Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Just a word to my non Washingtonian readers prior to delving into today's blog. Although I talk about a bridge specific to Maryland and Virginia, in the grander scheme of things it is a comment on commuting and driving throughout the world I suppose. So in that sense, we can all relate to some of the things going on in Washington this weekend.

So what's going on? What are we celebrating? It's much to late for the Fourth of July and much to soon for Labor Day and such; so what could it be? Well, the simple and short answer is that it's the opening of the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge spanning the Potomac River, linking Maryland and Virginia. Why is that cause for celebration? Well, if you are to believe the news reports and propoganda being bandied about, it's due to the fact that this bridge will solve all the woes that have plagued commuters for years now.

Anyone who has spent any time in Washington is familiar with the Wilson Bridge. It's almost guaranteed to back up no matter when you go. It's just a question of how far back you'll start lining up. On the days (which are rare) where the bridge opens, you can almost expect to sit in traffic for miles and miles. Having driven from Maryland to Springfield / Ft. Belvoir for two years, I know that pain all too well. It was bad enough to help inspire me to move to Virginia. I have lived here happily for three years now though that doesnt' mean my commuting woes are any less woeful. But that's a different blog for a different time.

So this bridge is supposed to help ease congestion. Back when the bridge replacements were being proposed they had suggested everything from a tunnel to a suspension bridge to a draw bridge (which is what we had and what we ended up with). That point in itself is not so much at issue as is the fact that there are a tremendous number of commuters who use the bridge. Unfortunately, geography is such that there are numerous exits and entries on both sides of the span often necessitating split-second lane-shifting, rapid deceleration / acceleration and overall driving skills... sadly something many of us are lacking. In the years that the bridge has been put up, there have been numerous other traffic tie-ups and delays and through it all one thing remains the same... traffic caused by bad or negligent driving.

No matter what we do to the roads: add ten lanes, create HOV lanes, give carpoolers incentives to continue carpooling; it all boils down to the person behind the wheel. And if that person can't get a grip on driving properly and safely (yielding to incoming traffic, obeying traffic laws and such) we will end up right where we started.... gridlocked!