Mt Vernon Trail Closed at TR Island

[bentbike33]

This will be a major PITA for those trying to pass through caught unawares right at the TRI parking lot given the lack of nearby alternative routes. It would be helpful if they posted signs near Memorial Bridge, the DC side of the TR Bridge, and at the IOD.

[KWL]

The good news is it looks like we are really close to not needing the mulch detour. Here is the offending section.

[dbb]

This might not suck as much as it could.

I just looked at the trail count data for Monday-Friday, April 11-15, 2016 (last year before the disturbance)

Of the cycle traffic at the north end of the TR Island parking lot that went across the counter by 1 pm (the morning rush hour), the vast majority passed that point by 10 am.

Monday, 11 Apr 2016 – 301 cyclists by 1 pm – 84% of them had passed by 10 am
Tuesday, 12 Apr 2016 – 275 cyclists by 1 pm – 87% of them had passed by 10 am
Wednesday, 13 Apr 2016 – 583 cyclists by 1 pm – 80% of them had passed by 10 am
Thursday, 14 Apr 2016 – 546 cyclists by 1 pm – 79% of them had passed by 10 am
Friday, 15 Apr 2016 – 548 cyclists by 1 pm – 74% of them had passed by 10 am

While this closure is likely to annoy some cyclists, most will pass through during the “before” and “after” phase of the effort.

Good luck!

[rcannon100]

@dbb 158835 wrote:

I just looked at the trail count data for Monday-Friday, April 11-15, 2016 (last year before the disturbance)

Data…. it’s what’s for dinner.

[rcannon100]

@KWL 158831 wrote:

The good news is it looks like we are really close to not needing the mulch detour.

Awwww. I liked the cyclocross course.

[scoot]

@bentbike33 158811 wrote:

This will be a major PITA for those trying to pass through caught unawares right at the TRI parking lot given the lack of nearby alternative routes. It would be helpful if they posted signs near Memorial Bridge, the DC side of the TR Bridge, and at the IOD.

You would think that signage at key route decision points such as these might even be standard protocol if this were, I don’t know, an important transportation corridor or something… Maybe even announce the date in advance and put that on the signs too?

[dbb]

More details from the NPS GWMP.

To the BikeArlington question whether it is a closure or a detour, the NPS responds “Only a small section of the roadway will be closed. Trail users will be able to walk around the closure to access the rest of the detour. The goal of the flagger, who will be on the lower part of the ramp, is to notify trail users that they need to slow down as they’re rounding the corner.”

NPS is expecting that the notice from their contractor regarding the timing will be short – “assumption is hours, not days.”

[ursus]

@dbb 158846 wrote:

More details from the NPS GWMP.

To the BikeArlington question whether it is a closure or a detour, the NPS responds “Only a small section of the roadway will be closed. Trail users will be able to walk around the closure to access the rest of the detour. The goal of the flagger, who will be on the lower part of the ramp, is to notify trail users that they need to slow down as they’re rounding the corner.”

NPS is expecting that the notice from their contractor regarding the timing will be short – “assumption is hours, not days.”

That sounds more minor since depending upon recent weather, I have had to walk through the mulch already.

[Drewdane]

Good to know, I guess. I’ve been detouring across Key Bridge and through Georgetown, and enjoying the change of scenery.

[dasgeh]

Would it be that hard to put a sign at Lynn & Lee?

[bentbike33]

This morning, it seemed like the need for partial closure/flagman was past. The new asphalt went all the way to the bottom of the overpass. The new trail paving on the north parking lot segment of the trail looked complete, nothing left but to paint stripes. Traffic is still diverted to the MulchX course pending (I’m guessing) the completion of the missing link in the trail across the parking lot, which probably requires the parking lot re-paving to be completed first.

[bentbike33]

@bentbike33 158990 wrote:

This morning, it seemed like the need for partial closure/flagman was past. The new asphalt went all the way to the bottom of the overpass. The new trail paving on the north parking lot segment of the trail looked complete, nothing left but to paint stripes. Traffic is still diverted to the MulchX course pending (I’m guessing) the completion of the missing link in the trail across the parking lot, which probably requires the parking lot re-paving to be completed first.

Upon closer inspection this afternoon, there is only one layer of asphalt on the north trail segment, so there may still be a closure in the future.

[dbb]

BentBike is correct. From the NPS GWMP this evening:

“The work has not been completed.

The work that is discussed in this chain, that will require a temporary closure will happen on May 2.

The work that is being reported as done is actually the asphalt base.”

[TwoWheelsDC]

The full, paved trail was open this evening!

[video=youtube_share;Sj2Rr4-ssps]https://youtu.be/Sj2Rr4-ssps[/video]

[dasgeh]

Parking lot reopens today. And there’s been news coverage: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Mount-Vernon-Trail-Reopensin-Arlington_Washington-DC-424171734.html

[Author]

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