Street Sense in Arlington

FOR THE RESIDENTS of Arlington County, the Virginia Department of Transportation can be exasperating, because its priorities are tailored largely to rural and suburban areas that comprise the majority of the state. The department is easily overwhelmed by the complex public transportation, pedestrian-friendly features and constant road maintenance required in the urban pockets of Arlington and Fairfax counties.

As it discusses a proposed streetcar system that would connect the Pentagon in Arlington to the Landmark area in Fairfax via Columbia Pike, one of Arlington's major thoroughfares, Arlington County has asked to take ownership of the pike, which currently belongs to VDOT. The request is meant to expedite the process of improving car and public transportation routes along Columbia Pike. VDOT should approve it.

A number of Arlington's recent projects along the highway have been unnecessarily drawn out. In one instance, it took VDOT four years to approve the addition of a crosswalk. The county requested a few new bus shelters in 2003, and riders are still waiting. If such simple changes can take so long to implement, imagine the headache required to lay down the necessary infrastructure for a streetcar.

Streetcars should be welcomed along the pike because they hold substantially more passengers than buses and do not produce exhaust fumes. They would help make the area cleaner and more attractive to pedestrians. But whether or not the streetcar project is implemented, granting Arlington ownership of the pike is an important step. There is no doubt that the county is up for the challenge. Though it will receive some funding from the state as it takes full responsibility, it will still be required to contribute additional county funds to cover Columbia Pike's upkeep -- estimated at $180,000 to $450,000 annually. It is likely that the additional tax revenue generated from business owners who would benefit from increased consumer activity along the pike will cover that expense.