Whither Suburbia? Virginia all but outlaws cul-de-sac construction in face of traffic costs
Virginia lawmakers are taking a metaphorical battering ram to suburban culs-de-sac, those little dead-end roundabouts that are almost all adorned with a yellow sign saying "No Outlet." Caught out by spiraling maintenance and development costs, the Washington Post reports that legislators are now mandating that the state will only maintain new subdivision roadways that meet its revised requirements for narrower dimensions and increased connectivity. That maintenance includes not only things like pothole patches and striping, but also plowing in winter, meaning that the state's new laws will carry very real consequences for planners and developers who choose not to comply.
The rise of culs-de-sac occurred when suburban city planners and private developers decided it was better to have a few roads act as central spines instead of connecting all roads in a grid. Unfortunately, the result has been that the large thoroughfares connecting all those culs-de-sac suffer from traffic jams, high maintenance costs, as well as a constant need for widening as populations increase. They're also annoying to ambulance drivers who can't take alternate routes while responding to an emergency because side streets off of main arteries often don't connect, resulting in longer response and transport times.
Suburban dwellers are, of course, against the change. They chose culs-de-sac for particular reasons, notably because they are generally safer for children and quieter than connected streets. Cul-de-sac homeowners are worried that if connector streets are added, speeding commuters will start flying through their formerly safe developments like they do on the few connecting roads currently exist.
While there is little that homeowners can do now to change the rules, urban planners and designers are looking at making more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly subdivisions with enough connectivity that there isn't just one road that's either clear or gridlocked. Said one council member, "We're trying to create flexibility... instead of a one size fits all."
Kids, play in the streets while you can, because the times, they are a-changin'...
[Source: Washington Post via Wallet Pop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
shaun 7:15PM (3/24/2009)
Hooray!
My cul de sac lot value just went up!
Reply
Luis 8:23AM (3/25/2009)
Actually, property values are stable in traditional neighborhoods. Look at NYC, Boston, SF and I suspect most traditional neighborhoods in most cities - all places with traditional connecting streets, that are narrow with on-street parking and street trees. These properties tend to be most sought after with the most stable values. The foreclosure crises? 5,000 sq.ft. McMansions built on cul-de-sacs.
howarchaic 7:37PM (3/24/2009)
Culs-De-Sac!!!!! Know your french!
Reply
ronEbear 7:48PM (3/24/2009)
Literally translated, cul-de-sac mean butt-of-the-bag.
Buttbag.
Nick 8:40PM (3/24/2009)
Cul-de-sac
Adding an S to Cul would make it plural.
Level 5 10:12PM (3/24/2009)
uh huh-huh huh.. he said sac... huh huh.
howarchaic 10:22PM (3/24/2009)
I know the singular form is cul-de-sac, but the title of the article reads cul-de-sacs when it should read culs-de-sac.
howarchaic 10:28PM (3/24/2009)
Nevermind, they changed it...
superman211 10:51PM (3/24/2009)
I know my French thank you. But AB will delete my post if I speak in here.
Colin Smith 6:02AM (3/25/2009)
But in English cul de sacs makes more sense. Saying culs de sac would sound a terribly pretentious wouldn't it? Probably better to stick with 'dead end' then.
TelegramSam 10:15AM (3/25/2009)
@ Colin Smith
This is a common form in english as well. Example: The title Notary Public in its plural form is Notaries Public.
Asuka 7:37PM (3/24/2009)
SUBDIVISIONS
In shopping malls
SUBDIVISONS
On high school walls
Conform or be cast out!
Reply
fixitfixitstop 1:06AM (3/25/2009)
Asuka gets my Comment of the Day award.
stumack 7:37PM (3/24/2009)
Why is the state maintaining low volume local streets? Wouldn't these be a municipal responsibility?
Reply
Papi L-Gee 8:38PM (3/24/2009)
VERY few of Virginia's municipalities maintain their own roads. Only Henrico and Arlington Counties do.
Bill 8:45PM (3/24/2009)
Depends.
Virginia has very strict guidelines about what counties and incorporated cities are responsible for. Since most new-construction greenfield development is most likely in a county, the roads are the domain of VDOT.
I'm sure there will be a few lawsuits arising from this, but the state has a valid fiscal rationale.
Kumar 7:03AM (3/25/2009)
I agree that it looks like there's some actual urban planning going on. I'm guessing most other states are like Indiana, where there's very little to no planning, and the states don't maintain subdivision roads.
In the past decade or two subdivisions went up everywhere. Many roads in outlying areas are clogged since the roads can't handle them, and there was no money to add lanes to busy streets (state didn't charge extra for people building into undeveloped areas) Subdivision roads, however, are not the city's responsibility.
Helps in the once a year major snow storm I imagine....less roads to plow...and more people stuck in their subdivisions like several of my coworkers were this January.
collegekid13 7:39PM (3/24/2009)
but but but . . . I love cul-de-sacs
Reply
jareddavila 7:41PM (3/24/2009)
Cul-de-Sacs aren't as safe as one would assume according to a story on NPR...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5455743
Reply
tankd0g 8:11PM (3/24/2009)
Thems prime drifting territory :)