DC AREA THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN DC, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA

If you feel compelled to make a statement about free speech and The American Way - or just are a big fan of James Franco - the following DC-area theaters are showing The Interview on Christmas Day (none are in Montgomery County, so far):

THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW IN MARYLAND

Xscape 14 Theatres, in the Brandywine Crossing shopping center on Route 301 in Brandywine, MD.

THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW IN DC

West End Cinema in the District.

Angelika Pop-Up Theater at Union Market, 550 Penn Street NE in the District.

THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW IN VIRGINIA

The Alamo Loudoun theater in Ashburn, VA.

Manassas 4 Cinemas in Manassas, VA.

More theaters could agree to host the controversial film, but this was the list of closest theaters as of this writing.

BILL TO STUDY NEW MD-VA POTOMAC RIVER BRIDGE ADVANCES IN VA HOUSE

The Virginia House Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to send a bill requiring further study of a new Potomac River crossing to the House Appropriations Committee. Bill HB-1244 would require the Virginia Department of Transportation to review the results of an ongoing demand study for a new bridge. The study area is between existing crossings at Point of Rocks (US 15) and the Harry Nice Bridge (US 301). A new crossing would be constructed within that area.

Historically, new Potomac River bridges had been planned at several locations. Most notable were those to connect the unbuilt Rockville Freeway to the Fairfax County Parkway at Riverbend Park, and the unbuilt Outer Beltway (I-370 extension) to VA 28. Other bridges were considered at Arizona Avenue in the District, and in relation to the George Washington Parkway. Failure to build some - or all - of these crossings is a major factor in today's congestion on the American Legion Bridge in Bethesda, and on I-495 and I-270. A recent Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments study concluded that about a quarter of all traffic on the American Legion Bridge is heading to or from the Dulles area.

If the study shows a need for a new crossing (duh!), the bill requires VDOT to furnish recommendations for specific crossing sites to the Virginia General Assembly, and VA Secretary of Transportation, by December 1, 2015.

HB-1244 is co-sponsored by Del. Thomas Davis Rust and J. Randall Minchew. There is some urgency regarding the bill, as the House Appropriations Committee has only three meetings scheduled before all non-budget House bills must be finished.

A new crossing has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia).

VA BI-COUNTY PARKWAY SQUABBLE THREATENS MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S ECONOMIC FUTURE

A highway battle currently raging in Virginia could have severe impacts on traffic here in Bethesda, and a large portion of Montgomery County. If it results in a capitulation by elected officials in Virginia, the loss of a potential new Potomac River crossing would prolong an existing failure to attract large employers to our side of the river.

Many years, and Virginia taxpayer dollars, were put into preparing VA Route 28 as a potential link in a future Outer Beltway. Also known as Sully Road, VA 28 passes along the eastern side of Dulles Airport. If you look on a map, you'll notice many of its intersections have been transformed into cloverleaf interchanges, such as you find on the Beltway and other interstates.

While discussion of a future Potomac River crossing connecting VA 28 to I-370 in MD has rarely been open, it was often assumed to be the most cost-effective solution to several congestion and access issues on both sides.

But over the last 2 years, Virginia transportation officials have begun to emphasize a highway corridor west of Dulles Airport. Anchored around a north-south Bi-County Parkway, it is now thought by many to be the new route of the Outer Beltway.

I personally would not strongly object to that happening. But I'm concerned that the new plan is stirring up more unnecessary fights with residents near the western Dulles route. Should the proposal fail as a result, it could also delay construction of the new river crossing.

A VA 28 Outer Beltway route (see map below) would be less expensive to build for Virginia taxpayers. And if the Bi-County Parkway is canceled, I would hope Virginia officials would immediately turn their attention back to Route 28, and a Potomac River crossing.

Why is a new crossing so important to Montgomery County?

First, our lack of access to Dulles Airport is a major reason large companies choose Virginia over Montgomery County. A short route across the Potomac would not only provide that access, but also allow hotels in our I-270 corridor to enter the airport hotel market for Dulles.

Second, the numbers clearly prove that a new Potomac River crossing would reduce up to a fourth of the traffic on Bethesda's congested American Legion bridge during rush hour, in both directions.

A 2012 study, presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, showed that 23% of Maryland drivers on the bridge are headed to the Dulles area.

And that 27% of Virginia drivers crossing the Legion bridge are heading to I-270.

A new bridge would provide easy access for both sets of drivers, as well as high-paying jobs for Montgomery County residents.

So this is a story worth paying attention to on our side of the river, as our county's economy has been stagnant for many years.

If Virginia officials succeed with the Bi-County Parkway project, that's fine. But if it fails, they should return to the VA 28 concept. As the map below shows, it can achieve the airport access and same Outer Beltway route through the Dumfries area, back to I-95, as the Bi-County Parkway alternative.

At the same time, elected officials on our side of the river need to start working with their Virginia counterparts - like Outer Beltway proponent Sen. Mark Warner - to build this essential crossing.

