Issue on 4 Mille Run trail just before Mount Vernon

[cyclingfool]

@CaseyKane50 62518 wrote:

I haven’t noticed any significant progress on the project nor seen anyone working on this for the past week. This is week three of a project that I was told was going to take four weeks to complete. I should note that the “desirees” appear to have completed their restructuring of the fence and have marked out their new trail through the project site.

I do agree that from the trail level view, progress does seem stalled, and maybe it is.

I will add that I’ve been commuting more along Potomac Avenue up to Crystal City and then over to the MVT the last several weeks just to mix things up (I live in Del Ray and was getting tired of the same schlog to the end of Commonwealth and along 4MR). Anyway, what I wanted to say is that earlier this week (Tuesday?) there were a lot of contractor vehicles and and a few cement trucks at the top of the site (probably around 9 AM). Not sure what they were up to and the results of their work may not be evident from trail level, but there were workers out there. I presume they were doing something useful to advance the project.

[dbb]

They have been removing the soil from atop the bridge scheduled for demolition (the big one closest to Route 1). This project is being funded and managed by Pulte and is under the purview of Alexandria. I have a note into LocalMotion asking for them to post some update.

[dbb]

Here is a link to a site with additional information.

http://alexandriava.gov/planning/info/default.aspx?id=14042

The site says:

Four Mile Run Bridge Demolition

Late Summer 2013, the westernmost bridge between Route One and Potomac Avenue will be demolished and the stream banks will be stabilized. Weather permitting, demolition is set to begin in late Summer 2013 and the project is scheduled to be complete in the Spring 2014. Any trail closure information will be posted here, along with detour routes.

The staff from the City of Alexandria says “The improvement of the trail connecting the path on Potomac Avenue to the Four Mile Run Trail is being installed by Pulte and should be complete in late September.”

[cyclingfool]

@dbb 62680 wrote:

Here is a link to a site with additional information.

http://alexandriava.gov/planning/info/default.aspx?id=14042

The site says:

Four Mile Run Bridge Demolition

Late Summer 2013, the westernmost bridge between Route One and Potomac Avenue will be demolished and the stream banks will be stabilized. Weather permitting, demolition is set to begin in late Summer 2013 and the project is scheduled to be complete in the Spring 2014. Any trail closure information will be posted here, along with detour routes.

The staff from the City of Alexandria says “The improvement of the trail connecting the path on Potomac Avenue to the Four Mile Run Trail is being installed by Pulte and should be complete in late September.”

Thanks for the update. Good to know. I think I’ll stick to my alternate route through Crystal City and on Potomac Ave for the most part then, lest I encounter an unmarked or unexpected closure some morning when I’m already running late for work and keep tabs on the reports posted here and on the Local Motion site.

[PotomacCyclist]

I saw the homeless fellow camped out next to the break in the fence, a couple nights ago. Maybe he’s guarding it?

[dbb]

@PotomacCyclist 62715 wrote:

I saw the homeless fellow camped out next to the break in the fence, a couple nights ago. Maybe he’s guarding it?

He was there this morning as well. Good thing he doesn’t roll around in his sleep.

[dbb]

Here are some photos of the work going on on top of the bridge that will be removed.

These are all looking south towards the shopping center. It seems that they are stripping the soil that was on the bridge and then will begin taking the bridge apart.

[dbb]

Here is a shot showing the south abutment of the doomed bridge.

Upon musing on the status of the new double s ramp, it would seem that paving it would place the approach from Potomac Ave to the ramp at “risk” as the haul road would cross the trail. Trails generally seem to suffer when heavy vehicle traffic crosses them because the trail foundations are not as robust as a automobile roadway. Short answer – they can’t pave it because the pavement would be damaged or destroyed and cyclists would have to cross construction areas.

[dbb]

Work on the double sss turn of potential doom

The crews are beginning to construct what appears to be stairs from the trail to the top on the right side.

The wood posts and sonotubes suggest that they will build a wood deck and possibly wooden stairs up from the trail. That said, I may be jumping to the wrong conclusion. Stay tuned.

[consularrider]

Looks like someone didn’t like having his picture taken?

[Arlingtonrider]

Does anyone know when that part of FMR is expected to be temporarily closed for the bridge take down?

[Arlingtonrider]

Just saw where to find out more info about the project. Will post if I can find anything out about expected timing.

[CaseyKane50]

When I rode by this morning, they were laying gravel down on the new bike path. Earth moving equipment is still on the bridge removing the layers of dirt.

[dbb]

Late today I rode by the job site. There were some workers there and they told me that paving was scheduled for tomorrow.

While the lumber posts on the right side would seem to be supports for stairs, they seem to encroach on the hairpin turns. Puzzling. Guess I’ll have to stay tuned.

[PotomacCyclist]

The combined turn/stairway would be ideal for obstacle course races. Or bike football.

Maybe there will be flat sections on the stairway path, to give people a breather as they head up.

[Author]

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