To the Editor:
In Mr. Durham’s letter about bikes in Alexandria, he wrote that “projected traffic (in the Eisenhower Avenue at Mill Road area) will return to unacceptable levels of congestion in less than 7 years after the project is completed” without “more effective transit-oriented measures.”
This is correct. But he conveniently neglects to explain why the Mill Road road-widening took place. The city of Alexandria granted developers the right to put large high density commercial and residential buildings nearby. Development means more people and more vehicles using this and all roads.
Forcing people to ride buses or bikes is not the answer. The answer is the city assuring that needed road capacity increases are paid for by the developer, not the city resident.
Another example is the replacement of warehouse buildings at the corner of Van Dorn and S. Pickett by several residential buildings. The new residents will bring their cars and thereby increase the number of vehicles on the roads. This type of development is happening throughout the city. More people mean more cars.
The city approved this dramatic increase in density with no improvements to the already over-loaded Van Dorn corridor. Does the 99 percent have to pay for the city’s mistake?
Why is Mr. Durham so relentless in his pursuit of alternative transportation? Could it be because most people, if given a choice, would opt for a car or bus rather than a bike or walking? Does he want to punish those that deviate from what he thinks they should do?
Would he recommend bike-riding when the weather is in the teens or 90s?
Still rooting for the 99 percent,
Linda Greenberg, Alexandria