Good News on Infrastructure thread

[lordofthemark]

I would like to start this as a list of all new infra (or major rehabs) that support cycling in the area – bike lanes, cycle tracks, MUT’s, bike boulevards, wide lanes, etc, etc. Across all jurisdictions in the metro area. For now I will start with links to existing threads – many such already exist in the road and trail conditions forum, and in the forums on Arlington, Alexandria, and FABB. I envision it as sort of a grand list of “good” news.

I think it should probably be limited to things actually under construction, completed, or at least definitely planned and funded, as opposed to things still up for debate, or general jurisdiction wide plans.

Eye Street (with its bike lanes) being repaved from SW to SE.

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?5975-Eye-Street-SW-bike-lanes

Columbia Pike Bike boulevard plans, and discussion of trail cross golf course

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?5926-Columbia-Pike-bike-boulevard-plan-update

Chambliss Street trail bridge in Alexandria complete

http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?5603-Chambliss-Street-Bridge-Nearly-Complete

Topic

[Greenbelt]

when you come to the fork in the road, take it…

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[Greenbelt]

Happy trails!

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[Steve O]

@bobco85 162746 wrote:

Keeping the slip lane is not safe because it does not slow drivers down as they approach the crosswalk. That is a current problem that other posters have mentioned. Even if the crossing were moved farther from the intersection with the bigger island, the fundamental issue of drivers not yielding remains.

I agree that the main problem is drivers using the slip lane, looking left and not slowing enough. What if a crossing “table” were used here? The crosswalk is raised to the level of the sidewalk, forcing traffic to slow down and pay attention. That, along with signage and perhaps flashing yellow might help increase safety for people walking and biking.

[bentbike33]

steve o;162989 wrote:

i agree that the main problem is drivers using the slip lane, looking left and not slowing enough. What if a crossing “table” were used here? The crosswalk is raised to the level of the sidewalk, forcing traffic to slow down and pay attention or become airborne. That, along with signage and perhaps flashing yellow might help increase safety for people walking and biking.

ftfy

[Boomer Cycles]

Yesterday I rode for the first time the newly constructed cycle track on Fairfax Drive in Ballston that leads to the Custis Trail along side the on-ramp to I66. While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, this is a huge improvement. Now if “they” could only continue the designated lane to connect with Ballston Metro Rail/Bus station a few blocks away…

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

[consularrider]

@Boomer2U 163061 wrote:

Yesterday I rode for the first time the newly constructed cycle track on Fairfax Drive in Ballston that leads to the Custis Trail along side the on-ramp to I66. While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, this is a huge improvement. Now if “they” could only continue the designated lane to connect with Ballston Metro Rail/Bus station a few blocks away…

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Oh boy, the new Ballston ice rink come January (we’ll have to see how well it drains)!

[dasgeh]

@Boomer2U 163061 wrote:

Yesterday I rode for the first time the newly constructed cycle track on Fairfax Drive in Ballston that leads to the Custis Trail along side the on-ramp to I66. While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, this is a huge improvement. Now if “they” could only continue the designated lane to connect with Ballston Metro Rail/Bus station a few blocks away…

Arlington is asking for control of all of Fairfax Drive (it’s currently VDOT). Imagine if we could have this two-way, protected cycle-track all the way to Clarendon Circle? We would avoid all the Metro/bus madness, and all of the shuttles parked in the current bike lanes.

[Judd]

@Boomer2U 163061 wrote:

Yesterday I rode for the first time the newly constructed cycle track on Fairfax Drive in Ballston that leads to the Custis Trail along side the on-ramp to I66. While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, this is a huge improvement. Now if “they” could only continue the designated lane to connect with Ballston Metro Rail/Bus station a few blocks away…

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

Sweet New Jersey bell.

[Steve O]

@Boomer2U 163061 wrote:

Yesterday I rode for the first time the newly constructed cycle track on Fairfax Drive in Ballston that leads to the Custis Trail along side the on-ramp to I66. While the finishing touches are yet to be completed, this is a huge improvement. Now if “they” could only continue the designated lane to connect with Ballston Metro Rail/Bus station a few blocks away…

I feel it necessary to point out that of the three primary users of this interesection (drivers, people walking, people biking) that this has been designed to inconvenience the people biking the most.

To wit: An eastbound person on a bike encountering a green light on Fairfax is supposed to stop at Glebe and wait for the light to change, then proceed across Fairfax to the eastbound bike lane and wait again for the cycle to come back to green on Fairfax. With bad-luck timing, this would require an entire light cycle.
A walker, on the other hand, can proceed across Glebe on the green and then cross Fairfax at the change of light and proceed eastbound, only requiring 1/2 a cycle. Cars, of course, can just proceed through without stopping at all.
I suspect many people on bikes will act like people walking and proceed across Glebe on the green, but the design makes this inconvenient and potentially a conflict with oncoming bike riders. There is no reason why this could not have been designed to allow for people on bikes to have an option at this point depending on the light cycle: cross Glebe on the green, cross Fairfax on the red.

[Steve O]

@Steve O 162989 wrote:

I agree that the main problem is drivers using the slip lane, looking left and not slowing enough. What if a crossing “table” were used here? The crosswalk is raised to the level of the sidewalk, forcing traffic to slow down and pay attention. That, along with signage and perhaps flashing yellow might help increase safety for people walking and biking.

I forwarded this idea of a raised crosswalk to the County, and it turns out they are already doing it. I got this reply:

Thanks for your comments. Good ideas – the improvements you suggest for the slip lane are actually included in the design for the intersection! At the moment we are testing the signal timings associated with the lane realignment and larger refuge island. With construction of the full project, which should begin early next year, the slip lane crossing will be drastically improved: the crosswalk will be raised and slightly shifted so that drivers can first focus on the crossing, then negotiate making the turn, signs will be located in advance of the crossing, and signs will be located at the crossing with motion-activated flashing lights to bring further attention to the crosswalk users.
Here’s the website for more info: https://projects.arlingtonva.us/projects/south-walter-reed-drive-improvements-arlington-mill-drive-four-mile-run-drive/

Thanks,
Valerie

[Greenbelt]

Courtesy county planning dept. What’s wrong with this picture?
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[bobco85]

@Greenbelt 163892 wrote:

Courtesy county planning dept. What’s wrong with this picture?

Lack of curb ramp!

[Greenbelt]

@bobco85 163894 wrote:

Lack of curb ramp!

[Judd]

I also like that the sidewalk funnels you right into that utility pole.

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[scoot]

I’m enjoying the new cameras at 50 and Fillmore. The last few times I’ve ridden through there late at night (always southbound), the traffic signals for 50 have turned yellow immediately as I cross the first stop line (at the service road).

[Author]

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