Arlington Blvd/Rt 50 Trail Thread

[Steve O]

I have had good success when using the “report a problem” page on the VDOT site. In fact, they cleared off a bunch of vegetation and gravel along route 50 itself (farther west) as well as fixed the lights at the Underpass of Eternal Darkness and the other Underpass of Perpetual Gloom. And response time was pretty quick.

@Tim Kelley 133519 wrote:

Things aren’t looking good. This is heading north from the Courthouse exit on Washington Blvd on the west side of Route 50 to where it meets Fairfax Dr.

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Last year the response I got from Arlington County was that it was VDOT’s responsibility to maintain it. VDOT’s response was yes it’s was their responsibility to maintain it, but no, they weren’t going to maintain it. I’m looking into who at VDOT is the correct person to ask about this.

I’ve started this as a separate thread because it’s probably more useful as a place to talk about how we can get it cleared instead of the actual it’s in.

[Tim Kelley]

@Steve O 133521 wrote:

I have had good success when using the “report a problem” page on the VDOT site. In fact, they cleared off a bunch of vegetation and gravel along route 50 itself (farther west) as well as fixed the lights at the Underpass of Eternal Darkness and the other Underpass of Perpetual Gloom. And response time was pretty quick.

Yeah, for me they’ve been good about clearing gravel on the Rt 50 overpass over Washington Blvd, but I fear this is a much bigger job than that.

[chris_s]

Everyone should report this via the report a problem link, then we can compile all of the “no” responses from VDOT and dump them in our state delegation’s lap.

I’ve put one report in. We’ll need a bunch.

[Raymo853]

Did you see what shape the trail on the other side (east adjacent to Fort Myer) of Rt 50 is in? I assume like last year it is not been cleared.

[Tim Kelley]

@Raymo853 133536 wrote:

Did you see what shape the trail on the other side (east adjacent to Fort Myer) of Rt 50 is in? I assume like last year it is not been cleared.

You can’t even get close.

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[Tim Kelley]

Per official policy: http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/resources/bike_ped_policy.pdf

For sidewalks, shared use paths, and bicycle paths built within department right-of-way, built to
department standards, and accepted for maintenance, VDOT will maintain these bicycle and
pedestrian accommodations through replacement and repair. VDOT will not provide snow or ice
removal for sidewalks and shared use paths. The execution of agreements between VDOT and
localities for maintenance of such facilities shall not be precluded under this policy.

[Steve O]

@Raymo853 133536 wrote:

Did you see what shape the trail on the other side (east adjacent to Fort Myer) of Rt 50 is in? I assume like last year it is not been cleared.

There was a discussion about clearing this trail at a recent Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting. The committee suggested to staff that this trail be among those considered as possibilities for additional clearing. I can’t remember if we came to any specific outcomes other than just a discussion point. dasgeh or chris_s may remember better than I.

[Tim Kelley]

It might help if Barbara Favola heard from people who ride bikes that they want VDOT’s approach to trail clearing changed:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1055055237850465&set=o.126658024075163&type=3&theater

Here’s her email address: district31@senate.virginia.gov

[chris_s]

Folks may want to include that this isn’t just a problem with trails. We have had similar issues in the past with getting VDOT to clear the sidewalk on the Glebe Road bridge over 50 and the (admittedly terrible even on a sunny day) sidewalk next to Glebe Road as it passes beneath 395 (though I haven’t looked to see how those have fared this year).

It may also be worth pointing out that this appears to directly violate the ADA as it is interpreted by the Federal Highway Administration.

I’ve contacted my delegate (Alfonso Lopez) whom I have a good relationship with – I’ll report back what I hear.

[Raymo853]

@Tim Kelley 133537 wrote:

You can’t even get close.

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When I saw that last night, I was amazed. Last year it was fun to suffer up that hill in the untouched snow. This year it had a lot more stuff plowed onto it than last year.

[annoyedindc]

Here’s a thought, can we just find all the trails that Arlington is responsible for which connect to VDOT trails and submit requests for snow removal near the junctions?

[dasgeh]

@annoyedindc 133608 wrote:

Here’s a thought, can we just find all the trails that Arlington is responsible for which connect to VDOT trails and submit requests for snow removal near the junctions?

I think that’s a null set.

[Tim Kelley]

FYI–State Senator Adam Ebbin said “My office is currently looking into the Mt. Vernon trail, and the Rte 50 trail now. Thanks for Email!”

https://twitter.com/AdamEbbin/status/694246468169916416

[Tim Kelley]

And here’s more follow up from one of Ebbin’s aids:

“Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention, and we do ask for your patience as both VDOT, local parks, and Arlington County work to clear the roads, paths and trails. You are correct that it is VDOT’s policy not to plow these paths, and those along rte. 50 do fall under VDOT jurisdiction and not the Department of Parks and Recreation. I am currently in communication with Arlington to see what we can do, and determining whether they can spare resources as they work to clear other areas of the county as well. If this works, we will get an expedited permit, allowing them to clear the paths.

Thank you for providing the link to the specific location that is causing you trouble.”

That’s excellent news!

[chris_s]

@Tim Kelley 133920 wrote:

And here’s more follow up from one of Ebbin’s aids:

“Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention, and we do ask for your patience as both VDOT, local parks, and Arlington County work to clear the roads, paths and trails. You are correct that it is VDOT’s policy not to plow these paths, and those along rte. 50 do fall under VDOT jurisdiction and not the Department of Parks and Recreation. I am currently in communication with Arlington to see what we can do, and determining whether they can spare resources as they work to clear other areas of the county as well. If this works, we will get an expedited permit, allowing them to clear the paths.

Thank you for providing the link to the specific location that is causing you trouble.”

That’s excellent news!

Lovely. Not “I know it’s VDOT policy not to plow these, I’m looking into how to change that policy” instead “Let’s see if we can get the local jurisdiction to clean up VDOT’s mess.”

[Author]

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