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Yahoo! The lanes have always been way too wide encouraging speeding. I've always hated riding on Glebe and Van Dorn and won't dare ride on King where there's no bike lane. Glad Alexandria is wising up. So much more to do!

The buffered lanes on Van Dorn are 90% done, still a couple of sections of striping to complete - I did not check the speed limits.

E Glebe is done, pretty narrow bike lane and a lot of cars encroaching into it.

Time will tell if this is either wise, safe or fair. Is the city reducing either the number of commuters travelling into or through the city or capping the population or the numbers of automobiles allowed in the city?

It's true that we'll know more about how this will work when it's done after it's done, but I don't think there is any reason to believe that the city is trying to cap commuters, population or cars. In fact, these roads are all getting this treatment because they have excess capacity and drivers speed.

I doubt it only takes a few miles of 10mph slower roads to reduce the population of Alexandria.

Mark

The city is growing in population. In order to efficiently accommodate that growing population, the City is trying to provide more options other than the auto, which is an inefficient use of rush hour space in a dense city. The City has added a BRT (bus rapid transit) line from Braddock metro to Crystal City, is moving forward on a second BRT line in the West End, and there will likely be a BRT line on Rte 7 connecting the City to Falls Church and Tysons. The City has increased DASH bus service, and is moving forward on a new metro station at Potomac Yard.

In addition to adding transit the City wants to encourage more walking and biking, and complete streets initiatives like this will enable both.

Note, for those of us who drive at or below the speed limit, traffic calming that discourages speeding can make the driving experience more pleasant, as well as safer.

Mark,

Good points. Particularly about intentionally driving slowly.

My problem taking the bus during rush hour is that I'm sitting in the same traffic as all other motorists, so I don't see much of an incentive to taking it. I'd like to see more dedicated bus lanes during rush hour. What do you think about that?

Barry (I assume you were addressing me?)

Many people take local buses in mixed traffic, either because they are car free or car lite, or to avoid the cost and hassle of parking.

But yes, the BRT I referred to above, all involve buses in their own lanes. (note we already have express buses that use the HOV lanes on I395).

Also I said driving the speed limit. That we think of that as driving "slowly" strikes me as a problem.

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