Dulles Toll Road / Beltway Interchange: Another new cluster-f brought to you by VDOT!

An open letter to Steve Titunik, VDOT spokesperson, and VDOT itself.

Dear Mr. Titunik, or for these purposes, Tanooki Mario (the reason will become clear momentarily):

I don't know whether the brilliant plan to take away an additional left-hand merge lane at this interchange was yours, or if you just had the misfortune to have to be the one to publicly announce it.  However, what I can tell you, and what I've been trying to tell anyone who will listen is that IT IS NOT WORKING.  This change was made on June 13, and the morning commute has been an absolute abomination since then!  (Adding at least 20-30 minutes, even at 7AM!)  

Every single comment on the WTOP article, all 22, are negative.  See for yourself:  

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2420289

Every single comment on the Washington Post article - also negative.  Again, see for yourself:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/mazed-and-confused-at-the-beltway-interchange/2011/06/10/AGXwkeQH_story.html

I've called 1-800-FOR-ROAD.  I've tweeted.  I've emailed Dr. Gridlock and WTOP's traffic staff (VDOT  received an honorable mention on the traffic report every morning last week for this debacle!)  

The response from VDOT, and more specifically, from you?

Shouldn't your alleged "monitoring" of the situation have told you that the Toll Road is now backing up to Hunter Mill Road at 7am?  Even though the construction has been a pain in the @ss, it's never been THIS bad.  Until now, that is.

Does VDOT actually require any sort of training or engineering degrees for the people who make these decisions?  Do these people ever actually drive on these roads, especially at rush hour?  Or do you just throw changes at the map on the wall and hope for the best?  This "Megaproject" is a Megadisaster!

The signage at this location (like most VDOT signage generally) sucks.  The lane markings at this location suck.  And your latest change to actually eliminate what little asphalt existed for those of us simply trying to get to I-66E REALLY sucks.  Now we're stuck with all the Beltway-merging commuters.  Oh, and the Beltway North having only ONE lane to exit?  Another brilliant maneuver.

Get with the program, please.  My biggest fear is that once the summer school break starts, you guys will actually believe this has "fixed" things.  It hasn't.  Or worse yet, you'll "study" it for a while, or "monitor" it for a while, hoping it will resolve itself.  It won't.  This is a disaster.

FIX IT.  And don't worry, I'll keep complaining about it until you do.  I'm tired of paying for the privilege of driving on the Dulles Toll Road only to be stuck in traffic for YEARS because of VDOT's sheer incompetence.  This is going to continue until 2012?  God help us all.

Mr. Sex While Driving 85 on the Beltway Guy

Bud Light presents… real men of genius.

(Reeeeaaaaallllll men of geniusssssssssssss!)

Today, we salute you, Mr. Sex While Driving 85 on the Beltway Guy*

(Mr. Sex While Driving 85 on the Beeeeeeeeeelllltwaaay Guy!)

Not content with birthday sex, or even standard backseat action, you decided to UP the ante.

(Take it to the next leveeeeelllllll!)

30 MPH?  50 MPH?  No way, compadre!

(Vroom Vroom VROOM!)

There’s only one way to both tame this bucking bronco and keep it on the road…

Cruise control set to 85, and reverse cowgirl!

(Better open the moonroof!  Watch your heeeeeeeeead!)

You’re doing such a good job, she’s seeing stars!

Or are those just blue flashing lights?

(Uh-oh, It's the Pohhhh-Pohhhh!)

But don’t worry, soon your cellmate will be doing ALL the driving.

(I hear he drives a stick shift!)

So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, oh Cassanova of the Beltway.

And remember, where you’re going… there is no such thing as exit only.

(Mr. Sex While Driving 85 on the Beeeeeeeeeelllltwaaay Guy!)

* http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-state-of-nova/post/on-the-beltway-a-claim-of-drunken-sex-at-85-mph/2011/06/15/AGNgleWH_blog.html