Good News on Infrastructure thread

[dbb]

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

She asked “I wanted to check in and see if you have any other feedback on the boardwalk since its been in operation for a few weeks now. Anything good or bad you would like to share or have heard from others?”

I told her I would seek input from the forum and share the responses.

Operators are standing by …

[Starduster]

Today’s update on the ANC/Columbia Pike detour:

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They are really trying to discourage us from riding through the “parking lot”.

For those who wish to take the lane downhill going eastbound, the *right lane* remains safe for a big ring flyer. The left lane is breaking up and developing potholes.

[CaseyKane50]

@dbb 225655 wrote:

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

She asked “I wanted to check in and see if you have any other feedback on the boardwalk since its been in operation for a few weeks now. Anything good or bad you would like to share or have heard from others?”

I told her I would seek input from the forum and share the responses.

Operators are standing by …

Dana, thanks for asking for feedback. I think the paving at each end of the boardwalk is well done and I appreciate the width of the boardwalk. Here are my suggestions for some enhancements:

• Add reflective material at each end of the bridge
• Add signage at the west end alerting riders to on-coming pedestrian and traffic
• Add wayfinding signs to Eads Street (experienced riders know this, but would be a help for the inexperienced and casual riders)

[Steve O]

@dbb 225655 wrote:

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

Operators are standing by …

Thanks, Dana.
I second Casey’s remarks re: signage. All new signage should be rationalized and made sensible for anyone, especially those coming through for the first time.
Tidy up! The barrier that used to block the east side is tipped over and lying on the stream bank; the detour signage at the Rte 1 ramp is lying on the ground. There may still be detour signs posted somewhere, although those may have been taken down.
Essentially they should hire a granny and have her look around. “Make your bed and get those socks off the floor. What is this? A pig sty?!”

This would be a good opportunity to get them to fix the entrance to Eads Street. Sounds like she is interested in overall experience. Expand our feedback to include the entire detour.

[Starduster]

@dbb 225655 wrote:

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

She asked “I wanted to check in and see if you have any other feedback on the boardwalk since its been in operation for a few weeks now. Anything good or bad you would like to share or have heard from others?”

I told her I would seek input from the forum and share the responses.

Operators are standing by …

I will second what KaseyKane50 and Steve O have said-this is a good boardwalk and should not be *diabolical* (reference to Trollheim). Reflective elements will make it more night-friendly. Now to *fix* the safety issues with the end of S. Eads. Because of the “road furniture” a cyclist has to dodge, and because the only lighting there is “incidental” (a parking lot and whatever illuminates the substation), I will ask that they extend street lighting to this cul-de-sac.

Good work, sir!

[Judd]

@dbb 225655 wrote:

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

She asked “I wanted to check in and see if you have any other feedback on the boardwalk since its been in operation for a few weeks now. Anything good or bad you would like to share or have heard from others?”

I told her I would seek input from the forum and share the responses.

Operators are standing by …

Echo the other comments. The asphalt installed on the sidewalk along Route 1 between Four Mile Run and Glebe has sunk very badly and presents a high risk of falls for anyone using the sidewalk. Would appreciate if they added another layer of asphalt and gave it a very good compacting.

[DanB]

@DanB 222959 wrote:

Bridge on Lake Accotink Trail

I realized today that the thread I began under Trail Conditions regarding part of Lake Accotink Trail being closed, now fits better under the Good News on Infrastructure feed. I’m sharing the link to the thread here.
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewashingtonareabikeforum%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D19673&share_tid=19673&share_fid=27249

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

The bridge looks completed, and all the construction machinery has been cleared. They’re probably waiting the necessary concrete cure time (max. 28 days).[ATTACH]30751[/ATTACH][ATTACH]30752[/ATTACH]

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[lordofthemark]

@dbb 225655 wrote:

Just got an email from my contact at Dominion regarding the boardwalk at the Glebe substation work.

She asked “I wanted to check in and see if you have any other feedback on the boardwalk since its been in operation for a few weeks now. Anything good or bad you would like to share or have heard from others?”

I told her I would seek input from the forum and share the responses.

Operators are standing by …

I think I have only ridden it once since it officially opened – I have pretty much only riden into DC lately on coffee club days, when I take Eads, and in the evening in I usually avoid the MVT because of the crowds in the nice weather. The pne time I took the MVT and rode the boardwalk I got busy taking pictures, and didn’t really evaluate trail conditions. I will try to remember next time I ride there.

