Recent Backups on the HOV

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   "The plans for the Springfield Interchange call for both eliminating this exemption and for closing the Turkeycock Run entrance to the express lanes once the construction is done in 2007 (the reason is that the merging I reference above will be eliminated when the work is done). Guess we'll see in three years."

	Ok, so I don't want to get all hyped up about something that may or may not happen, but knowing that VDOT officials periodically monitor these discussions.....there is no valid reason to close this entrance once construction is completed.  All that needs to change is enforcement of HOV-3 rules at that entrance point. If that means radio announcements, newspaper articles, and signage to get the Springfield crowd to understand the change, then fine. There are just too many that carpool from just inside the beltway and benefit from that entrance point.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Sheepish Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 20 May 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sheepish Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Recent Backups on the HOV Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 4:40pm
	"The plans for the Springfield Interchange call for both eliminating this exemption and for closing the Turkeycock Run entrance to the express lanes once the construction is done in 2007 (the reason is that the merging I reference above will be eliminated when the work is done). Guess we'll see in three years." Ok, so I don't want to get all hyped up about something that may or may not happen, but knowing that VDOT officials periodically monitor these discussions.....there is no valid reason to close this entrance once construction is completed. All that needs to change is enforcement of HOV-3 rules at that entrance point. If that means radio announcements, newspaper articles, and signage to get the Springfield crowd to understand the change, then fine. There are just too many that carpool from just inside the beltway and benefit from that entrance point.

USA Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote USA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 3:09pm
	quote: Originally posted by gsm [br]Hear! Hear! I agree. VA has made it way to easy for the single drivers, including an early lifting of restrictions (6pm). Years ago it was 6:30pm and allowing them onto the HOV at Edsall Rd to go a few exits. (People say that it is because of the Springfield Interchange construction, but this was in effect waaaay before that started.) Letting the single drivers on at Edsall Rd.literally stops the HOV and the regular lanes are just zipping right along. Way to go VA. These decisions do NOT promote carpooling. It isn't because of the CONSTRUCTION; your point amply illustrates that. The official reason is that it's because of the small merge area between the Beltway and the Old Keene Mill/Franconia exit, which has been a snarl for years. VDOT says that the rationale for allowing all vehicles to use the Turkeycock Run entrance into the express lanes to bypass Springfield is that it is preferable to have a backup in the express lanes as opposed to having THREE more severe backups (I-395 and both loops of the Beltway) if all those cars had to stay in the regular lanes. The hardcore HOV crowd may resent it, but there is some logic to it. The plans for the Springfield Interchange call for both eliminating this exemption and for closing the Turkeycock Run entrance to the express lanes once the construction is done in 2007 (the reason is that the merging I reference above will be eliminated when the work is done). Guess we'll see in three years.

adjguy Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote adjguy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 12:18pm
	LOL. Amen! [:D]

SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 12:03pm
	But what would a meaningful usage fee be? $500? $1000? And wouldn't it be essentially a tollroad at that point? I was sorta kidding, my friend. It's my fear of the clever clowns of VDOT that keeps me awake at night. I'm going dressed as one on Halloween. (BTW, I'm a public school man, too. [;)])

RM Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Feb 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote RM Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 12:02pm
	elama: The article that I read did not say what VA's response was, but I figured the 2006 deadline was a positive response to the government, but if (if) they have extended it beyond 2006, oh brother...

adjguy Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote adjguy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 11:56am
	Hey Spongebob: Agreed. Great Idea. Ussage fee to keep exemption. Now were on a right track. Any other Ideas out there?

elama Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 28 Aug 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote elama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 11:47am
	I remember hearing something about this. Does anyone know how the State of Virginia responded to the Federal Government when they said that they would not give the state Federal money if they didn't get the hybrids off the HOV? First I heard that the hybrids have to be off the HOV in 2006 and then I heard that the exception has been extended. quote: Originally posted by RM [br]Allowing the hybrids on the HOV is just one other thing to add to the long list of bad decisions on the part of the State of Va. and the Feds agree, at least they did a couple years ago. I read an article a couple of years ago that the Feds (I believe it may have been the National Highway Safety Administration) informed VA that they would deny the state federal highway monies if they did not get the hybrids off the HOV lanes for the reason stated by MIT -that they do not meet the objective of the HOV - getting more vehicles off the road. The decision-makers seem to often lose sight of the big picture. As for the back up, this is the first year that there has been a consistent back up in the HOV lanes. I can't even imagine what the HOV lanes are going to be like in even another year unless VA smartens up and gets rid of the ridiculous exceptions.

SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 11:41am
	Anyone care to place a bet about the end of the exemption? [:p] Really now, can you see VDOT pulling the tags off those cars, putting those vehicles either onto the regular lanes or into the commuter lots, or could you more easily imagine VDOT asking the Hybrid owners to, oh, I don't know, PAY A LITTLE MONEY into the state treasury to save their exemption? Say, an HOV usage fee of $100 a year? Hmm. What would I do if I were in charge of VDOT....[}:)]

kgirl Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote kgirl Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 Oct 2004 at 11:32am
	Phew...that was a wee bit tense. I just don't see the point in getting irritated with a Hybrid driver. The Law said they could drive in there without picking up slugs. Whether or not you feel thats ok, take it up with the Law not the Hybrid driver. Pat yourself on the back as many times as you want, but they don't HAVE to pick anyone up. Besides, I've said it before, and I've seen it said by others, the exemption won't last long anyway. BE NICE [:)]

adjguy Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote adjguy Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Oct 2004 at 9:04pm
	Mit- you ever thought about going into comedy? LOL Nope, dont want me to get angery here, I might type out another 250 word essay on this website. [:D]