Columbia Pike & Four Mile Run Intersection — When Will It Get Better?

[consularrider]

@Hancockbs 62716 wrote:

Another week has passed with seemingly zero work being done at this intersection. There doesn’t appear to be much work remaining. Can’t they just fill in the holes and make it much less hazardous?

There has been work going on a couple of mornings this week. It just didn’t improve the crosswalk situation.

[Hancockbs]

I come through before 7 am, so I never see ongoing work, but I also can’t tell that anything has been done. I’ll take your word for it.

[hoffsquared]

Still not much progress.

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[APKhaos]

@Hancockbs 62735 wrote:

I come through before 7 am, so I never see ongoing work, but I also can’t tell that anything has been done. I’ll take your word for it.

Tuesday mid-afternoon there was no sign of a crew there. Crickets, and congestion.

[KLizotte]

FYI: You can skip the whole Columbia Pike mess by taking the parallel trail that run along S Arlington Mill Drive through Barcroft Park. This brings you out on to the WO&D and you only have to deal with one minor street crossing the entire way. The downside is these trails aren’t really passable after a big rain or if it is snowy/icy.

[hoffsquared]

@KLizotte 63968 wrote:

FYI: You can skip the whole Columbia Pike mess by taking the parallel trail that run along S Arlington Mill Drive through Barcroft Park. This brings you out on to the WO&D and you only have to deal with one minor street crossing the entire way. The downside is these trails aren’t really passable after a big rain or if it is snowy/icy.

I have tried this a few times. There is one spot that goes under one of the roads that is quite slippery. I also almost ran over some very tiny dogs a few times when their owners weren’t really paying attention to where they were on the trail near the dog park. So I’ve opted for W&OD the whole way.

I’m just ready for this intersection to be finished. Taking them quite a while to do whatever they are doing.

[hoffsquared]

I just entered a ‘sidewalk’ report on this with Arlington County. Not sure if it was the right place.

[Kolohe]

@hoffsquared 63971 wrote:

I have tried this a few times. There is one spot that goes under one of the roads that is quite slippery. I also almost ran over some very tiny dogs a few times when their owners weren’t really paying attention to where they were on the trail near the dog park. So I’ve opted for W&OD the whole way.

And I think someone already pointed out on this thread, somebody literally died in a cyclist / ped collision on the steep embankment that comes out from under the Columbia pike bridge. It’s a very technical decent compared to just about any other trail in northern Virginia.

(Going under George Mason requires a bit of crouch too, iirc)

[consularrider]

There’s a lively difference of opinion on using 4MRT vs W&OD. I take the 4MRT from Glencarlyn (near milepost 2)through Shirlington every week day morning and have fewer issues with other trail users than staying the W&OD down to milepost zero. This means going uphill from under Columbia Pike. Coming home in the evening I mostly prefer staying on the W&OD.

[hozn]

Yeah, that section of the W&OD between Columbia Pike and mile 0 is pretty annoying. I will take the 4MRT any day. Less traffic and far more pleasant. And more hills.

I realize that a pedestrian died there; that is horribly tragic, but don’t feel that is especially relevant for considering whether to ride there. Sure, it is a more technical trail, but most of us aren’t beginner cyclists. One has to be mindful of others on the trail and maintain control of the bicycle.

[rpiretti]

I do this everyday now and can’t recommend it enough. Sure it’s a little technical. Just pay a little more attn and you will cut at least 5 min off your ride, at least.

I extend this cut thru by (when heading east in the morning and west in the pm) heading to the separate trail near the playground/bathroom area I’m guessing a half mile away from col pike. This avoids the very steep most near entrance where there is a decline/incline on the just to the west side of col pike.

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[Steve O]

If there’s a big group of people, I just jog over and ride on the road and don’t deal with either trail. I always regret it, though, when the light at the DMV turns red and the trail riders go on by while I have to wait for the light.

[hoffsquared]

I got this response from Gerald Roberson of Arlington in response to my sidewalk repair report. Not really informative.

“We are planning to continue the construction @ the subject location within the next two weeks. The trail will remain accessible until then.”

[sjclaeys]

This morning I saw three guys working there and three guys watching them, which may be progress. Unfortunately, they seemed to be digging up more of the sidewalk, rather than completing the project at the corner.

[Dirt]

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