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.

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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.

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[mstone]

@baiskeli 55537 wrote:

Well, that’s basically…bollards.

They’re not just bollards, they’re frickin’ hilarious bollards. My personal favorites are the ones with like 10 poles all about 18 inches apart, and the ones with the big tire tracks in the grass next to them. Oh, and the one lonely bollard in the sidewalk to nowhere. Toward the end of page 2 are things to work toward, including the vehicle gate with bike/ped access on either side. That might be reasonable here? I’d forgotten about the need for NPS maintenance vehicles, so a median with pillar is a non-starter.

[baiskeli]

@mstone 55538 wrote:

They’re not just bollards, they’re frickin’ hilarious bollards.

Yes. I meant the solution was just bollards. This document shows how to do bollards better, rather than alternatives to them.

But what’s really frickin’ hilarious are the barriers that simply shut the entire trail entrance down. That certainly is effective at keeping cars out, that’s for sure.

[mstone]

@baiskeli 55539 wrote:

Yes. I meant the solution was just bollards. This document shows how to do bollards better, rather than alternatives to them.

Again, see page two, the examples of “split path” and “Integrated vehicular gate at path entry”.

[dasgeh]

@Mikey 55514 wrote:

here is what I originally sent:

Mr. Adams,

[…]

Thanks. what’s the email address?

Also, it seems as though Mr. Adams is thinking about the wrong side of the canal. You may want to point out that you’re talking about the North/M Street side of the canal. (Your email was clear, but he seems to have misread it).

[Mikey]

@dasgeh 55564 wrote:

Thanks. what’s the email address?

Also, it seems as though Mr. Adams is thinking about the wrong side of the canal. You may want to point out that you’re talking about the North/M Street side of the canal. (Your email was clear, but he seems to have misread it).

He got back to me and told me that NPS only owns up to the ramp, that the steps would be someone else in DC. I think they belong to whom ever owns the FSKey Park, but who knows. Either way I don’t think he has jurisdiction. Here is his response:

“Mike,
Thanks for the info. The only portion of the bridge that belongs to us is both ramps and the bridge itself. I’m not sure who the steps belong to but it is probably the District of Columbia. I haven’t had much success in working with them on anything.

One more question is; Where are you headed to? I might have a better solution or route for you to follow.

Thanks.”

Although I think you are right, I’m not trying to get from one side to the other of the canal, just trying to not fall down the stairs with my bike, kids, trailers, etc Exorcist Priest Style.

[Mikey]

oh and his address is john_adams@nps.gov
wonder if he grew up just south of Boston?

[KayakCyndi]

Here is the end result.

[ATTACH]3153[/ATTACH]

Medium sized gates with a gap in the middle wide enough for several bikes but not cars. Padlocks which open gates for park service and other access. Doesn’t look bad now. Wonder if it will cause a bottleneck as riders try to exit the trail in the mornings.

[mstone]

That’s similar to what they use along the WMRT.

[Hancockbs]

@Mikey 55574 wrote:

I’m not sure who the steps belong to but it is probably the District of Columbia. I haven’t had much success in working with them on anything.

excellent statement!

[baiskeli]

@KayakCyndi 56012 wrote:

Here is the end result.

Slightly larger than a bollard.

[Hancockbs]

If only they had fixed the large divot in the road that you are now funneled into by the new gate. I know, I know, NPS probably doesn’t have jurisdiction 5 feet east of the gate.

[KLizotte]

@mstone 56014 wrote:

That’s similar to what they use along the WMRT.

Rode the Western MD Rail Trail (WMRT) for the first time on Saturday. The trail has quite a few of these fences and they work very well. They slow the cyclists down at road crossings and stop cars from going on to the trail. My only concern would be police/EMTs forgetting to bring the key with them and having to stop to unlock the gates in case of emergency.

[mstone]

@KLizotte 56144 wrote:

Rode the Western MD Rail Trail (WMRT) for the first time on Saturday. The trail has quite a few of these fences and they work very well. They slow the cyclists down at road crossings and stop cars from going on to the trail. My only concern would be police/EMTs forgetting to bring the key with them and having to stop to unlock the gates in case of emergency.

They just wouldn’t stop.

[Author]

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