's even feasible or what it would cost to do. So forgive me for not giving the city the benefit of the doubt that they will actually achieve it when they have taken zero steps toward doing so thus far.

Is there a citation for staff not bringing the idea of a new sidepath to WMATA's attention and into the procurement process prior to April 2018?

AFAICT they can't speak to the feasibility or the cost because it will be wrapped into the procurement. I would love to know why people think it might not be feasible though.

Anonymous wrote:
They ARE going to attempt to get the contractor to put in a sidepath that will enable a relatively short added walk to the north mezzanine, and they are going to plan on later adding a South mezzanine, but as a seperate procurement.

If they really do these things...great. But I don't know why the community would believe they would, when city staff (at a minimum - council too according to staff) knew about the change in July of 2017 and yet at no point actually investigated what it would take to build that sidepath. That's been added in the last month in response to the public outcry - no one knows yet whether it's even feasible or what it would cost to do. So forgive me for not giving the city the benefit of the doubt that they will actually achieve it when they have taken zero steps toward doing so thus far.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And West Street to Commonwealth is basically one long block. Could have been time to get through the signal. Really, this is a city (yes), a backup for one long block by the metro station, at peak of PM rush hour is a cause for the City to revise it's approach? I don't think so. Perhaps you would be happier in Ashburn? Or Omaha?

Huh, you're too slick for me because I sure don't "get" your reference to Ashburn or Omaha.

But since from West to Commonwealth is over 0.6 of a mile, I also don't "get" your reference to one long block. That sure is a long block! I guess we make them different here in Alexandria, don't we! I have a hard time believing that anyone can make that in one light … and I don't necessarily think it would be wise for anyone to try. But why don't you do it? Let me know in advance and I'll arrange for Alexandria PD there to observe your effort! That would help me towards my goal of getting at least one more moron off the streets!

A block for me is defined by cross streets, not distance. And that the backup was likely due to the light was precisely my point. IOW not due to lack of street capacity beyond. I mean if the City can improve the functioning of the intersection, without making it worse for safety, great. But I can't see slowing down development because sometimes drivers need to wait through a light cycle.

My reference was that those are the kinds of places built to have zero delay at intersections. Living in a dense, close in area, with all the advantages it has, comes with some (IMHO) minor tradeoffs.

So … it is clear from your post that you are not familiar AT ALL with our fair city if you don't recognize that it is over half a mile from West to Commonwealth and that there are 8 cross streets between them. I don't understand at all why you are entering into this conversation if you don't even have a vague understanding of the place. It is time for you to go back under your rock and stay there. Good bye.

Sorry I looked at Google maps quickly and misidentified Mt Vernon and Commonwealth. I generally take King Street to Old Town when approaching from the northwest, not Braddock, and where Commonwealth hits the metro line resembles on a map the way Mt Vernon approaches Braddock just west of RR line. Sorry for that confusion.

It still seems to be a small distance that was congested, and quite likely that it cleared up in 10 minutes. And it does not incline me to oppose development in order to protect traffic flow. And I do not think West Alexandria is "under a rock".

You really need to work on comprehension. No one is opposing development, least of all us.

We are opposing the horrible traffic, which has gotten dramatically worse in the past 2 years without any reason other than poor traffic management. The lights are out of synch, there are no police officers in high volume corridors preventing "blocking the box," there are people leaving their cars in HOV lanes left and right with no towing or tickets, etc. King Street needs to go back to 4 lanes at 35 mph and Quaker Lane needs to go back to 35 mph. We need to get all of the additional volume off of roads like Braddock, which people are using to get around the huge blockage on King Street. Duke Street and the area around Rt. 1 is a nightmare.

The horrible traffic and parking issues are hindering development in Alexandria, not helping. And people like you, who can't even tell main thoroughfares apart, somehow think that you represent the voice of Alexandria. Hah! Just when I thought we couldn't get any lower, I get surprised again. No wonder we have problems!

