I-66 HOT lanes proposed, with multimodal improvements

@PotomacCyclist 106181 wrote:

The Custis Trail already runs along I-66 for most of the route in Arlington. Does anyone know what sort of upgrades are being proposed here? Are they significant upgrades? If so, where? Or is this just a way to lower any opposition to the I-66 proposal? Arlington has battled with VDOT in the recent past over proposed HOT lanes on I-395.

The cynic in me says that these are usually part of the proposal just so they have something they can cut when people whine about cost/environmental impact/etc.

The Custis could certainly be improved, and would benefit from not turning into a sidewalk in Rosslyn. I wonder it would be possible to use this effort to establish a Spout Run trail to connect Spout Run to the end of the Key Bridge.

@Powerful Pete 106190 wrote:

Or to somehow address the IoD?

One can always dream…

I solved this problem already.
http://www.steveoffutt.com/2011/10/solving-lynn-streetlee-highway-bikecar.html

@chris_s 106186 wrote:

VDOT is being extremely vague about everything except the HOT lanes conversion and the widening. That said, it is likely that the package being advanced is based on the final preferred package in the I-66 Multimodal Study Supplemental Report. If that’s true, then what’s being talked about are seven projects determined to be “regionally significant” in the corridor:

Project 13 – Custis Trail Widening
This project will widen the trail to 12 feet, where feasible (e.g., right of way is available and
there are no utility conflicts); smooth cracked and heaved pavement; and upgrade trail lighting
between Lynn Street in downtown Rosslyn and the intersection with the Washington and Old
Dominion Trail (in Bluemont Park) near the western edge of Arlington County. This project
supports bicycle commuter travel along the I-66 corridor parallel to the interstate providing
access to many key destinations. These trail improvements will also help accommodate
increased levels of reverse commuting (east to west) by bicycle that may occur in conjunction
with increased development in Tysons and Merrifield.

I’d love to see a more detailed map of where the trail would be expanded and where pinch points would continue to exist.
@chris_s 106186 wrote:

Project 51 – West Falls Church Connector Trail
This project will construct a trail between the West Falls Church Metro station and the Pimmit
Hills neighborhood to the northwest. The project will travel through VDOT and WMATA right
of way. This connection has the potential to significantly improve access to the Metro station
from the north.

This would be great for folks in Pimmit Hills and McLean but it would be silly to do this without putting a bike lane on Idylwood
@chris_s 106186 wrote:

Project 52 – VA 7 Tysons to Falls Church
This project will construct an off-road connection between the Washington and Old Dominion
Trail in Falls Church and Tysons, running parallel to VA 7 (Leesburg Pike). Shorter-term
improvements may use existing frontage roads to expedite initial implementation. The project
will significantly improve connectivity between major regional destinations (Tysons, Falls
Church) and existing facilities for nonmotorized traffic (Washington and Old Dominion Trail),
and is part of the Fairfax County Bicycle Master Plan.

I’d love to see this as more than a glorified sidewalk. it seems to me that the natural branch off point will be at the Citizens’ Bridge near the car wash on Broad St. I’m guessing VDOT is going to have to get some support from Falls Church City as well?

@chris_s 106186 wrote:

Project 34.A – Arlington Boulevard Trail (Glebe to Beltway)
This project will create a trail along Arlington Boulevard through a combination of constructing
an off-road sidepath, on-street infrastructure, and signage. The project will continue the
existing Arlington Boulevard sidepath west from Glebe Road to the I-495 interchange. The trail
will enable bicyclists to travel from western Arlington County, and eastern/central portions of
Fairfax County to locations in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, Crystal City, and east into the
District of Columbia. The improvements will enhance bicyclist comfort through either a separated
bicycle facility, or an on-road bicycle facility on a relatively low-speed, low-volume frontage
road. Alternative alignments will need to be explored around challenging areas, such as
Seven Corners.

I recently walked the existing trail on the north side of 50 from Glebe eastbound to Jackson, over that green bridge, and then the trail on the south side of 50 from Jackson to Fillmore. It was a wet but not icy day. I had never cycled this trail before and I doubt I ever will, at least not faster than about 7mph. Tree roots frequently compromise the pavement. The curve about 400 feet west of the cemetery entrance could easily throw a westbound rider into the roadway, especially if it’s at all slippery. Sediment had been deposited in large clumps on the path at the drain west of Irving. Also nearly got right-hooked (does that term apply to peds?) by a driver who took a right turn off 50 way too fast directly in front of me onto S Hudson.

So I sure hope this project is executed better than the existing sidepath. Because while there are bike-friendly street alternatives to the portion I walked (N Pershing, 2nd St S), that’s not the case further out in Fairfax County.