[lordofthemark]

@dbb 225643 wrote:

The contractor got another shot at the ramps and they are much better. Shots are from this afternoon

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Note, it appears that trail users will not get a white crossing signal unless they press the beg button. This is not, IMO, an appropriate signal treatment for a road crossing on such a heavily used trail, which should be automatic. I spoke to Chris Slatt, confirmed that the signal is controlled by Arlington County (not by our fair City) – he told me that he has contacted DES. Given that the trail proper should be reopened in a few months, I am not sure they will get to this, but it would be good if they did so.

[Starduster]

The wonderfully wide separated mode W&OD Trail within Falls Church. The widened trail was built with the intent of equally wide crosswalks. As you see…

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30767[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]30768[/ATTACH]

Street crossing remains at its original width and alignment. Repeated three times at N. Spring, N. Oak, and Great Falls St. Are these crossings the responsibility of the City of Falls Church?

Unfinished business in The Little City.

[Steve O]

@Starduster 225737 wrote:

The wonderfully wide separated mode W&OD Trail within Falls Church. The widened trail was built with the intent of equally wide crosswalks. As you see…

[ATTACH=CONFIG]30767[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]30768[/ATTACH]

Street crossing remains at its original width and alignment. Repeated three times at N. Spring, N. Oak, and Great Falls St. Are these crossings the responsibility of the City of Falls Church?

Unfinished business in The Little City.

From what I understand, the City of Falls Church does not currently have funding to complete the street crossings. I do not know when or if they will obtain that funding and what that means for completing the project.

[CaseyKane50]

@Steve O 225738 wrote:

From what I understand, the City of Falls Church does not currently have funding to complete the street crossings. I do not know when or if they will obtain that funding and what that means for completing the project.

The original project to widen the trail in Falls Church was a NOVA parks project. It was completed in 2021.

There is a separate Falls Church project to improve the crosswalks at Little Falls Street, Great Falls Street, N. Oak Street, and N. Spring Street. The project is federal and locally funded, estimated cost $2 million. Construction is scheduled to start later in 2023 and be completed in 2024.

At each trail crossing, there will be a narrowed street cross-section, and special paving, each crossing will be raised, and the design will include a sidewalk and lighting. The W&OD right of way is 100 feet wide, and the crossing treatment will include improvement to as much of this space as feasible.

[Starduster]

Good morning. Arlington National Cemetery has announced some traffic changes, effective Monday April 17. As follows:

Traffic Pattern Changes Around Arlington National Cemetery
4/12/2023
On or around April 17, 2023, several traffic pattern changes and detours will take place on the roads surrounding the construction supporting Arlington National Cemetery’s Southern Expansion project. The public can expect to see the following changes:

1. The southbound ramp on Washington Boulevard that connects drivers to eastbound Pentagon South Parking will be modified to intersect Columbia Pike with a new temporary traffic signal. This will allow both westbound and eastbound turns on Columbia Pike, as well as towards Pentagon South Parking.

2. The southbound ramp on Washington Boulevard that connects drivers to westbound Columbia Pike will be closed. Westbound Columbia Pike drivers will be detoured to the Pentagon South Parking ramp, where the intersection was modified to allow westbound traffic.

3. These detours are expected to last until at least June 30, 2023.

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On balance, I think this will be safer for us on bikes. Using the path, this is *one less* high speed offramp to cross. If you are taking the lane eastbound, the traffic light should “calm” motor vehicle speed through here. Whoever rides this first, let us know.

[Starduster]

@CaseyKane50 225740 wrote:

The original project to widen the trail in Falls Church was a NOVA parks project. It was completed in 2021.

There is a separate Falls Church project to improve the crosswalks at Little Falls Street, Great Falls Street, N. Oak Street, and N. Spring Street. The project is federal and locally funded, estimated cost $2 million. Construction is scheduled to start later in 2023 and be completed in 2024.

Click on the link. This is an ambitious bit of roadwork, bigger than simply wider ramps. It will be worth the construction disruption it will cause. https://www.fallschurchva.gov/2160/WOD-Trail-Crossings

[consularrider]

@Starduster 225665 wrote:

I will second what KaseyKane50 and Steve O have said-this is a good boardwalk and should not be *diabolical* (reference to Trollheim). Reflective elements will make it more night-friendly. Now to *fix* the safety issues with the end of S. Eads. Because of the “road furniture” a cyclist has to dodge, and because the only lighting there is “incidental” (a parking lot and whatever illuminates the substation), I will ask that they extend street lighting to this cul-de-sac.

Good work, sir!

The Eads St connection to the 4MRT between the power substation and the water treatment plant has been modified with paint. I’m not sure what they are trying to accomplish with the sidewalk markings, no one one rides their bikes in that direction. Maybe that’s to steer someone away from the curb drop-off? The curb cut wasn’t widened, but not now bears a bright yellow coat of pain.

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