1. Plenty of people in the City oppose new development, and give traffic as a reason.

2. If you have suggestions for improving traffic signals, or locations where blocking the box is a particular problem, you should use call click connect

3. The King street traffic calming is a success, it has reduced collisions, and there has not had a major impact on traffic (King Street traffic still flows well, with backups only at signals where it backed up before.

4. Duke needs to be addressed. Ultimately with a transit lane, I think. Rte 1 is a route into DC from Fairfax, and there is nothing that will stop that from being congested, IMO.

There is NO DATA to support that King Street traffic calming is a success because there were NO PRIOR COLLISIONS!!! It is a figment of your imagination.

Adding a transit lane to Duke Street will not solve the problem because busses are not the issue. The issue starts at Duke and Rt. 1 where drivers cannot turn left because there are cars blocking the box AND there needs to be 2 left turn lanes. Access to the Beltway needs to be widened so that the cars waiting to merge onto the bridge or onto 495 south have some place to sit. There needs to be enforcement so that cars are not merging at the last single second and causing accidents right at the end of the merge route. Moving down the line, the lights are synchronized such that they are not synchronized. There are not any major cross streets, except for Quaker and even for that Duke is a feeder heading West and traffic flow from South to North on Quaker is very light, so that is not an impediment.

The major issue seems to be that people in charge seem to believe that if they make traffic hell then traffic will go away. What they don't realize is that there are citizens, citizens paying a lot more tax than most people, who are getting caught in the crush and we are MAD about it.

Wow I'm with you that the city government is not doing their job but seriously? Screw you. So they should change things because Don't They Know You Are Rich And Mad?

Anyone living in Old Town or Rosemont is paying more tax than most people. Calm down. And, yes, City Hall et al should be aware that there is a contingent who has been quiet and we're waking up.

1. yes, there were collisions on King Street. No pedestrian collisions IIUC, but there were car/car collisions, and that decreased, and traffic flows on King and on other streets were not significantly impacted.

2. Getting more people heading E/W onto transit in a dedicated lane would provide an alternative, as well as move more people with less road.

3. The City weighs all citizens equally, and does not give higher weigth to those who live in more expensive houses

4. I have met people from the signals dept of T&ES, and I guarantee you, they are full believers in the idea of improving "vehicle level of service" and vehicle throughput. Its not a trivially easy thing to do when you have a lot of movements to balance. I am sure with you expertise and experience in traffic engineering, you can give them good advice though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, back to the original question, has there been any announcement of a course-correction regarding the south entrance at Potomac Yards? Has the city council and the mayor made any apologetic statement? Have people contacted them at https://request.alexandriava.gov/CCC/#tab=Index&service=CNC_GROUP

???

Tons of people are contacting them through that call click connect link. But no formal action or really apology yet - it's all platitudes like "this is disappointing for all of us"

Call click connect is not really the forum for a big policy complaint like this. They have stated that they did not know abou the issue till only a couple of months ago, there seems to be some lack of clarity as to when staff informed the Mayor and Council, and even about who on staff knew when.

Not sure what you mean by course correction. They are not going to not buill the station. They are not going to delay the whole thing even further, and put state and federal grants and loans at risk by reopening the procurement process. They ARE going to attempt to get the contractor to put in a sidepath that will enable a relatively short added walk to the north mezzanine, and they are going to plan on later adding a South mezzanine, but as a seperate procurement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, back to the original question, has there been any announcement of a course-correction regarding the south entrance at Potomac Yards? Has the city council and the mayor made any apologetic statement? Have people contacted them at https://request.alexandriava.gov/CCC/#tab=Index&service=CNC_GROUP

???

Tons of people are contacting them through that call click connect link. But no formal action or really apology yet - it's all platitudes like "this is disappointing for all of us"

Exactly. None of them are taking responsibilities for their actions. It is disgusting.

