Talk to Dr. Gridlock
Washington Post columnist asks for transportation priorities

Dr. Gridlock, Washington Post columnist Robert Thomson, asked readers what their transportation priorities are for DC, Maryland and Virginia. Let's put smart growth land use and transportation on his radar screen! Suggestions are below.

Here are some suggested priorities, but please put them in your own words:

1. Fully fund Metro: Fully fund Metro's ability to provide world class service to a growing region. Support Congressman Davis's proposal for matching federal and state funds to build needed long-term capacity. Solve the immediate operating budget crisis without service cuts or fare hikes, even if it means additional commitment from state and local governments.

2. Smart Growth is a Solution: Make smarter growth the top priority transportation solution, including transit-oriented development; walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods; and urban/inner suburban revitalization.

3. Stop the ICC: Cancel the Intercounty Connector which will not relieve congestion and instead direct funding to local road bottlenecks and key transit priorities like the Purple Line. This includes Purple line segments in the northern quadrant, across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and connecting to Tysons Corner.

4. Put Tysons Rail underground: Put rail in Tysons Corner in a tunnel to reduce construction disruption and ensure that Tysons Corner can be redesigned to be more pedestrian friendly.

5. Stop BRAC moves: Stop the BRAC moves which will shift thousands of jobs away from transit and create traffic gridlock.

6. Smart Growth in Maryland: Reinstate the smart growth program in Maryland.

7. More housing choices: Adopt stronger affordable housing policies in each jurisdiction ensuring that more housing is closer to jobs and transit.

8. No Outer Beltways: Tell the business community to stop lobbying for outer beltways and instead focus resources on transit, local roads, pedestrian/bicycle needs, and existing congestion bottlenecks.

9. Make our streets safer: Design streets to be safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and the disabled.
Far too many people are being killed and injured by cars. Ensure that children have safe walking routes to schools and that people have the option to walk to stores and other services.

10. Price all parking: It is expensive to provide "free parking" and this subsidy encourages more driving and traffic. Market pricing of all parking will help reduce congestion.

To unsubscribe from the Coalition for Smarter Growth's periodic alerts, send an email to info(at)smartergrowth.net and put the word UNSUBSCRIBE ALERTS in the subject line. If you would like to receive our newsletter, please indicate that in the message; otherwise we will remove you from both email lists.