Changes along Capital Crescent Trail

[KayakCyndi]

For those of you who ride the Capital Crescent Trail be advised that things are about to change at the arch just before entering the trail in Georgetown. I’m sure you have all seen the parking craziness that has begun along the banks of the Potomac. In an effort to stop this the park service is putting up bike and pedestrian permeable gates. Not exactly sure what it will look like but below is the press release the Park Service sent out.

---

C&O Canal National Historical Park News Release
Release Date: June 18, 2013
For Immediate Release
John Noel, Public Information Officer, (301) 491-6422

Visitor Safety Improvements along Capital Crescent Trail

DC – Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) hikers and bicyclists should anticipate construction on June 20th, 2013, as the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park makes improvements to the Water Street entrance following increasing concerns for public and visitor safety.

An increasing number of cars are parking along the trail and landscaped area upstream of the Alexandria Aqueduct, leading to an increasing number of vehicles reported driving on the CCT in search of I-495 Beltway or Dulles Airport.

“In recent months we have become concerned for the safety of Capital Crescent Trail visitors at the end of the trail on Water Street in Georgetown as one serious injury and an increasing number of near-miss accidents between bicyclists and cars have been reported,” confirmed Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt, “Before another serious injury occurs we will take actions to minimize the risk posed to park visitors using the trail for recreation.”

Plans to enhance visitor safety and improve the aesthetics of this historic area include filling in all ruts and depressions in the drive-through arch of the Alexandria Aqueduct to create a smooth and level surface. Installation of a bicycle-friendly gate at the Georgetown side of the aqueduct will prevent vehicles from driving upstream and replace the single bollard located 200 feet upstream that had previously served this purpose but that was knocked over frequently by errant cars. Signage and striping to warn visitors as they approach the gate and direct them towards the 5 ½ feet-wide opening will be installed. Additional signs will be posted that alert visitors to the fact that they are leaving a non-motorized trail and entering a public road.

The grassy landscape that used to exist in this area will be restored upon project completion. Two weeks ago DC Water turned on the odor control scrubbers which will remove the smell emanating from the eight-foot-diameter Dulles Interceptor sewer line that is buried a few feet below the area where cars park upstream of the Alexandria Aqueduct, making this area much more conducive to visitor enjoyment of the Potomac River waterfront.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is interested in your ideas and suggestions for improvements to the Capital Crescent Trail and in particular the Water Street entrance. To submit suggestions or report problems or other maintenance requirements please email John Adams, Safety Officer & Acting Chief of Maintenance, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park at john_adams@nps.gov.

Topic

[baiskeli]

So a big fancy bollard?

[KayakCyndi]

@baiskeli 55491 wrote:

So a big fancy bollard?

Nope. More like a mostly road blocking “bicycle-friendly gate at the Georgetown side of the aqueduct” that will prevent vehicles from driving upstream. My guess is any gate that blocks traffic is going to also significantly narrow the road for bikes even if it is “bicycle-friendly”.

[Mikey]

I sent an email recommending a “step-free” connection between M street and the Canal at 34th street/F.S.Key Park. At the bottom of 34th street 3 stone steps separate the park walkway to the ramp that leads down to the canal. They really need a small ramp that extends up to street level. Three steps may not seem like a large obstacle, but bikes with tag-alongs and Chariot trailers with sleeping kids do not go down three steps well. I also recommended a switchbacked path or ramp from the Canal to the CCT at the Aquaduct arch.

[baiskeli]

@KayakCyndi 55496 wrote:

Nope. More like a mostly road blocking “bicycle-friendly gate at the Georgetown side of the aqueduct” that will prevent vehicles from driving upstream. My guess is any gate that blocks traffic is going to also significantly narrow the road for bikes even if it is “bicycle-friendly”.

I mean that it will have the same function as a bollard, which apparently was removed from that spot. I wonder if this “bicycle-friendly gate” is any more friendly than a bollard. If so, it may have applications elsewhere. But I wonder how it will be any better.

[thucydides]

The second sentence doesn’t make any sense. I don’t think the increased parking is leading to more cars driving on the CCT. What’s happening is that there is increased parking going on, presumably because of the conversion of the old surface lot into a park (not that I’m complaining about the park at all) and the fact that the new park is already a popular summer attraction. On top of this there is a definite increase in the number of cars that go down there looking to get on the Key, presumably because people are over-relying on GPS systems. I was running there last week and a lady asked me where the Key Bridge was. I pointed up as we just happened to be directly underneath it. Her GPS was telling her to take the entrance onto the Key. I guess her GPS is from a future when we have flying cars.

The big danger — at least in my experience — is people suddenly realizing they’re not where they want to be and then doing a careless u-turn.

[dasgeh]

@Mikey 55501 wrote:

I sent an email recommending a “step-free” connection between M street and the Canal at 34th street/F.S.Key Park. At the bottom of 34th street 3 stone steps separate the park walkway to the ramp that leads down to the canal. They really need a small ramp that extends up to street level. Three steps may not seem like a large obstacle, but bikes with tag-alongs and Chariot trailers with sleeping kids do not go down three steps well. I also recommended a switchbacked path or ramp from the Canal to the CCT at the Aquaduct arch.

If you don’t mind posting your language and the email address, our friends at NPS may get more similarly worded emails.

[dasgeh]

@baiskeli 55504 wrote:

I mean that it will have the same function as a bollard, which apparently was removed from that spot. I wonder if this “bicycle-friendly gate” is any more friendly than a bollard. If so, it may have applications elsewhere. But I wonder how it will be any better.

I really hope they have some cyclists helping them out here. There are some easy things for them to do (like a twisty trail that winds around some obstacles), but there are many things that would not be good for cyclists.

