323 replies to this topic

[tombarnes]

Why is it that people don't want to fund rail projects?  The interstate highway system would never have been built if we had agonized over its funding the way we do about rail projects.  Airports?  Never seeems to be a problem here.  More highways?  Always in the budget.  Until there is a sea change in the way people think about rail, I suppose nothing will ever be built.  The benefits of rapid rail in densely populated areas should be enough to easily convince the public that we as a country need these projects to go forward- and quickly.  If allowed to think of these as optional, the public will lazily continue to ignore them.

[skylinefan]

tombarnes, on Dec 16 2005, 09:59 AM, said:

Why is it that people don't want to fund rail projects?  The interstate highway system would never have been built if we had agonized over its funding the way we do about rail projects.  Airports?  Never seeems to be a problem here.  More highways?  Always in the budget.  Until there is a sea change in the way people think about rail, I suppose nothing will ever be built.  The benefits of rapid rail in densely populated areas should be enough to easily convince the public that we as a country need these projects to go forward- and quickly.  If allowed to think of these as optional, the public will lazily continue to ignore them.

I believe that we should fund rail projects and other innovative transportation schemes.  The current political environment will not allow for massive projects like this.  There is an anti-tax mentality in congress and in the administration that has stifled funding of new technologies and new ways of getting around.  If we still had the attitude of the 1950's and 60's we would be moving full steam ahead on new ways to get from point A to point B.  If this is what Americans really want we have to be ready to sacrifice for it.  Get ready to pull out the checkbook because maglev, highspeed rail, or any other transportation scheme will be really expensive.

[tombarnes]

The Washingtoin Metropolitan Airports Authority wants to take over the Dulles Toll Road and use the funding to build the Metro rail line to Dulles.  WHile the project is scheduled to be completed by 2015, the authority thinks they can get it done faster.  I'm all for having it done as quickly as possible.  I am sick and tireds of paying riddiculous taxi fares to Dulles.  Thoughts anyone?  

Note: This might well have gone into one of the Northern Virginia threads, but it affects the DC metropolitan area, so I placed it in this thread.  

From the Washington Post:

   http://www.washingto...5122000935.html

Edited by tombarnes, 20 December 2005 - 08:49 PM.

[urbanvb]

I am merging this thread to the DC/Baltimore Transportation thread since it deals with DC transporation. In the event we get more reponse from Baltimore, I can easily seperate the two.

[tombarnes]

I suppose what I'd really like to see is a rapid train from Union Station to Dulles- something like the Gatwick Express.  I suppose we shall never see this, but isn't it worth exploring?  The maglev project should include Dulles if it ever gets off the ground, so to speak.  I'm not holding my breath.

Edited by tombarnes, 20 December 2005 - 09:05 PM.

[urbanvb]

tombarnes, on Dec 20 2005, 09:51 PM, said:

I suppose what I'd really like to see is a rapid train from Union Station to Dulles- something like the Gatwick Express.  I suppose we shall never see this, but isn't it worth exploring?  The maglev project should include Dules if it ever gets off the ground, so to speak.  I'm not holding my breath.

Correct me if I am wrong and I could be but isn't this stretch or least part of this new corridor supposed to be high speed ?

[tombarnes]

All that I have heard serious talk about is an extension of the exisiting Metro system above ground to Tysons Corner, Reston and eventually Dulles.  If you have evidence of something more, please let me know.  That would be fantastic!

Edited by tombarnes, 20 December 2005 - 09:09 PM.

[urbanvb]

tombarnes, on Dec 20 2005, 10:07 PM, said:

All that I have heard serious talk about is an extension of the exisiting Metro system above ground to Tysons Corner, Reston and eventually Dulles.  If you have evidence of something more, please let me know.  That would be fantastic!

Ok, let me check on that. I may be wrong but it seems like I read that somewhere.

[urbanvb]

D.C. Prods Md., Va. to Join in Funding Metro
City's $50 Million Boost Wouldn't Raise Sales Tax

Quote

The D.C. Council announced unanimous support yesterday for a plan to dedicate about $50 million a year to Metro, putting pressure on Maryland and Virginia to follow suit. A regional agreement that would create a steady flow of local money to Metro is key to securing federal funds to help fix the aging transit system. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) has introduced legislation that calls for Congress to give Metro $1.5 billion for capital projects only if the region comes up with dedicated operating funds for Metro.

Washington Post Story

[wrldcoupe4]

HOT plan would improve I-95 between Spotsylvania, N.Va.