Anonymous wrote:So, back to the original question, has there been any announcement of a course-correction regarding the south entrance at Potomac Yards? Has the city council and the mayor made any apologetic statement? Have people contacted them at https://request.alexandriava.gov/CCC/#tab=Index&service=CNC_GROUP

???

Tons of people are contacting them through that call click connect link. But no formal action or really apology yet - it's all platitudes like "this is disappointing for all of us"

So, back to the original question, has there been any announcement of a course-correction regarding the south entrance at Potomac Yards? Has the city council and the mayor made any apologetic statement? Have people contacted them at https://request.alexandriava.gov/CCC/#tab=Index&service=CNC_GROUP

???

Besides … if we get them to fix the traffic problem they created then it benefits everyone who lives here or even drives through our fair city. Why would you argue with that? A word or two to the wise: don't ever look a gift horse in the mouth or stand by its back end.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And West Street to Commonwealth is basically one long block. Could have been time to get through the signal. Really, this is a city (yes), a backup for one long block by the metro station, at peak of PM rush hour is a cause for the City to revise it's approach? I don't think so. Perhaps you would be happier in Ashburn? Or Omaha?

Huh, you're too slick for me because I sure don't "get" your reference to Ashburn or Omaha.

But since from West to Commonwealth is over 0.6 of a mile, I also don't "get" your reference to one long block. That sure is a long block! I guess we make them different here in Alexandria, don't we! I have a hard time believing that anyone can make that in one light … and I don't necessarily think it would be wise for anyone to try. But why don't you do it? Let me know in advance and I'll arrange for Alexandria PD there to observe your effort! That would help me towards my goal of getting at least one more moron off the streets!

A block for me is defined by cross streets, not distance. And that the backup was likely due to the light was precisely my point. IOW not due to lack of street capacity beyond. I mean if the City can improve the functioning of the intersection, without making it worse for safety, great. But I can't see slowing down development because sometimes drivers need to wait through a light cycle.

My reference was that those are the kinds of places built to have zero delay at intersections. Living in a dense, close in area, with all the advantages it has, comes with some (IMHO) minor tradeoffs.

So … it is clear from your post that you are not familiar AT ALL with our fair city if you don't recognize that it is over half a mile from West to Commonwealth and that there are 8 cross streets between them. I don't understand at all why you are entering into this conversation if you don't even have a vague understanding of the place. It is time for you to go back under your rock and stay there. Good bye.

Sorry I looked at Google maps quickly and misidentified Mt Vernon and Commonwealth. I generally take King Street to Old Town when approaching from the northwest, not Braddock, and where Commonwealth hits the metro line resembles on a map the way Mt Vernon approaches Braddock just west of RR line. Sorry for that confusion.

It still seems to be a small distance that was congested, and quite likely that it cleared up in 10 minutes. And it does not incline me to oppose development in order to protect traffic flow. And I do not think West Alexandria is "under a rock".

You really need to work on comprehension. No one is opposing development, least of all us.

We are opposing the horrible traffic, which has gotten dramatically worse in the past 2 years without any reason other than poor traffic management. The lights are out of synch, there are no police officers in high volume corridors preventing "blocking the box," there are people leaving their cars in HOV lanes left and right with no towing or tickets, etc. King Street needs to go back to 4 lanes at 35 mph and Quaker Lane needs to go back to 35 mph. We need to get all of the additional volume off of roads like Braddock, which people are using to get around the huge blockage on King Street. Duke Street and the area around Rt. 1 is a nightmare.

The horrible traffic and parking issues are hindering development in Alexandria, not helping. And people like you, who can't even tell main thoroughfares apart, somehow think that you represent the voice of Alexandria. Hah! Just when I thought we couldn't get any lower, I get surprised again. No wonder we have problems!

1. Plenty of people in the City oppose new development, and give traffic as a reason.

2. If you have suggestions for improving traffic signals, or locations where blocking the box is a particular problem, you should use call click connect

3. The King street traffic calming is a success, it has reduced collisions, and there has not had a major impact on traffic (King Street traffic still flows well, with backups only at signals where it backed up before.