Every day we do nothing, we lose more jobs to Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and we spend another day in gridlock on the Beltway and I-270.

GROSVENOR-STRATHMORE IS MOST DANGEROUS METRO STATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Is one of Bethesda's Metro stations really the most dangerous subway stop in Montgomery County?

According to transit agency WMATA's 2012 crime report, yes.

In 2012, the Grosvenor station was the scene of 34 "Part I" (serious) crimes. The specific crimes were not detailed in the report. Part I crimes can include assault, arson, burglary, homicide, larceny, auto theft, attempted auto theft, rape and robbery.

No arrests were made at the scene of these crimes, according to WMATA's report.

Grosvenor hardly comes to mind as a crime-ridden area.  And, in fact, a December 2012 crime report posted by WMATA lists no incidents at all for the Grosvenor stop. In contrast, the downtown Bethesda station had three minor incidents - 2 bicycle thefts, and an alcohol offense.

Yet Grosvenor was the only station in Montgomery County to make the Top 10 "Most Dangerous" stations in Maryland, in Metro's report.

It is also interesting to compare the Grosvenor crime stats to those of the Northern Virginia hot spot most oft-compared to Bethesda, Clarendon.

No Clarendon Metro stop even made the "Virginia's Most Dangerous List." The stations closest to Clarendon that did make the list were Ballston and Rosslyn. But even combined, both of those Arlington stations still had 14 fewer Part I crimes than Grosvenor. Most embarrassingly, Grosvenor had more Part I crimes than the "Most Dangerous" Metro station in Virginia, Franconia-Springfield, which had 32 to Grosvenor's 34.

According to Metro, your chance of being a victim of crime while in their subway system was about 6-in-a-million rides.

Do these crime statistics match your experience using the Grosvenor stop? Do you feel safe at the Grosvenor-Strathmore station?

I'm kind of surprised by this data, and welcome reader input on this topic in the comments below.

LATEST VA FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUND GIFT TORCHES MoCo POLS' CLAIMS OF "NO FEDERAL MONEY" FOR ROADS

Even as Bethesda and other parts of Montgomery County endure crippling traffic jams, Montgomery County politicians keep assuring us that there is no federal money available to build badly-needed roads and bridges.

What they don't tell you is, they haven't even applied for any!

In order to be eligible for federal funds, a transportation project must first be placed into a master plan.  But our politicians have done just the opposite, deleting master plan highways like the Rockville Freeway and Outer Beltway from the books in methodical fashion.

If you wondered why our stimulus money ended up going to paving and sidewalks - while Virginia was getting money to finish its Rockville Freeway counterpart, the Fairfax County Parkway (the 2 roads were meant to connect, via a new Potomac River bridge by Riverbend Park) - it was because we didn't have any shovel-ready road projects in the pipeline.  Result:  we lost out on tens of millions of dollars.

What happens to federal money states and counties can't spend, because their leaders subscribe to anti-car ideology?  It gets taken back by Uncle Sam, and distributed to states with common sense.

Like Virginia.

I believe they got $67+ million for the Fairfax County Parkway.  But they're not done yet!

The Federal Highway Administration has just awarded an additional $52 million to Virginia, funds that - you guessed it - were passed up by states that are ideologically-opposed to building roads.  Even if the Feds are picking up a large portion of the tab.

$52 million!

Why is Virginia getting $52M extra?

As the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, Uncle Sam is giving a treasure chest of $1.4 billion "to states, like Virginia, that have eligible projects ready to go."

Why didn't we have the Rockville Freeway, Outer Beltway and Potomac River bridge "ready to go?"

Why didn't the state have the extension of I-70 to I-170 in west Baltimore "ready to go," to handle the explosion of truck traffic westbound from the port [and earn truck toll revenue - duh!], when the new Panama Canal opens in 2014?

Ask your elected officials.

BETHESDA CENTRAL

FARM MARKET

ADVISORY REGARDING

PARKING AT

TODAY'S MARKET

Farmers Market Issues Statement After

County Government Expresses Concern for

Safety of Children at Bethesda ES

During Market Hours

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

The Bethesda Central Farm Market is OPEN today, Easter Sunday, from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Bethesda ES on Arlington Road.

However, they have issued a parking advisory.

BCFM asks all those capable of walking a block to *please* park at the Bethesda Library on Arlington Road, or in the public garage in the first block of St. Elmo Avenue. All those who cannot/do not wish to walk are welcome to park in the Bethesda ES lot.

This announcement is in response to Montgomery County Government expressing concern for the safety of children, who are attending other activities at Bethesda ES on Sunday mornings. As reported here last week, the lot filled up last Sunday, and the variety of activities happening concurrently may have led to the jam.

However, one must ask, if the county knew children would be trying to get to other events at the school, why did they insist that BCFM move to Bethesda ES?

