January 2013 Kennedy Center Path Closure

If I read this correctly, that asphalt path is SUPER steep. It would not be fun on a bike, especially if there’s ice. Any hop of getting KC to put in a new path with an acceptable grade?

@Bilsko 37850 wrote:

If they’re referring to the one I think they are, then it is that really steep little path up to the bridge access – here: http://goo.gl/maps/sWLhb

I rode it for the first time last Friday afternoon on my 4-bridges commute home. What I didn’t realize is that, back up the road, near the main entrance to the Kennedy Center, there is an access point to the dedicated bike lane for accessing the bridge, here: http://goo.gl/maps/mS7cj

Since the only reasonable access to that steep ‘ path’ is via the entrance (and past the main access point) I’m not really sure what purpose the little access hill lane serves. There’s no way to get across Rock Creek Parkway there (not without going all the way around the Kennedy Center) – it may be marginally more convenient for someone coming from VA who is parking their bike in the lot? Also, useful for pedestrians, I suppose.

Nevermind all that – I just saw Tim’s followup with the detour image.

@ShawnoftheDread 37856 wrote:

It looks like the detour is mostly the area where riders leave the path and enter the street anyway. Doesn’t seem like it will be much of an issue as long as equipment is kept clear of the detour area. But the part of the path that’s at the last part of the bridge is what really needs work.

So looking at the link that Tim posted, I think the detour takes you (as you approach the bridge) from the path by the bike parking just as the bridge starts, on to the road, then up the ridiculously steep path, back onto the bridge. It looks like the on ramp to I66/the bridge is significantly East of the detour.

Which leads me to think we’re going to have a problem. Or yáll are going to have a problem — Im hoping to be on maternity leave for all of this mess.

I looked it up to show DH: http://goo.gl/maps/q0K2I

Not only is the path supersteep, the entry to it is tiny.

There’s no way this is ADA compliant, right? Could that fact help the cause?

Well I guess I was reading that diagram wrong then. I thought the detour was near the bike racks.

On a related note, I never understand construction times. Six weeks to repave a section of sidewalk?

I guarantee you whomever came up with that detour has never actually ridden down that thing and probably doesn’t believe people actually commute on the TR bridge. This is flat dangerous detour on several counts and I betcha they will put up “Walk Your Bike” signs from both ends (which many will ignore, of course). Coming from the bridge that is a 90 degree turn into a narrow gap onto a narrow and steep path. It’s tricky to do on a good day with no one coming from the other direction. Add any slickness or opposing traffic and look out. Some of us (cough) will probably just cut across the grass and ignore the path. Coming to the bridge riders will have to go up the steep path and then turn hard to the right. Most riders will swing wide into the other side of the lane, i.e., into opposing traffic. Gack!

It is a crappy detour. Honestly I’d just suggest that people take a different route into the city… especially in bad weather. That’s a section that I ride daily this time of year.. .and the section of trail that they’re working on doesn’t lend itself to be detoured around. As much as I dislike the route they put up, they are doing some things right. They picked a low-traffic time to do the work and they let us know ahead of time.

Alternate Routes: Key Bridge is probably the most direct. I still won’t use Memorial bridge, so I’d suggest against that. Crossing the parkway will not likely be a happy experience. 14th street bridge is next and that actually works quite nicely for those who work along the mall.

If there are people who are doing the Strava Festive500, I can help you map out a route into the city that uses Wilson Bridge. There’s a lovely stop for Coffee in National Harbor. Oxon Hill Farm Park is LOVELY and a very cool place to ride through. Who cares if it is 12 miles out of your way!!!!