I don’t know who uses it. I didn’t think anyone really used that path, but maybe a few hardy souls do.
I guess the stub trail was added because it was easier to build in conjunction with the MVT improvements at and near the Humpback Bridge, when all of that was rebuilt and improved a couple years ago. Arlington has long wanted to extend that trail from the Humpback Bridge, along the Pentagon Lagoon and over to Boundary Channel Drive. The DOD has denied requests to allow the trail to be extended, for vague security reasons. There’s a small structure next to the lagoon, but a trail could easily be built outside of the fence.
The security argument doesn’t seem convincing to me. The security isn’t tight in that area. Anyone can just as easily drive, ride or walk on Boundary Channel Drive, next to the small building. The fence isn’t that high either. If the building were so vital, then why doesn’t the Pentagon have better security for it? It’s also pretty easy for someone in a small boat from the marina to ride right up to that building. I don’t know what the building houses.
Anyway, I think Arlington convinced the powers that be (FHWA, NPS?) to build that stub, or they may have done it themselves, as a hint to the DOD that there is demand for the trail extension. It’s up to DOD whether or not the trail is ever completed. Arlington still wants to complete the trail, but they haven’t received DOD permission to proceed yet.
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