"North Van Dorn Complete Streets"

[scoot]

@CaseyKane50 134743 wrote:

Here is information from the West End Transitway FAQ
…
– S. Van Dorn Street (except on existing railroad bridge and just north of Edsall Road) between Eisenhower Avenue and Stevenson Avenue): 12-foot wide multi use path on the east side
– N. Van Dorn Street from Landmark Mall Driveway to S. Holmes Run Drive: 10-foot wide multi use path on the west side
– N. Van Dorn Street from N. Holmes Run Drive to Sanger Avenue: 10-foot wide multi use path on the west side
– Beauregard Street between Sanger Avenue and Rayburn Avenue: 10-foot wide multi use path on the east side

As you noted, the gap will still exist between Sanger/Richenbacher and Braddock on Van Dorn. There will also be a gap between Stevenson Road and Landmark Mall Drive.

The strip between 395 and Van Dorn (from Braddock to Landmark) would be a wonderful location for a MUP, due to the lack of road crossings and the high demand for transportation along that corridor. In that respect it would be analogous to the Custis trail along 66. But these gaps need to be filled in order to maximize its utility as a transportation alternative.

Is there also a gap between N Holmes Run and S Holmes Run (i.e. the trail won’t bridge over the creek)?

[CaseyKane50]

@scoot 134749 wrote:

The strip between 395 and Van Dorn (from Braddock to Landmark) would be a wonderful location for a MUP, due to the lack of road crossings and the high demand for transportation along that corridor. In that respect it would be analogous to the Custis trail along 66. But these gaps need to be filled in order to maximize its utility as a transportation alternative.[/quote]

I think that might require significant engineering. VDOT widened 395, added a sound wall and a retaining wall, leaving no room to widen the already narrow sidewalk on the west side of Van Dorn. Perhaps, when that section of Van Dorn is up for repaving, the Complete Streets guidance will be applied to this section.

Quote:

Is there also a gap between N Holmes Run and S Holmes Run (i.e. the trail won’t bridge over the creek)?

Yes, but there is a possible solution coming. There will be a bridge crossing of Holmes Run at Ripley Street. In should be in place in 2017, likely years before any movement on the transit way.

[scoot]

Baby steps, I suppose.

With any luck, the public will:
1) see these new MUPs and start using them recreationally
2) wonder why they don’t connect
3) realize that bridging those gaps would empower them to make many trips by bicycle
4) add their voices to support allocating the money necessary to finish the project

[lordofthemark]

I drove down Van Dorn today. It looks like it would be difficult to route a MUP under Seminary between the the two places where Kenmore intersects Van Dorn. However that might not be necessary if Kenmore itself is deemed a bike route. You really need a connection, probably on road, from Braddock to the eastern intersection of z Kenmore and Van Dorn, and a MUP, which it appears there is room for, from the western intersection of Kenmore and Van Dorn to Sanger and Van Dorn.

[scoot]

Right, the Seminary underpass is the spot I thought might be too narrow to fit a MUP. But if that part of Van Dorn could be road-dieted, that would change the equation: there would be no need for a center turn lane anywhere between the Kenmore intersections. Or if two lanes are truly needed at peak, one could convert part of Van Dorn (say from Braddock to Sanger) into a three-lane road where the middle lane reverses depending on time of day, like Connecticut Ave, which would also make space for a MUP.

Kenmore itself is fine for bicycling, but you can’t cross Seminary.

[lordofthemark]

@scoot 134988 wrote:

Right, the Seminary underpass is the spot I thought might be too narrow to fit a MUP. But if that part of Van Dorn could be road-dieted, that would change the equation: there would be no need for a center turn lane anywhere between the Kenmore intersections. Or if two lanes are truly needed at peak, one could convert part of Van Dorn (say from Braddock to Sanger) into a three-lane road where the middle lane reverses depending on time of day, like Connecticut Ave, which would also make space for a MUP.

Kenmore itself is fine for bicycling, but you can’t cross Seminary.

Last night it was hinted that a connection might be made from Kenmore to Library, where there is a crossing. But that may depend on future economic development. Meanwhile it was confirmed that nothing would happen on the section of Van Dorn passing under Seminary when it is repaved, and the suggested route from Van Dorn and Braddock to Kenmore is on the sidewalk on Van Dorn.

On the positive side, thought is being given to a connection from N Van Dorn into Fort Ward Park.

[Fairlington124]

Ft Ward would get you to near Howard, which is a street I am comfortable riding on all the way down to Holmes Run Trail, but Jesus, Howard is over-engineered as well. Can definitely get the road diet treatment at least between Braddock and Seminary.

[lordofthemark]

Another public meeting on this.

http://www.thewashcycle.com/2016/03/alexandrias-north-van-dorn-could-get-protected-bike-lanes.html

Unfortunately I will probably not be able to attend due to a conflict.

[CaseyKane50]

The City presented their preferred option Tuesday night to a crowd of nine.

North Section
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South Section
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There were a few concerns about the impact of reducing the travel lanes on travel times. However, there was general consensus that the City’s preferred option was the right choice.

If you have questions about the plan, you can send email to raymond.hayhurst@alexandriava.gov and Hillary.Orr@alexandriava.gov

With this project, the City is very close to having the first protected bike lane in Alexandria. To ensure that this happens, you can support this plan by either speaking at the Traffic and Parking Board hearing on April 25, 2016 or by sending an email to Hillary.Orr@alexandriava.gov

[lordofthemark]

Latest word is they will do these as buffered lanes first, then add the protection later.

[CaseyKane50]

The Traffic and Parking Board approved the Complete Street project for North Van Dorn street tonight. Bike lanes will be installed with a portion to include buffered lanes. The speed limit will also be reduced to 25 mph from Braddock Road to King Street.

[CaseyKane50]

An update on the project. The pedestrian islands have been completed. Trees will be planted this fall.

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Pavement markings for the bike lanes are still being installed. Some of the buffered bike lane sections are finished.

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Reducing the 35 MPH section of the road to 25 MPH will be done when the construction is completed.

[Fairlington124]

I’ve seen some stuff at the intersection of Braddock and Van Dorn suggesting that they’re going to get started on that intersection, the last part of the project, soon.

[Fairlington124]

Workers have filled in the slip lane that used to lead from westbound on Braddock Road to northbound Van Dorn Street. You can see the concrete foundation that has been laid for a bicycle-only slip lane that will lead from the outside lane on Braddock to the new bike lane on northbound Van Dorn.

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