Are any significant improvements scheduled for Route 29 or I-66? No. But residential developments are approved as if they would have no impact on the transportation infrastructure.
We've got many lawyers in this region. The interstate highways were built mostly with federal money. I wonder if the Fairfax Board of Supervisors can be sued for destruction of federal property?
Metro Rider No More
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Since you're curious about Arlington commuters on Metro, I'll share. I was a frequent Metro user, picking up a Metrobus in front of my apartment and then taking a single Orange Line train to Federal Triangle, from where I could walk easily through the Reagan Building to my office in the Department of Commerce.
It's got to be one of the easiest commutes in the metropolitan area . . . on paper.
The trains were usually standing room only when I got on at East Falls Church, and over two years, it just got worse and worse.
Not to mention that Metro loves running four-car trains during rush hour.
And the delays. Always the delays: Fire. Sick passenger. Backup. Whatever. Gilda Radner said, "It's always something." So true of Metro and its delays.
Anyway, on good days, from door to door, the commute would take about 45 minutes.
What is it by driving time? Twenty minutes. And I have my car nearby, so I can leave and return whenever I want. I like to stay later at work and hit the gym; well, do that with Metro and try getting home in a reasonable time after rush hour. It was never reasonable, and it was never an hour.
My attitude at work is much better, and I arrive way ahead of Metro.
Every month I do write a relatively hefty check -- money out of my pocket, not the government's, by the way -- to the Reagan Building for parking. I do it gladly, and with a flourish, knowing that the other option really isn't an option, even though it looks good on a map.
Mike Walker
Arlington
