If You Could Do One Thing . . .

D ear Dr. Gridlock:

Many readers (including me) have lamented in this column the lack of interest by the Anthony A. Williams administration in bettering the traffic and parking problems that plague the District. Now that a new mayor is taking office, why don't you ask your readers what one thing they would like to see Adrian Fenty do to help our traffic problems?

I'd vote for strict -- or any -- enforcement of cars illegally parked in bus or turn lanes. I live in North Dupont, and I see traffic regularly backed up because of a single parked car blocking the right-turn lane at 18th and U streets NW.

Todd Shears

District

Let's expand the question. As we start the new year, what should be the transportation priorities for the District, Maryland and Virginia?

New administrations are taking over in the District and Maryland, where Martin O'Malley will be sworn in as governor Jan. 17. Transportation issues did not loom large in the mayor's or the governor's elections. That leaves Fenty and O'Malley lots of maneuvering room.

O'Malley could even wiggle out of his campaign-season support for the intercounty connector if he discovered, let's say, that the federal study now under court challenge fails to properly assess environmental concerns.

In Virginia, traffic and transit concerns are at the center of the agenda this year and could play a decisive role in November's legislative elections.

On Thursday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine told a receptive audience of Northern Virginia business and civic leaders about his three goals: Make the state transportation department more efficient and accountable, raise revenue by increasing taxes directly related to travel and further link the planning for development and new transportation services.