Four Mile Run Trail Closure Along South Glebe — Options

[LeprosyStudyGroup]

That’s why you go a bit out of your way to take the easy curve of 28th and cross glebe at Meade instead

[sjclaeys]

@Steve O 145852 wrote:

+1. Perhaps we can create a critical mass of riders in batches at the intersection of Mt. Vernon. Once there are 4-6, then all go together. Given the volume of traffic during rush hours, one shouldn’t have to wait more than a couple of minutes for a group to form.
The trick is communicating this to all the riders, so they know.

Personally, I would love for this to happen. If drivers want to have a “conversation” at the light at Eads, ask them politely to call ArlCo and ask for a better accommodation. This would have been the perfect time to fix the eastbound sidewalk IMO, in advance of the project.

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For those of you who do not attend the ABAC meetings, this was a major topic of discussion on several occasions. The members of the BAC expressed numerous concerns with the planned detours and suggested other alternatives, most of which were ignored.

The fact that Arlington County ignored cyclists concerns about this shows why it does not deserve any higher rating from the LAB. The County talks a good talk about promoting cycling, but doesn’t walk the walk when it comes down to making hard decisions. On the other hand, why are there petitions for cycle tracks in Ballston and never a petition about getting better accommodation for the Four Mile Run construction? I’d imagine that it would be easy to get a lot of signatures.

[Enabler]

@sjclaeys 145870 wrote:

On the other hand, why are there petitions for cycle tracks in Ballston and never a petition about getting better accommodation for the Four Mile Run construction? I’d imagine that it would be easy to get a lot of signatures.

Because nobody has created one. Go for it!

[Subby]

leprosystudygroup;145836 wrote:

i’ve ridden on all the routes around that area a few times cause i lived there in aurora highlands for 6-7 years. I recommend crossing glebe at meade (the giant foods side) to 28th and then going up and down army navy drive to the pentagon mall/row area over messing with biking mt vernon ave/arlington ridge rd or the glebes. Crossing the intersection of glebe and mt vern will never not be a nightmare.

That path up to oakcrest is 1 way traffic width and gets up to like a 20% incline. People walk their dogs on it. It’s a lot of fun if you like that stuff. Most people don’t.

The sidewalk there on the north side of glebe isn’t great, and rock walls/bushes/electrical poles will try to push you into the road while blocking sight lines to anybody exiting the smaller streets. At some point the sidewalk just stops if you keep heading east. Going back behind the processing plant on 31st isn’t too bad though. Getting up over the hump of south grant from 31st could really kick your ticker if you wanted to do that too!

20%!!! Swooon.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@KayakCyndi 145824 wrote:

I was thinking about this when I saw the closure notice. We’re gonna have to ride it again together as I can’t remember exactly how to do it.

Spin to win is how you do it.

[honestmachinery]

@dbb 145785 wrote:

It sucks pretty bad. A bunch of abandoned driveway entrances (there apparently was housing there) and irregular surfaces. I will probably set my rear blinkeys to stun and take the lane. Probably not for the faint of heart.

The bike “path” ran along the Glebe Rd. sidewalk from 1980 (when the trail under the bridges to the airport was finished) until around 1990, when the trail was extended through the treatment facility in its current alignment.

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[americancyclo]

@Steve O 145831 wrote:

Is the trail through Oakcrest Park rideable?

@ginacico 145833 wrote:

It’s narrow, paved, and steep. Would be an interesting diversion from Arlington Ridge. Goat Path, without the bollards. Death is imminent.

@LeprosyStudyGroup 145836 wrote:

That path up to Oakcrest is 1 way traffic width and gets up to like a 20% incline. People walk their dogs on it. It’s a lot of fun if you like that stuff. Most people don’t.

@Subby 145873 wrote:

20%!!! Swooon.

https://www.strava.com/segments/5419735

[dbb]

@honestmachinery 145884 wrote:

The bike “path” ran along the Glebe Rd. sidewalk from 1980 (when the trail under the bridges to the airport was finished) until around 1990, when the trail was extended through the treatment facility in its current alignment.

i looked at the ArCo property records and many of the lots where the treatment plan is were residential until about 1972. Probably got bought out when the flood control effort happened. I don’t know what Arlington residents used for wastewater treatment at that time (just crossed their legs?) they tore the houses down but left the driveway curb cuts in the sidewalk. Note that some of the curb cuts for the driveway aprons are not the sloped type we see today.

[honestmachinery]

@dbb 145888 wrote:

i looked at the ArCo property records and many of the lots where the treatment plan is were residential until about 1972. Probably got bought out when the flood control effort happened. I don’t know what Arlington residents used for wastewater treatment at that time (just crossed their legs?) they tore the houses down but left the driveway curb cuts in the sidewalk. Note that some of the curb cuts for the driveway aprons are not the sloped type we see today.

You can see the houses in old aerial photographs from 1951 at historicaerials.com. I think the flood control project was stalled until Hurricane Agnes in 74. The houses were probably acquired for the treatment facility.

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[honestmachinery]

@honestmachinery 145893 wrote:

You can see the houses in old aerial photographs from 1951 at historicaerials.com. I think the flood control project was stalled until Hurricane Agnes in 74. The houses were probably acquired for the treatment facility.

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Actually Agnes was in 72. Maybe the sidewalk is all that survived the floods.

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[EasyRider]

I’ll be surprised if the line marked “westbound” (the orange line) on the detour map doesn’t actually turn out to be unofficially eastbound on weekday mornings and westbound on weekday evenings. The orange route is easier, faster, and safer than the yellow one.

[dasgeh]

@sjclaeys 145870 wrote:

The fact that Arlington County ignored cyclists concerns about this shows why it is at risk of getting a lower rating from the LAB.

FTFY

@sjclaeys 145870 wrote:

On the other hand, why are there petitions for cycle tracks in Ballston and never a petition about getting better accommodation for the Four Mile Run construction? I’d imagine that it would be easy to get a lot of signatures.

Seriously, start a campaign. One option: wait until the detour has been in place for a week, then organize the “laps” of cyclists taking the lane on Glebe. Have an easy handout to distribute to drivers who get annoyed (I’m imagining a quarter sheet that says something like “We don’t want to ride here either” and a web site for the campaign/petition). Come with a solution in mind, and be ready to work with the County to make something happen.

[Subby]

@wheels&wings 145817 wrote:

Very interesting to hear about the Arlington Ridge option. Is there a decent edge so cars can pass you without too much trouble on the uphill? Or is it super-narrow?

I went to try it out this morning expecting certain doom. It was like getting licked by kittens. There is a reasonable shoulder for the first third of the climb and then a bike lane for the rest. Seriously – I might take this all the time now because it gets you to the downhill on 23rd to Eads, which is rad.

[Steve O]

@Subby 145933 wrote:

It was like getting licked by kittens.

You know, their tongues are actually kind of rough. Not as pleasant as getting licked by hamsters.
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[ginacico]

@Subby 145933 wrote:

It was like getting licked by kittens.

:D:D

Arlington County Government, in their “Arlington Insider” email newsletter, did announce the stream restoration project and trail closures as of this morning. It’s sent to any residents who opt in. The web page has a bunch of details and background, plus contact info for this particular project.

There’s even a ground breaking event, which oddly isn’t happening until October 5th. It sounds like signs for the trail detour are going up next week, but I’m not clear when the 4MRT will actually close to require the detour.

Anyhoo, talking to people at various Crystal City coffee clubs, many are already trying alternate routes and finding their way around. Do it right, and Whole Foods draft lattes are right on your way to work!

[Author]

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