Just a reminder that the second and third community outreach meetings on the findings of the Ad Hoc Transportation Task Force will be held Wednesday, October 3 at 7 PM at Minnie Howard School and on Thursday, October 4 at 7 PM at George Washington Middle School.The Growler attended last week's meeting at Lyles-Crouch and was assured that the specific path for BRT in the Route 1 corridor was not yet set. Those of you who attend this week's meetings will probably hear the same disclaimer.
Let the Cranky One point out two facts that render these claims rather disingenuous.
First, the map on page 1-4 of the Task Force draft recommendations not only outlines the three proposed transit corridors but shows the locations of Smart Stations and Smart Shelters. And a Smart Station is indicated for Princess Street between N. Patrick and Henry Streets.
That's a lot of specificity for something that was described by consultants and staff at Lyles-Crouch last week as "not a capital improvement plan but a philosophical policy document."
Second, page 83 of the September 2006 administrative draft of the Braddock Road Metro Small Area Plan clearly shows not only "potential BRT transit improvements" with BRT running down N. Patrick and Henry Streets south of the Braddock Road Metro, it also illustrates the alternatives of BRT with on-street parking and BRT without on-street parking.
So if you live on Route 1, ankle down to one of the meetings this week and let yourself be heard.
Comments on the draft plan can also be emailed to the Transportation Task Force at: transtaskforce@alexandriava.gov
11 comments:
I am a relative newcomer to Parker Gray and this blog. It seems that the idea of a smart station is considered a bad idea by readers of this blog -- can you tell me why? Thanks!
Many houses on N. Patrick and Henry Streets in Parker-Gray are only 9 feet from the roadway. If a SmartStation is installed, homeowners will have people standing literally inches from their doors and windows.
Residents fought for years to get trucks into the middle lanes because their stacks spew exhaust fumes directly into second story bedrooms. Heavy vehicles in the outer lanes also shake and damage the historic houses, which are typically built on a foundation of just a few inches of brick.
Then there is the possibility that BRT will need a dedicated roadway, which would require the removal of on-street parking.
If parking is taken away (1) it will reduce the supply of parking in an already constrained neighborhood, and (2) remove a safety buffer for homeowners as well as pedestrians, since there is a demonstrated record of speeding cars striking unprotected houses (mostly at corners).
All this stems from the City's calamitous decision in the 1950s to let Route 1 run over residential streets.
"remove a safety buffer for homeowners as well as pedestrians, since there is a demonstrated record of speeding cars striking unprotected houses (mostly at corners)."
About 5 years ago a close friend was injured in a horrible accident at Oronoco and Henry. Still has problems from it. She made enough from the settlement to put a down payment on her house (NOT in this area). At that time, there was no stoplight at that intersection.
We have the Route 1 residents to thank for their persistence in getting the City to put up that stoplight. It took a lot of squeaky wheels to get the City to act. For those of you who are new to the area, this local government doesn't look out for residents in PG unless we fight to get their attention.
"local government doesn't look out for residents in PG unless we fight to get their attention."
Got that right! Baier has said he is willing to sell the neighborhood down the toilet to satisfy regional needs.
"Got that right! Baier has said he is willing to sell the neighborhood down the toilet to satisfy regional needs."
Hope you are sending your comments on the BRT proposal to the City, Growler gave us the link in the "BRT Watch" story.
The first thing City will do is use lack of public comment in opposition as an excuse to shovel it all down Rt. 1.
Can anyone comment on how the meetings on Oct. 3-4 went?
"Includes a bus/walking tour of the Braddock Neighborhood."
And where oh where does this tour plan to go?
For anyone interested and for what it's worth, my letter to the Transportation Task Force is below. Please, let's all write to them expressing our views.
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Hi,
I'm writing to discuss Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) down the Route 1 corridor. As a resident on the 500 block of North Patrick St, I am strongly opposed to the proposition of running BRT down Route 1. While I appreciate the effort to bring workers and shoppers into the area, BRT will be very damaging to the residents and businesses of Patrick and Henry Streets.