Secondly, while no one will force you to walk, the directives may well dissuade potential attendees.

Third, the idea of parking at the Bethesda Library is counterintuitive; many people's first reaction may be, "Do I have to pay? Will cars be towed?" Thanks to bad county council policy - hitting up citizens for cash to go to the library - the library lot has a very negative perception among the general public.

But apparently you can park there today.

Well, parking aside, here's what to expect at today's market:

First, Cowgirl Creamery and Virginia Diner Peanuts make their 2012 debuts at the market.

Farm-fresh eggs will be available, and you can talk to the farmer directly to find out exactly where your eggs came from, and the conditions under which they were produced. Another advantage of buying local!

And Vernon will have fresh fish for your Easter feast tonight!

Give credit to the market, vendors, and customers: it's been a rough week PR-wise - and remember, this move was not the market's idea; they were forced to do this by the county - but loyalties are intact.

Enjoy the market today, and have a great Easter and Passover!

DESPITE DEATH OF

HOUSE BILLS,

OUTER BELTWAY

TAKES SEVERAL STEPS

FORWARD

Last week, I reported on the death of two bills in the Virginia House which would have required studies related to a future DC Outer Beltway.

Yet, as has been the style of Gov. Bob McDonnell and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, several even more dramatic steps toward the highway were quietly taken this week.

First, the Prince William Parkway, Fairfax County Parkway (which, like the Rockville Freeway on the Maryland side, was actually part of the original Outer Beltway), and Franconia-Springfield Parkway (Fairfax County) were all designated as "primary roads."

What does that mean? It means they are now eligible for Federal funding for maintenance and upgrades. And for Federal help if they decide to make them part of a future Outer Beltway.

Second, on Wednesday, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved the Battlefield Bypass through Manassas.

The Battlefield Bypass is another road which could become part of the Outer Beltway.

Predictably, Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, is not pleased. But it's time that we stop allowing obstructionist groups to control the agenda, and build the long missing roads from our region's freeway system.

OUTER BELTWAY BILL

FAILS IN VA HOUSE COMMITTEE

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Virginia House Bill HJ-131, which would have required the Virginia Department of Transportation to study a new Potomac River crossing, has failed in the House Rules Committee.

The bill was tabled on a voice vote.

While the bill, sponsored by Del. J. Randall Minchew was the most overt step towards a DC Outer Beltway in the current session, its failure so early is particularly surprising. Supposedly pro-highway Republicans currently control the House, and by extension, its committees.

Why, then, would they not have the votes to move the bill forward? A voice vote also means that the committee members did not have to go "on the record" individually, regarding their position on the issue.

An embarrassing failure to rise to the occasion on a highway critical to the economic future of the DC region, and an outcome one would expect from Annapolis, not Richmond. After all, it was just a study. What were they afraid of?

This means more time crawling across the American Legion and Woodrow Wilson bridges.

HJ-134, which would have studied the Bi-County and Tri-County Parkways (another Outer Beltway-related bill) was recommended to be tabled by a voice vote in a different subcommittee.

If this is the result in a "pro-highway," "pro-transportation" Virginia House, it's time to replace politicians to both sides of the Potomac River.

VIRGINIA HOUSE

RULES COMMITTEE

TO RECEIVE

NEW POTOMAC RIVER

CROSSING STUDY BILL

TODAY

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Del. J. Randall Minchew's bill requiring a Virginia Department of Transportation study of extending Route 28 into Montgomery County, MD, advances in Richmond today.

House Bill HJR-131 was approved by a House subcommittee last Thursday, and arrives at the full House Rules Committee this afternoon at 4:00 PM.

A defacto step towards completion of a DC Outer Beltway, the bill also mandates that the state request Interstate status for Route 28. Although the logical connection today would be Sam Eig Highway (I-370) on the Maryland side, it is interesting to note that Route 28 was originally destined to connect with the never-built Rockville Freeway near Riverbend Park, via a six-lane Outer Beltway atop a dam.

Minchew's bill passed the House Rules Studies Subcommittee by a 4-1 vote last Thursday. Del. Kenneth Alexander (D - District 89) cast the lone dissenting vote. Opposition is strong among environmentalists and a faction of developers who profit from traffic gridlock via "smart" growth policies.

But the growing support for new Potomac River crossings reflects the acceptance of reality: cars aren't going away, and will only get cleaner. And while developers and the politicians they get elected claim they're building to serve the young, the elderly, and young families "seeking vibrant urban lifestyles and walkable communities," data shows the opposite. With the exception of the District itself, those demographics are fleeing the inner suburbs for Loudoun, Stafford, Frederick, Carroll and Washington counties.

In addition to the Rockville Freeway, M-83 Midcounty Highway Extended, and the completion of I-70 to I-170 and I-95 in Baltimore, new Potomac River crossings remain essential missing pieces in our region's transportation system.

For the sake of jobs, and quality of life, let's hope the committee approves this bill and advances it to the next step in the process today.