Quote

The Virginia Department of Transportation thinks it can make an almost $1 billion deal to speed Interstate 95 traffic between Spotsylvania County and Northern Virginia.

But to travel that distance, many drivers would be paying tolls that could reach $8.40, and tolls could remain on the road for as long as 60 years.

VDOT has decided to start negotiating with the Fluor-Transurban team to finance, design and build 56 miles of high-occupancy toll lanes (HOT) from the Potomac to Massaponax.......

I don't think NOVA will ever get rid of the traffic woes... the more lanes, the more traffic. I guarantee.

[urbanvb]

Yeah, I don't know what the answer to their traffic woes is. Like you say build more roads but that just promotes more sprawl.

[skylinefan]

It will take a myriad of changes to adequately correct traffic problems in Northern Virginia.  I believe metro will need expansion along with improvements to the Virginia Railway Express to serve more communities.  Like I said earlier there is no political will in Richmond to pay for such extensive transportation infrastructure.  If we want all of these wonderful things to occur we have to be ready to pay extra (TAXES!) to make it a reality.  I beleive we need to dump this anti-tax hysteria that has taken over in Richmond and in Washington.

[wrldcoupe4]

I think VDOT pawning off projects to private companies is due to the state's unwillingness to consider a tax increase.

$8.40 in tolls? Whew!

[urbanvb]

There has been a lot of transportation news lately and here is another:

Airports Authority Might Adopt Dulles Rail Project

Quote

The authority that controls Dulles International Airport made a move yesterday to take over the state-run Dulles Toll Road and seize control of construction of a rail line to the airport, hoping to ensure that the troubled project moves forward.

article

[urbanvb]

Proposal Likely to Speed Up Dulles Rail
Tolls Would Fund Va. Share of Cost

Quote

The proposal by the Washington airports authority to take over the effort to build a rail line to Dulles is likely to speed decision making on a project that has advanced slowly because of concerns about its cost and practicality.

article

[urbanvb]

Connolly Promotes Dense Development Near Transit Hubs
Approach Called Key to Easing Congestion

Quote

As high-density redevelopment roils homeowner politics in Fairfax County, Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly told local business leaders recently that it is the county's best hope for stalling traffic congestion.

The buzzword among planners is "transit-oriented development," which generally means a mix of apartment or condominium towers, townhouses, offices and stores near subway stations.

article

[urbanvb]

A New Emphasis on Rail to Dulles
Authority Sees Bid to Take On Project as Key to Airport's Future

Quote

The effort by the Washington airports authority to speed construction of a rail line across Northern Virginia is a reminder to the region that the railroad's planners intended the train to serve air travelers as well as commuters.

As the project progressed slowly in recent years and struggled to gain financial support, much of the debate on its value has focused on how useful it would be to suburban workers. The current financing plan would extend rail only through Tysons Corner in Fairfax County.

Morning commuters in the Court House Station board a train on Metro's Orange Line, which planners hope to extend west 23 miles from West Falls Church to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County.

But last week, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said it wants to take over the rail program from the Virginia government. That fixed new attention on the theory that a Metro station at Dulles International Airport could help keep the airport growing at a time when more people want to use the airport but find it harder and harder to deal with the traffic to get there.

article

I would think rail would be essential out to Dulles at least at some point given the traffic problems the area is facing.

Edited by guynvb, 29 December 2005 - 12:21 AM.

[urbanvb]

Progress Has Passed Metrobus By
Outdated System Is Plagued by Unreliable Schedules, Inefficient Routes

Quote

As shifting housing patterns, job growth and an influx of residents have transformed metropolitan Washington over the past three decades, Metrobus has done little to adapt, remaining essentially the same system since opening in 1973. The nation's fifth-largest bus system still follows the basic contours of the D.C. streetcar lines of the 1950s.

article

[urbanvb]

Planned ICC tolls too high, foes say
Proposed highway could cost drivers up to $1,500 a year

Quote

A proposed east-west highway through the Washington suburbs would cost up to $1,500 a year in tolls for a daily rush-hour commuter, making the road too costly for many middle-income Marylanders to use, opponents of the project said yesterday.

Foes of the planned Intercounty Connector, the Ehrlich administration's top transportation priority, said the 18-mile road connecting Interstates 270 and 95 is a bad deal for taxpayers.

article

[VAGATOR]

I'm glad Washington airports authority and Dulles is spearheading effort to get rail out to Dulles. If we relied on the Government to build it, we all could be dead before we see a single train out there.