Been there, done that (although not during rush hour) Many years ago when I was younger and more foolish and it was apparently more OK to drive after drinking, a friend and I left a party near Crofton and headed around toward the American Legion Bridge (called the Cabin John Bridge at the time) and 193. It wasn't until we'd crossed over the Woodrow Wilson bridge that we realized we'd missed our turn. I don't do that sort of stuff any more. But that would be a danger for those of us living in Western Loudoun County if we didn't cut off our drinking at the end of the tail gate EDIT: came back to get the number of the state road (193) and the old bridge name right. 198 used to be a kick-ass road to take in a sports car at speed before Virginia got built up so much. Been driving in and out of Western Loudoun for almost 40 years, and grew up in Southern California, so driving a few more miles to get to a spanking new United stadium is no damned big deal to me.
Damn, you know I'm going to have to check this out one of these days. I work right off the Beltway near Dunn Loring. I could jump on at Gallows and take off right around 5:00. My bet is that I do it in less than two hours. (without speeding) I'm off next Friday, make I'll give it a shot. And then get to Kilroy's in time for Happy Hour and to wash the taste of that gawdawful ride out of my mouth.
I dont see what the big deal is if we move to PG county, people are talking about how people arent going to show ? if its because the stadium is just a little farther away thats sad. I mean the Fire and Galaxy have no problem and they're stadiums are not in the city but FC Dallas not so much
Anyone want to point out that the night of the weeknight makes a difference too? Monday and Friday rush always seem worse to me.
Yeah but it's those couple of miles where traffic is crawling at 2 mph that not only bring down the average but put you over 2 hours. Uh, I have, just not extensively during rush hour. I still drive by the 95 exit on 395N and can see the back up. It looks like it's moving a lot better than it used too and it isn't backing up onto 395 like it used to but no way is it smooth sailing over the bridge either. As a co-worker just said, "It's normally okay but it has the potential to be very, very bad." Of course all this bickering will be moot when the MLS changes to all weekend games anyway.
While I agree with your basic point, it's worth noting that Poplar Point also offers a more central location for the region than Largo and that's worth something. Especially if the ticket buying base for DCU is slanted towards folks in Virginia, as some have mentioned (I don't know if that is true). To put it a different way, Poplar Point (and RFK) is quicker/easier to get to for more people in the metro area than Largo is. That doesn't mean Largo is unworkable or that people won't go there, but it does make Poplar Point a more attractive site for many potential customers.
People, people, let's not get upset at each-other. Let's keep in mind what really matters, namely: 1. No matter what happens, the Pink Cows will continue to suck. They are a boil on the butt of humanity. 2. Our stadium is already better than that of the Pink Cows. Yes, yes, D.C. United hasn't even built one yet. Nor have they even submitted the new designs. But I am certain it will nevertheless be a better stadium simply by virtue of the fact that it will be inhabited by our beloved United. Ours isn't even a reality yet, and it's better than that schlock being built in Harrison, N.J.. Ours is still a dream, and somehow I'd prefer it over that carbon-copy p.o.s. being built up north. It looks like a giant kitty-litter box. OooooOOOOH how unique! You see, the Pink Cows could have built their stadium out of diamonds, with gold plated toilets, satin toilet paper, and bum-washers that sprayed Cristal instead of water. They could have fountains of free beer at every seat, served by nubile young bikini models wearing nothing but goal-netting. And I still wouldn't care. (Though, to be honest, the beer fountains and models give me pause.) It still wouldn't matter, because it would still be for the Pink Cows. And as we all know, the Pink Cows suck. Hence, their stadium sucks. Period. Ours will be a better stadium. Just have a little patience. Vamos United.
dc UNITED aim the vitriol at dc gov't who deceived. and yes, it is much easier and safer to ride a bike through the city than in most of the suburbs, unless there is a nearby bike trail.
Traffic "crawling at 2 mph" only occurs if there's a major incident. Just like needing 2-3 hours to drive from Alexandria to Landover. Also, the the average rush hour speed of 35 mph is for the entire Beltway. Of course you could take pr0ner's alternate view, where he states: "The new Wilson Bridge is FANTASTIC. I haven't seen a backup on the Beltway inside of Telegraph Road during rush hour since it opened. And even when the old bridge was still being used, once you got into Maryland, there were NO BACKUPS on the PG County part of the Beltway." Every road in existence has the potential to be very, very bad. No one's bickering. You said that "it's about the fact that those 7 extra miles could literally add 2-3 hours of commute time for some people." I'm sorry, but an extra 2-3 hours of time to get to any of the proposed locations in Prince George's County is a total fabrication UNLESS there is a major traffic incident.
The only truly safe place to ride a bike in the city or the 'burbs is on Beach Drive on the weekends.
okay, you are my new drug dealer because you are smoking the good shit. I drive this once in a while, and sometimes I have to do it at rush hour, and from Tysons to Braddock Road the only speed you're going is "barely". Since the new bridge lanes came on board and they moved the 395N exit, things do move really well after that. Once you cross the bridge, it moves okay usually, but you have to change your driving style from bad Virginia driver to bad maryland driver or you'll be killed Someone said it a few posts above, but it bears repeating, even though some of us are voicing SOME displeasure with the concept - which by the way is not the same as saying we wish DC left the area for your mythical St Louis location, or that we can blame United one bit for having to go out to Md in the first place - we're just venting, get over it. but anyway, I'd like to repeat....... THANK YOU PG COUNTY!!!!!!!! For wanting my favorite soccer team to be in your area when no one else seems to want us. Now on to important things, where are the closest liquor stores to the 7 potential stadium sites? And what are MD's weird liquor/beer sales laws? I remember being able to drive to Branch Ave at 2AM and buy rum at a drive-thru window, but you can't seem to buy beer anywhere.
Don't worry - you can still find plenty of drive-thru's in Prince George's County. You won't go thirsty over there.
If one thinks that they are safe while on a bicycle, they are being unsafe. An urban cyclist always must be on the alert.