4. Duke needs to be addressed. Ultimately with a transit lane, I think. Rte 1 is a route into DC from Fairfax, and there is nothing that will stop that from being congested, IMO.

There is NO DATA to support that King Street traffic calming is a success because there were NO PRIOR COLLISIONS!!! It is a figment of your imagination.

Adding a transit lane to Duke Street will not solve the problem because busses are not the issue. The issue starts at Duke and Rt. 1 where drivers cannot turn left because there are cars blocking the box AND there needs to be 2 left turn lanes. Access to the Beltway needs to be widened so that the cars waiting to merge onto the bridge or onto 495 south have some place to sit. There needs to be enforcement so that cars are not merging at the last single second and causing accidents right at the end of the merge route. Moving down the line, the lights are synchronized such that they are not synchronized. There are not any major cross streets, except for Quaker and even for that Duke is a feeder heading West and traffic flow from South to North on Quaker is very light, so that is not an impediment.

The major issue seems to be that people in charge seem to believe that if they make traffic hell then traffic will go away. What they don't realize is that there are citizens, citizens paying a lot more tax than most people, who are getting caught in the crush and we are MAD about it.

Wow I'm with you that the city government is not doing their job but seriously? Screw you. So they should change things because Don't They Know You Are Rich And Mad?

Anyone living in Old Town or Rosemont is paying more tax than most people. Calm down. And, yes, City Hall et al should be aware that there is a contingent who has been quiet and we're waking up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And West Street to Commonwealth is basically one long block. Could have been time to get through the signal. Really, this is a city (yes), a backup for one long block by the metro station, at peak of PM rush hour is a cause for the City to revise it's approach? I don't think so. Perhaps you would be happier in Ashburn? Or Omaha?

Huh, you're too slick for me because I sure don't "get" your reference to Ashburn or Omaha.

But since from West to Commonwealth is over 0.6 of a mile, I also don't "get" your reference to one long block. That sure is a long block! I guess we make them different here in Alexandria, don't we! I have a hard time believing that anyone can make that in one light … and I don't necessarily think it would be wise for anyone to try. But why don't you do it? Let me know in advance and I'll arrange for Alexandria PD there to observe your effort! That would help me towards my goal of getting at least one more moron off the streets!

A block for me is defined by cross streets, not distance. And that the backup was likely due to the light was precisely my point. IOW not due to lack of street capacity beyond. I mean if the City can improve the functioning of the intersection, without making it worse for safety, great. But I can't see slowing down development because sometimes drivers need to wait through a light cycle.

My reference was that those are the kinds of places built to have zero delay at intersections. Living in a dense, close in area, with all the advantages it has, comes with some (IMHO) minor tradeoffs.

So … it is clear from your post that you are not familiar AT ALL with our fair city if you don't recognize that it is over half a mile from West to Commonwealth and that there are 8 cross streets between them. I don't understand at all why you are entering into this conversation if you don't even have a vague understanding of the place. It is time for you to go back under your rock and stay there. Good bye.

Sorry I looked at Google maps quickly and misidentified Mt Vernon and Commonwealth. I generally take King Street to Old Town when approaching from the northwest, not Braddock, and where Commonwealth hits the metro line resembles on a map the way Mt Vernon approaches Braddock just west of RR line. Sorry for that confusion.

It still seems to be a small distance that was congested, and quite likely that it cleared up in 10 minutes. And it does not incline me to oppose development in order to protect traffic flow. And I do not think West Alexandria is "under a rock".

You really need to work on comprehension. No one is opposing development, least of all us.

