Nearly Hit by Car on Shirlington Connector

@zsionakides 163599 wrote:

On my way home today, I nearly got nailed by a car making a “short u-turn” from the cement factory entrance across from Four Mile Run to the Exxon station on Shirlington Rd. By “short u-turn” I mean they didn’t bother making two lefts and instead just went into northbound Shirlington Rd to make their turn. The car stopped a few feet from hitting me, and then waved me across like they were being polite to stop for me. This maneuver that was made is hard to describe, so here’s a drawing of the incident.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15303[/ATTACH]

I ride through there all the time as it’s on my way home, and never would have expected something like that. I have reported to the county previously about a lack of a crosswalk/light at the cement factory entrance, being that there’s a light for the trucks coming out of there, but haven’t seen anything done about it.

Oy.

@JustinW 163672 wrote:

There was a collection of friendly PAL-advocates last weekend helping cyclists navigate the crossings. Helpful and appreciated!

This whole intersection-slash-clusterfart is being examined as part of the overall 4 Mile Run Valley planning process. There are warm feelings regarding the development of some sort of bypass (bridge, perhaps) that will allow trail users to avoid at-grade road crossings unless they really, really want to get into that sort of thing. Won’t happen soon, but at least there is movement.

IIUC the thinking is for an underpass that would take the trail under Shirlington Road. Meanwhile there would be some kind of bike accommodation on the road itself, as part of a rebuilt bridge, as well as a wider sidepath (which will be especially necessary if the current industrial area becomes more an arts/recreation/makerspace/mixed use area as seems to be envisioned)

@chris_s 163678 wrote:

Unfortunately it seems that staff is leaning toward the OTHER option which is a flyover bridge between the W&OD and the Shirlington Connector that would go over Shirlington Drive. That option is arguably better for the long-haul cyclist who is just passing through but worse for the local who is just trying to get across the damn street safely. I think you can probably tell where my preferences lie.

Interesting, but I share your preference. For one, I just think the underpass would be more aesthetically pleasing, a more elegant solution, than a bridge over Shirlington Road. It would also be more useful for Shirlington residents, as well as us folks (I confess to being an interested party) riding down from Fairlington and nearby points (yes, I know we can all take the lane on Arlington Mill, but aside from not liking to breathe bus fumes at the stop light, I find the turn onto the trail from Shirlington Road awkward – perhaps that at least could be fixed in the new plan?) . But yeah, for folks coming from north of Walter Reed, a direct W&OD connection is probably better. Though of course improvemetns on Walter Reed between the W&OD and 4MRT would enable them to use a 4MRT underpass (those who aren’t already fine with going from the W&OD to 4MRT vehicularly in Walter Reed)

@chris_s 163678 wrote:

Unfortunately it seems that staff is leaning toward the OTHER option which is a flyover bridge between the W&OD and the Shirlington Connector that would go over Shirlington Drive. That option is arguably better for the long-haul cyclist who is just passing through but worse for the local who is just trying to get across the damn street safely. I think you can probably tell where my preferences lie.

Agreed. Ugh.