A slightly shortened 395?

While searching WTOP for a news article, I stumbled upon another article that caught my eye: one about how a section of 395 could close permanently in DC.

Apparently it's part of a study aimed at gauging the amount of "through" traffic vs. local traffic, and the segment of 395 being considered for closure is between New York Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue NW. Granted, that's not a very long stretch, but it would be a total disaster if they closed that, because that would only leave one other option for accessing Route 50 or 295: crossing the Sousa Bridge and making that god-awful left turn from Pennsylvania Avenue SE onto 295 northbound. (Taking South Capitol Street to Howard Road is also an option, but not an ideal one during a Nats home game.)

I was a little surprised by the rationale given for such a road closure.

Karyn LeBlanc, spokesperson for DDOT, says the road isn't closing down just yet.

"DDOT often takes an opportunity during various EIS studies to look at a variety of possible options and ideas that may or may not impact traffic throughout the region," says LeBlanc.

"The purpose of this study is to investigate and recommend ways to reduce congestion, improve traffic operations and enhance safety in the corridor."

The I-395 study should be completed in two or three months, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

"We are going to be looking at (the closure) as an option," says Kirby. "But if you were to close that off, it would have a very significant impact."

Well, duh!!! You'd be closing off the biggest thru-way into the District from Maryland! Closing that spot of 395 would not decrease traffic; it would make it soar, because you'd have a lot of angry drivers looking for alternate routes. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that you don't reduce congestion by closing off a major thoroughfare like that. You build something that would accommodate the traffic volume. As it stands right now, taking New York Avenue down to the intersection with 395 is the best choice we have for an "interstate" highway crossing the District (or at least one that would connect like 95 should).

I say keep that stretch of 395 connecting to New York Avenue open. Closing that spot down would be an utterly disastrous idea.