We are opposing the horrible traffic, which has gotten dramatically worse in the past 2 years without any reason other than poor traffic management. The lights are out of synch, there are no police officers in high volume corridors preventing "blocking the box," there are people leaving their cars in HOV lanes left and right with no towing or tickets, etc. King Street needs to go back to 4 lanes at 35 mph and Quaker Lane needs to go back to 35 mph. We need to get all of the additional volume off of roads like Braddock, which people are using to get around the huge blockage on King Street. Duke Street and the area around Rt. 1 is a nightmare.

The horrible traffic and parking issues are hindering development in Alexandria, not helping. And people like you, who can't even tell main thoroughfares apart, somehow think that you represent the voice of Alexandria. Hah! Just when I thought we couldn't get any lower, I get surprised again. No wonder we have problems!

1. Plenty of people in the City oppose new development, and give traffic as a reason.

2. If you have suggestions for improving traffic signals, or locations where blocking the box is a particular problem, you should use call click connect

3. The King street traffic calming is a success, it has reduced collisions, and there has not had a major impact on traffic (King Street traffic still flows well, with backups only at signals where it backed up before.

4. Duke needs to be addressed. Ultimately with a transit lane, I think. Rte 1 is a route into DC from Fairfax, and there is nothing that will stop that from being congested, IMO.

There is NO DATA to support that King Street traffic calming is a success because there were NO PRIOR COLLISIONS!!! It is a figment of your imagination.

Adding a transit lane to Duke Street will not solve the problem because busses are not the issue. The issue starts at Duke and Rt. 1 where drivers cannot turn left because there are cars blocking the box AND there needs to be 2 left turn lanes. Access to the Beltway needs to be widened so that the cars waiting to merge onto the bridge or onto 495 south have some place to sit. There needs to be enforcement so that cars are not merging at the last single second and causing accidents right at the end of the merge route. Moving down the line, the lights are synchronized such that they are not synchronized. There are not any major cross streets, except for Quaker and even for that Duke is a feeder heading West and traffic flow from South to North on Quaker is very light, so that is not an impediment.

The major issue seems to be that people in charge seem to believe that if they make traffic hell then traffic will go away. What they don't realize is that there are citizens, citizens paying a lot more tax than most people, who are getting caught in the crush and we are MAD about it.

Wow I'm with you that the city government is not doing their job but seriously? Screw you. So they should change things because Don't They Know You Are Rich And Mad?

Anonymous wrote:You need to add CRIME to the list of traffic and parking for reasons why the Braddock Metro Station area isn't developing faster.

+2

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And West Street to Commonwealth is basically one long block. Could have been time to get through the signal. Really, this is a city (yes), a backup for one long block by the metro station, at peak of PM rush hour is a cause for the City to revise it's approach? I don't think so. Perhaps you would be happier in Ashburn? Or Omaha?

Huh, you're too slick for me because I sure don't "get" your reference to Ashburn or Omaha.

But since from West to Commonwealth is over 0.6 of a mile, I also don't "get" your reference to one long block. That sure is a long block! I guess we make them different here in Alexandria, don't we! I have a hard time believing that anyone can make that in one light … and I don't necessarily think it would be wise for anyone to try. But why don't you do it? Let me know in advance and I'll arrange for Alexandria PD there to observe your effort! That would help me towards my goal of getting at least one more moron off the streets!

A block for me is defined by cross streets, not distance. And that the backup was likely due to the light was precisely my point. IOW not due to lack of street capacity beyond. I mean if the City can improve the functioning of the intersection, without making it worse for safety, great. But I can't see slowing down development because sometimes drivers need to wait through a light cycle.

My reference was that those are the kinds of places built to have zero delay at intersections. Living in a dense, close in area, with all the advantages it has, comes with some (IMHO) minor tradeoffs.

So … it is clear from your post that you are not familiar AT ALL with our fair city if you don't recognize that it is over half a mile from West to Commonwealth and that there are 8 cross streets between them. I don't understand at all why you are entering into this conversation if you don't even have a vague understanding of the place. It is time for you to go back under your rock and stay there. Good bye.

