Comments on: The Draw: An underground movement

By: JG

JG — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:24:27 +0000

“I say improve the intersection for peds, rebuild the library on its current spot, and give us more buses. Make the Purple Line into a computer game.”

I definitely agree with your improvement of the intersection, though we should rebuild the library in City Place along with offices, get rid of the mall aspect of it because it just attracts thugs and thug wannabees. I love the idea of more buses – in theory. In reality how will that make anything better when you consider our traffic issues? Unfortunately, that is moving in the wrong direction unless you have dedicated bus lanes, which would probably require massive construction to make them them,which would cost a lot of money and headaches for commuters.

By: LuvMyHood

LuvMyHood — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:48:30 +0000

Seriously folks, there is a tunnel under Rockville Pike at the White Flint Metro stop. I have used it during the day. I wish they would build one at Twinbrook; crossing Rockville Pike to get to REI is a drag.
However, dragging my purchases down into the tunnel and up again would also be annoying. Wayne & Fenton is near a grocery, as well as the Sat. Farmers Market. So the down and up thing would be a hassle. I say improve the intersection for peds, rebuild the library on its current spot, and give us more buses. Make the Purple Line into a computer game.

By: brh

brh — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:21:42 +0000

Laura – that is quite frightening… (but the proof is in the pudding – http://brhefele.brainaxle.com/images/zombiehamster.png )

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:26:09 +0000

Good point, Laura. It’s probably the best argument against the tunnel so far.

By: laura

laura — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:18:35 +0000

The biggest problem with this: tunnels are excellent places for vampires or photophobic zombies to hang out in the daylight hours. I say ‘no’ to this proposal.

By: LuvMyHood

LuvMyHood — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:37:18 +0000

Jessica, were you every in Crystal City in Arlington, Va. during its heyday? There was an indie coffee shop that sold beautiful mugs. Crystal City’s tunnels were great in many ways, but never had enough air circulation. I couldn’t imagine working in one of the shops; I would turn blue.
The best place for ped tunnels in the DC area would be dowtown, between some of the Metrorail stops. Imagine walking from Gallery Place to Farragut North, skipping Metro Center. This idea has been batted about, but would be awfully expensive. If Metrorail overcrowding continues to increase, it might be worth it.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:07:02 +0000

I spent a month in Moscow last year, and the city is full of underground tunnels to allow you to cross beneath busy roads. I personally think they’re great. Plus, the tunnels in Moscow are lined with kiosks that let you buy just about anything — food, movies, phones, pantyhose, etc. Maybe such an extensive network isn’t quite necessary here, but I’d take an underground tunnel under the cluster-insanity that are downtown Silver Spring’s streets anyday.

By: paf

paf — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:45:10 +0000

The underground tunnel that used to let you cross under Georgia Ave. just behind the new Veridian Building didn’t make it. I suspect this tunnel would have the same fate. Pee, muggings, rats, etc. Probably not the best solution.

By: brh

brh — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:04:19 +0000

Stuart – I think when the image got sharpened/reduced in size on Flickr, that detail got a little bit mushed… The pink thing is an earthworm tunneling around. :)

By: Stuart

Stuart — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:09:01 +0000

Hmm. I cannot connect to http://www.silverspringhamster.com.

By the way, what is that tube connected to the left hand stairwell, and what are the pink things in that tube. Is this the future pink line?