I read with interest “Diverse Travel Choices?” as well as the letter to the editor by Jeffrey Parnes, transportation co-chair of the FCFCA — both published in the June 10 edition of Centre View. As a long-time user of I-66, what strikes me is the one-dimensionality of this debate and the considerations presented. This is not just about a “traffic problem” I would argue, but most importantly an issue of quality of life, affordability and fairness. I now regularly travel the new toll road on the Beltway towards the Cabin John bridge, and several things have become abundantly clear: it is expensive to do this on a daily basis and as a result many people stay on the non-toll part of I-495, while the exit from the toll road back onto the final non-toll segment towards the bridge has increased overall congestion, not reduced it …
The proposals for I-66 are most likely going to have similar consequences as the new toll roads can be expected to be prohibitively expensive for thousands of drivers — raising real-life and practical questions of fairness and affordability for thousands of families. Additionally, Mr. Parnes’ argument against a possible (cheaper) light rail addition because of the Rosslyn tunnel congestion seems to defy any logic – he must have been misquoted one would hope – as for many people their destination is not D.C. at all but office locations along the Beltway in Virginia and Maryland. Again, look at this multi-dimensionally: if employers and/or employees would be offered certain benefits (e.g., small tax deductions or lower fares) for frequent use of taking the Metro/light rail train from Haymarket-Gainesville-Manassas-Centreville instead of jumping in the car every day, financing of a rail system may be facilitated, peak-time tolls more affordable, congestion reduced and … many suburban family lives made much happier and of higher quality, thus enhancing real-estate values and the tax base, etc. etc. One should see the virtuous cycle in this argument.
Being originally from Netherlands, I advise that VDOT spend some consulting dollars and invite Dutch and German transportation experts to objectively evaluate the current proposals as they have a wealth of experience over there with very similar public-private transportation/quality of life dilemmas.
Bram Groen
Centreville