[baiskeli]

@dasgeh 55508 wrote:

I really hope they have some cyclists helping them out here. There are some easy things for them to do (like a twisty trail that winds around some obstacles), but there are many things that would not be good for cyclists.

Yeah, that’s my concern. If bollards are bad, why is this going to be any better?

I like the idea of a twist in the trail – reminds me of the openings in fences with sharp turns that farmers make that allow humans to pass but cows can’t navigate. But no matter what, a physical barrier is going to pose a hazard. But so does a car on the trail.

[Mikey]

@dasgeh 55506 wrote:

If you don’t mind posting your language and the email address, our friends at NPS may get more similarly worded emails.

here is what I originally sent:

Mr. Adams,

I was reading the WABA blog post [http://www.waba.org/blog/2013/06/nps-announces-safety-improvements-to-capital-crescent-entrance/%5D
that outlined safety improvements NPS is considering for the Capital Crescent/C&O canal trail head along Water/K street and I had a suggestion.

My family and I live in Fairfax, VA and for the last three years have biked from our front door along safe roads and bike trails to the C&O canal to spend the weekend at Lockhouse 6. Arriving in Georgetown on the Key bridge is both joyous, for the sense of accomplishment, but also somewhat anxiety-inducing, because of the lack of a level transition to the canal or the Capital Crescent Trai from M streetl. We are aware of the ramp that connects the Canal to the corner of 34th street and Cady’s Alley NW, but there are three steps here that make it difficult for bikes loaded with gear, tag-along bikes, and gear trailers. We instead walk our bikes along the crowded sidewalk of M street to Wisconsin, then ride down to the riverfront park and on to the CCT. Replacing these three steps with a ramp that connects the C&O canal ramp to the Francis Scott Key park at street level would make for a much easier transition to this wonderful american treasure, and it would also make it accessable for persons with disabilities. A switchbacked ramp from the Canal down to Water/K street at the acquaduct would also be very useful.

Thanks for your consideration,

Mike Essig

Here is his response:

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your response and I’m glad you and your family have been able to enjoy the C&O Canal.

I’ve been to the area many times but I can’t figure out where the three steps are at that you are talking about. I have been reading your email and looking at google map and I still can’t figure it out.

The cross over bridge at 34th will keep you on the towpath and there are no steps on either end to contend with.

If you are trying to get to the Capital Crescent Trail from the Canal, that’s more of a challenge. Your best bet is to get off the towpath at Fletcher’s Boathouse and get on the CCT.

If you could, please give me a better idea of where the steps are at and I’ll see if we can do anything. Much of Georgetown is outside of our control but I know people that might be able to help.

Thanks.

John G. Adams, CSP
Safety Officer/Acting Chief of Maintenance
C&O Canal National Historical Park

And…. here is what I sent him back:

John,

thanks for your quick reply. Here is a google streetview screen shot of the location of the steps. The steps face away from the camera so they are not clearly visible, but you can see the dropoff where the steps are. Note the two steps on the left center of this photo are not an issue bacause the path on the right slopes up to street level without steps.

A link to the screenshot is here:

View Larger Map

Thanks again for your consideration,

Mike Essig

[mstone]

@baiskeli 55509 wrote:

Yeah, that’s my concern. If bollards are bad, why is this going to be any better?

Bollards are bad, but if there’s a demonstrated problem with vehicle incursions, some kind of barricade is a necessity. It’s been long enough since I was there that I don’t remember the layout. Would splitting the path around a grass median with a pillar be an option? (Something visible from further back, with more reaction time than a bollard right in the path, and a full width lane on either side.)

[baiskeli]

@mstone 55518 wrote:

Bollards are bad, but if there’s a demonstrated problem with vehicle incursions, some kind of barricade is a necessity. It’s been long enough since I was there that I don’t remember the layout. Would splitting the path around a grass median with a pillar be an option? (Something visible from further back, with more reaction time than a bollard right in the path, and a full width lane on either side.)

Yeah, these are my questions – if bollards are bad, can another barrier be any better? And if so, could we use it elsewhere in places where needed?

I like the median idea – basically a bollard with a median. That could probably work. Have you seen that used elsewhere? Isn’t there something like that on the Capital Crescent further up?

[mstone]

@baiskeli 55525 wrote:

Yeah, these are my questions – if bollards are bad, can another barrier be any better? And if so, could we use it elsewhere in places where needed?

I like the median idea – basically a bollard with a median. That could probably work. Have you seen that used elsewhere? Isn’t there something like that on the Capital Crescent further up?

For bollard fun, see http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design_guidance/bollards/

[bobco85]

I’m stuck on ideas at the moment, but I think I can add some food for thought. The NPS will still need to be able to access the trail with its vehicles, so it must be accessible and yet not accessible to vehicles (Schrödinger’s bollard?). Looking at streetview in Google Maps, what will fit in that space?

Also, what are the plans for repaving that area? If they repave, they can paint newer lines to better guide confused drivers and save the rear ends of many a cyclist on the reverse speed bump (goes down instead of up) on the other side of the aqueduct bridge.

[DCAKen]

One thing that the city should do is put up a large sign at the intersection of K Street and Wisconsin Avenue that essentially said “Dead End” for the westbound K Street traffic. There’s a “No Outlet” sign closer to the Key Bridge (maybe at Potomac Street?), but that isn’t very noticeable.

[baiskeli]

@mstone 55533 wrote:

For bollard fun, see http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bicycle_pedestrian/guidance/design_guidance/bollards/

Well, that’s basically…bollards. I see they put median lines around them, but not raised medians. I was thinking like this:

http://wiki.coe.neu.edu/groups/nl2011transpo/wiki/0cea9/images/__thumbs__/8447b.JPG

Would be even better if the path and road had completely different coloring or paving styles.

I was also thinking a curb cut with a false curb could deter cars.

[Author]

Replies