Presently, high traffic pummels my home... exhaust, vibrations from large trucks, music and noise from cars all beat upon my home everyday. Aside from being wholly unable to live in peace and quiet, the financial tolls of high traffic past my home are great. Dirt, smog, exhaust chemicals, and vibrations rock my home and increase the need for frequent repair... paint, doors, and windows. To add insult to injury, the City requires homes like mine to be in accordance with historical guidelines.... which are VERY expensive. It is unfair to ask us to pay increasing home repair costs, follow pricey historical requirements, and then send BRT through our neighborhood. BRT flies in the face of historical requirements and is contradictory to the heritage of the community.
BRT will significantly increase traffic flow, further invade my privacy, and significantly increase upkeep costs. Please look around... homeowners are increasingly reluctant to live on Route 1. Home sale turnover times lag on Route 1 in comparison with the rest of the area. BRT will certainly increase that reluctance and fly in the face of the entire point of the Braddock Road Metro Small Area Plan... to develop a vibrant community with a sense of space. Fewer home owners equals fewer incentives for businesses to locate to the area. Period.
I love living in Alexandria and chose to accept the higher costs of living associated with an historic area. However, it is citizens like me who bare the brunt of the costs of this City. Please do not continue to alienate me. If not for me, for the future of the historical landscape of the City.
My letter to the Transportation Task Force regarding BRT is below. If it is helpful and you agree, please write your own using the link on this post.
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Hi,
I'm writing to discuss Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) down the Route 1 corridor. As a resident on the 500 block of North Patrick St, I am strongly opposed to the proposition of running BRT down Route 1. While I appreciate the effort to bring workers and shoppers into the area, BRT will be very damaging to the residents and businesses of Patrick and Henry Streets.
Presently, high traffic pummels my home... exhaust, vibrations from large trucks, music and noise from cars all beat upon my home everyday. Aside from being wholly unable to live in peace and quiet, the financial tolls of high traffic past my home are great. Dirt, smog, exhaust chemicals, and vibrations rock my home and increase the need for frequent repair... paint, doors, and windows. To add insult to injury, the City requires homes like mine to be in accordance with historical guidelines.... which are VERY expensive. It is unfair to ask us to pay increasing home repair costs, follow pricey historical requirements, and then send BRT through our neighborhood. BRT flies in the face of historical requirements and is contradictory to the heritage of the community.
BRT will significantly increase traffic flow, further invade my privacy, and significantly increase upkeep costs. Please look around... homeowners are increasingly reluctant to live on Route 1. Home sale turnover times lag on Route 1 in comparison with the rest of the area. BRT will certainly increase that reluctance and fly in the face of the entire point of the Braddock Road Metro Small Area Plan... to develop a vibrant community with a sense of space. Fewer home owners equals fewer incentives for businesses to locate to the area. Period.
I love living in Alexandria and chose to accept the higher costs of living associated with an historic area. However, it is citizens like me who bare the brunt of the costs of this City. Please do not continue to alienate me. If not for me, for the future of the historical landscape of the City.
Way to go Collin!
The arguments put forth to justify BRT along Route 1 make no sense to me. If commuters wanted to take transit to the Pentagon or Crystal City, why not take Metro? There's a Metro stop at Crystal City and one just across the street from the Pentagon at the mall; it doesn't get much more convenient than that.
The other argument seems to be that BRT would help shopping at Potomac Yards and along Mount Vernon Avenue. This also rings hollow to me. There is not that much shopping along Mt. Vernon avenue to motivate people to take a bus and then hike over several blocks to go to a cheese shop or bakery. Besides, if enhancing shopping along Mount Vernon is the big concern then why not run the bus along that street - would be much more convenient for riders.
Then, there's the argument that tourists could use BRT to get to Old Town. Again, why would they do that when they could take the Metro to the King Street station. That station is only a few blocks west of Henry St. If a tourist wants to visit OT, I doubt an extra couple of blocks walking is going make a difference. Now, if they put BRT along the GW parkway, I can see how it might attract tourists or commuters since its location puts it out of easy walking distance of the Huntington, King Street or Braddock stations. However, I've heard no discussion of implementing it along that route. Furthermore, the fact that there are fewer traffic lights along the GW parkway, aside from where becomes Washington St through OT, would speed up the commute for all those people whom I'm sure would abandon their cars for BRT in the blink of an eye. Yeah, right. I wouldn't hold my breathe.
But seriously, has anyone considered starting a petition so that we can present a united front against the proposal to put BRT through our neighborhood?
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