15th Street Cycletrack to close for repairs, beginning Fri. Sept. 6

[PotomacCyclist]

http://dcist.com/2013/09/15th_street_cycle_track_work_begins.php

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/20069/15th-street-cycle-track-repaving-starts-tomorrow/

Yes, that means tomorrow. The work is expected to take four weeks, but many construction projects don’t seem to meet their schedules. Bike commuters, take note. Some or all of the cycletrack can be closed at any time until the project is complete. No detours have been added, from what I’ve read.

Topic

[jrenaut]

Anyone know if the new legislation regarding making alternate accomodations for bikes when a lane is blocked should affect this? Did that legislation go into effect yet? Because from what I’ve seen, DDOT is saying “take 16th or 14th”. 16th is not a real alternative for most cyclists – I ride in the area all the time and I won’t take 16th. 14th would be fine if it weren’t for all the construction blocking the bike lanes (which I suppose suggests that the legislation is not in effect).

Regardless, for all who use this lane regularly (NB, at least), I’d like to see you on 15th, taking the lane as is your legal right. Let’s remind those crazy drivers who profess to hate bike lanes what happens when we don’t have real bike infrastructure.

[bobco85]

I figure that since parts of the cycletrack will still be open, it doesn’t make sense for cyclists using it northbound to have to cut over to the opposite side of the road (or salmon, which some likely will) for a block before having to cut back over to re-enter the cycletrack. I think the best choice would be closing off the lane of traffic adjacent to the cycletrack with cones and signs so that the route remains continuous. Of course, this would cause the parking lane in some parts to be blocked off, but in terms of safety I think this would be best.

@jrenaut 63304 wrote:

Anyone know if the new legislation regarding making alternate accomodations for bikes when a lane is blocked should affect this? Did that legislation go into effect yet?

What legislation are you referring to? I did not hear about it, but would like to know, especially if it would apply in this case.

[jrenaut]

The law hasn’t passed yet, according to someone at Greater Greater Washington. I think someone posted about it here somewhere.

[DCLiz]

After being sidelined from cycling all summer (July through maybe the end of this month?) due to injury and surgery, I’m mentally gearing up for winter commuting. Any suggestions for an alternate route from the Pennsylvania Ave cycletrack to 18th & M St NW? I typically use 15th St to M, then bike the last 3 blocks on M.

Is 14th St a good option for those few blocks between the PA cycletrack and M Street?

Or this may be moot since maybe the project will be done by the time I can comfortably get back on a bike.

[jrenaut]

@DCLiz 63451 wrote:

Is 14th St a good option for those few blocks between the PA cycletrack and M Street?

Not really. It’s fine southbound but northbound it’s uphill and a lot of traffic. I’d probably take the cycletrack up and cut across the White House and keep on PA to 18th, then 18th to M.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Northbound traffic lane on 15th to Pennsylvania, past the White House, then right on 18th.

[PotomacCyclist]

http://wamu.org/news/13/09/10/dc_begins_repaving_of_15th_street_bike_lane

Work on the busiest bike lane in the District is underway. The District Department of Transportation has started to prepare the 15th Street bike lane for resurfacing from K all the way north to Swann Street.

“It shows that the city is committed to this idea of protected bike lanes. They see value for all residents, and they are going to put resources into maintaining them. It’s not just a fad,” says Kishan Putta, a Dupont Circle ANC commissioner.

DDOT crews are working on the curbs and gutters now. The actual repaving will begin in about two weeks and take four to five days, a few blocks at a time. There will not be a temporary bike lane on 15th Street during the work. Putta says bicyclists will have to use a detour.

“Sixteenth Street is nearby, but I wouldn’t recommend it during rush hour since it is pretty clogged with traffic and buses and doesn’t have any bike lanes. 14th Street has bike lanes going north and south,” advises Putta.

Roughly 350 cyclists per hour use the 15th Street bike lane during the morning and evening commutes.

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[DismalScientist]

Ah man, I really need a gravel bike now.:rolleyes:

[jrenaut]

@DismalScientist 63728 wrote:

Ah man, I really need a gravel bike now.:rolleyes:

You could get some rad air off that jump

[PotomacCyclist]

15th Street Cycle track… uh, 15th Street Cyclocross Track

[jrenaut]

Remember, all who usually take 15th and are comfortable in traffic – continue to take 15th. People need a constant reminder that 15th is a vital part of the city’s bike infrastructure, and the slight inconvenience they may imagine from the cycletracks is much smaller than the inconvenience of bikes in the lane preventing cars from doing 45mph.

[bobco85]

Have they put out detour signs for people who would have been using the cycletrack? I have not been around there since construction began, so I hope they did.

@PotomacCyclist 63725 wrote:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3666[/ATTACH]

So, how are they supposed to work on the cycletrack with those cars parked there?

(Yes, I know they are maintenance vehicles)

[Riley Casey]

Everyone is being rather chill about this given the magnitude of the closure. How long do you suppose it would take for Congress ( bless their pointed little heads ) to revoke home rule if the city announced that 16th St NW would be closed for a month?

@jrenaut 63304 wrote:

Regardless, for all who use this lane regularly (NB, at least), I’d like to see you on 15th, taking the lane as is your legal right. Let’s remind those crazy drivers who profess to hate bike lanes what happens when we don’t have real bike infrastructure.

[Author]

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