Check this out to raise your blood pressure: Link
The "Monticello Freeway" (Braddock Road) would have basically been what you suggested. It's amazing what officials pissed away here. And BTW, no one addresses the traffic tie-ups thanks to the HOT construction. 495 is now messed up almost every day from just north of 236 to try to get to 66 starting around 2:00. Same for coming south from Tysons.
That level of stupidity is still present among local Democrats in this area. I think they're mostly the dregs from New Jersey who couldn't steal enough to keep up with the neighbors.