Sorry I looked at Google maps quickly and misidentified Mt Vernon and Commonwealth. I generally take King Street to Old Town when approaching from the northwest, not Braddock, and where Commonwealth hits the metro line resembles on a map the way Mt Vernon approaches Braddock just west of RR line. Sorry for that confusion.

It still seems to be a small distance that was congested, and quite likely that it cleared up in 10 minutes. And it does not incline me to oppose development in order to protect traffic flow. And I do not think West Alexandria is "under a rock".

You really need to work on comprehension. No one is opposing development, least of all us.

We are opposing the horrible traffic, which has gotten dramatically worse in the past 2 years without any reason other than poor traffic management. The lights are out of synch, there are no police officers in high volume corridors preventing "blocking the box," there are people leaving their cars in HOV lanes left and right with no towing or tickets, etc. King Street needs to go back to 4 lanes at 35 mph and Quaker Lane needs to go back to 35 mph. We need to get all of the additional volume off of roads like Braddock, which people are using to get around the huge blockage on King Street. Duke Street and the area around Rt. 1 is a nightmare.

The horrible traffic and parking issues are hindering development in Alexandria, not helping. And people like you, who can't even tell main thoroughfares apart, somehow think that you represent the voice of Alexandria. Hah! Just when I thought we couldn't get any lower, I get surprised again. No wonder we have problems!

1. Plenty of people in the City oppose new development, and give traffic as a reason.

2. If you have suggestions for improving traffic signals, or locations where blocking the box is a particular problem, you should use call click connect

3. The King street traffic calming is a success, it has reduced collisions, and there has not had a major impact on traffic (King Street traffic still flows well, with backups only at signals where it backed up before.

4. Duke needs to be addressed. Ultimately with a transit lane, I think. Rte 1 is a route into DC from Fairfax, and there is nothing that will stop that from being congested, IMO.

There is NO DATA to support that King Street traffic calming is a success because there were NO PRIOR COLLISIONS!!! It is a figment of your imagination.

Adding a transit lane to Duke Street will not solve the problem because busses are not the issue. The issue starts at Duke and Rt. 1 where drivers cannot turn left because there are cars blocking the box AND there needs to be 2 left turn lanes. Access to the Beltway needs to be widened so that the cars waiting to merge onto the bridge or onto 495 south have some place to sit. There needs to be enforcement so that cars are not merging at the last single second and causing accidents right at the end of the merge route. Moving down the line, the lights are synchronized such that they are not synchronized. There are not any major cross streets, except for Quaker and even for that Duke is a feeder heading West and traffic flow from South to North on Quaker is very light, so that is not an impediment.

The major issue seems to be that people in charge seem to believe that if they make traffic hell then traffic will go away. What they don't realize is that there are citizens, citizens paying a lot more tax than most people, who are getting caught in the crush and we are MAD about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Alexandria Chamber “outraged” at Potomac Yard Metro changes

https://alextimes.com/2018/05/potomacyardmetro/

Good. They should be outraged. The City seems to have known about this in advance and kept quiet due to some confidentiality agreement relating to the construction that isn’t happening. Well, if there’s an agreement to breach, that’s the one. This is a signal moment for Alexandria. Wilson and Silberberg look kinda the same today.

+1

OP here.
+2

+3. The way the city went about this completely behind closed doors FOR A YEAR is so messed up.

+4 and 5. It is the same old way of operating. I would not be surprised if there is cash changing hands. All of them need to be out: the Mayor, City Council and the whole City staff. We need to clean house. As if the sewage thing wasn't outrageous enough (and heading into summer we're about to be reminded about it on a daily basis with the stench) but now with the Potomac Yard Metro thing … no one could be that grossly incompetent. Could they? I think the Council members are so happy to have their Council jobs and their side businesses that feed off of their Council work that they have forgotten what they are supposed to do as Council members.

You do realize the stench actually comes from the blue plains sewage treatment facility across the river?

