With the recent decision to leave Beach Drive open even during non-rush hour traffic, a debate rages on. Eric Gilliland of WABA wrote:
In the hopes of finding common ground, a plan was developed that recommended closing just one segment between Broad Branch and Military roads. This segment of Beach Drive has no bike path and offers a parallel route for cars, Ross Drive, which could handle the diverted traffic and leave surrounding neighborhoods unaffected by the closure. But the final version of the plan rejected both approaches without explanation.
And an opposing opinion:
[Closing Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park] was overwhelmingly opposed by surrounding communities. Closing Beach Drive would have created inequalities in access to the park.The management plan will improve existing hiking and bicycle trails and examine the possibility of new trails.
But, closing Beach Drive and improving existing hiking and bicycle trails are two unrelated issues. Unless you believe that improvements are just a consolation prize. It's ridiculous that the Park Service was unwilling to make the smallest of consolations.
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