🚀 go-pugleaf

Bentley wrote:
> 
> On Sun, 19 Dec 1999 20:23:37 -0800, Dave Simpson
> <dave.l.simpsonNOdaSPAM@lmco.com.invalid> wrote:
> 
> >> Most people think for a second and say "Ah. 50 squared. 2,500."
> >
> >  I can't believe people would routinely say it's the square.
> 
> Try it yourself. I was surprised as well.
> 
> >> [...] But as soon as the lands
> >> around that new crossing filled up,
> >
> >  THEY'RE ALREADY FILLED UP.  Both Klaatu and I have mentioned
> >a crossing where it's most needed, which is where it would serve
> >the most people, and that is where there already is development.
> 
> Western Montgomery county is hardly "filled up." Most of it is farm
> fields...

Um. I guess you haven't been out near Poolesville recently. Try driving
from, say, Damascus to Rockville via the direct route in the morning rush
hour. 

Also, try Travilah Road, or try River Road, etc etc. Try Quince Orchard Road
sometime. Sheesh.

> 
> BTW I am not arguing against the new crossing -- quite the contrary.
> What I fear, however, is that our track record in this region is far
> from stellar when it comes to public support for even the most benign
> new roads. Hell, if the ICC isn't a good enough example, what about
> the Barney Circle Extension? ZERO homes, ZERO businesses, 90% federal
> funding, and it fills a hole in the DC freeway system (access to NB
> DC295 from 395, and vice versa) that has been a sore spot for 30
> years. And it was VIGOROUSLY protested; not 30 years ago during the
> height of activism, but five years ago. Even the Wilson Bridge, an
> existing arterial, has thus far met with howls of protest. Do we
> really believe that in such a climate a new crossing, as you and
> Klatuu describe, has a ghost of a chance?

Ahem, "klaatu". Basically it has to be done. As far as MD NIMBYs are
concerned, it shifts transshipment -- to points west -- to Leesburg and this
also provides something of a "Western Bypass" which allows heavy traffic
from Baltimore to Frederick to Leesburg without having to cross at
Point-of-Rocks or near Harper's Ferry. Virginia doesn't allow NIMBYs near
Dulles, and the Commonwealth is dead set on milking as much money out of
anything as is can and I don't blame 'em. Even if one simply widens existing
roads, the bridge has to be built and it has to be built right about where I
placed it, since there are State and Federal properties right there and not
much private property to be relocated.

> --------
> Bentley - Alexandria VA

-- 
                    "We look through a glass but darkly:
                 What we see is more colored by our beliefs, 
               than what we believe is colored by what we see."