Actually, no, in that area it doesn't. By the waterfront, certainly, but in that area it can be followed almost directly to our lovely plant. If you don't believe me, test it out and see. When the stench is in bloom, go to parts of Russell and then also over by Alfred Street. Follow your nose. You'll find that I'm right!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And West Street to Commonwealth is basically one long block. Could have been time to get through the signal. Really, this is a city (yes), a backup for one long block by the metro station, at peak of PM rush hour is a cause for the City to revise it's approach? I don't think so. Perhaps you would be happier in Ashburn? Or Omaha?

Huh, you're too slick for me because I sure don't "get" your reference to Ashburn or Omaha.

But since from West to Commonwealth is over 0.6 of a mile, I also don't "get" your reference to one long block. That sure is a long block! I guess we make them different here in Alexandria, don't we! I have a hard time believing that anyone can make that in one light … and I don't necessarily think it would be wise for anyone to try. But why don't you do it? Let me know in advance and I'll arrange for Alexandria PD there to observe your effort! That would help me towards my goal of getting at least one more moron off the streets!

A block for me is defined by cross streets, not distance. And that the backup was likely due to the light was precisely my point. IOW not due to lack of street capacity beyond. I mean if the City can improve the functioning of the intersection, without making it worse for safety, great. But I can't see slowing down development because sometimes drivers need to wait through a light cycle.

My reference was that those are the kinds of places built to have zero delay at intersections. Living in a dense, close in area, with all the advantages it has, comes with some (IMHO) minor tradeoffs.

So … it is clear from your post that you are not familiar AT ALL with our fair city if you don't recognize that it is over half a mile from West to Commonwealth and that there are 8 cross streets between them. I don't understand at all why you are entering into this conversation if you don't even have a vague understanding of the place. It is time for you to go back under your rock and stay there. Good bye.

Sorry I looked at Google maps quickly and misidentified Mt Vernon and Commonwealth. I generally take King Street to Old Town when approaching from the northwest, not Braddock, and where Commonwealth hits the metro line resembles on a map the way Mt Vernon approaches Braddock just west of RR line. Sorry for that confusion.

It still seems to be a small distance that was congested, and quite likely that it cleared up in 10 minutes. And it does not incline me to oppose development in order to protect traffic flow. And I do not think West Alexandria is "under a rock".

You really need to work on comprehension. No one is opposing development, least of all us.

We are opposing the horrible traffic, which has gotten dramatically worse in the past 2 years without any reason other than poor traffic management. The lights are out of synch, there are no police officers in high volume corridors preventing "blocking the box," there are people leaving their cars in HOV lanes left and right with no towing or tickets, etc. King Street needs to go back to 4 lanes at 35 mph and Quaker Lane needs to go back to 35 mph. We need to get all of the additional volume off of roads like Braddock, which people are using to get around the huge blockage on King Street. Duke Street and the area around Rt. 1 is a nightmare.

The horrible traffic and parking issues are hindering development in Alexandria, not helping. And people like you, who can't even tell main thoroughfares apart, somehow think that you represent the voice of Alexandria. Hah! Just when I thought we couldn't get any lower, I get surprised again. No wonder we have problems!

NP - PP, if you know anyone in the Central Alexandria neighborhoods (Taylor Runn, Clover/College Park or Taylor Run), you should reach out to them. They did a candidate questionnaire to ask about every candidates view on traffic and got responses earlier this week. They also have a campaign going with yard signs. I will see if I can find the email address where you can contact me about it.

PP here - the address that where the questionairre came from is contact.ccpca.board@gmail.com. I think they have the yard signs too.

THANK YOU! We will contact them so we can add our perspective. We are long-term residents of the City and strong supporters of it. We have invested heavily here and we have some concerns. The City has a lot going for it but currently we are seeing more problems being created than solutions generated. We're very quiet and don't like a lot of attention but we may have to begin stepping out of our comfort zone and into a new mode.