Planes at DCA

[smb9600]

Hi Folks – Heading north on MVT this morning by DCA a plane was parked with it’s tail facing the trail and it’s engines running. This was in an area with no fence protection, and fortunately, I noticed the debris flying through the fence and slowed down. Still, it almost blew me over, and forced me across the lane, into the grass near the GWP before I was able to come to a stop. In the 3 years I’ve traveled on the MVT I’ve never come across this before – is this normal, or due to the high-traffic holiday travel? It seems pretty unsafe????

Topic

[honestmachinery]

The blast fence was recently removed. A replacement is presumably in the works.

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[Rootchopper]

Same thing happened to me on Monday.

[smb9600]

I’m guessing that must be part of all the work going on there?

[drevil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9oXVNXz8nA

[TwoWheelsDC]

It’s a new “winter warming area” for cold bike commuters.

[Erin Potter]

@smb9600 182999 wrote:

Hi Folks – Heading north on MVT this morning by DCA a plane was parked with it’s tail facing the trail and it’s engines running. This was in an area with no fence protection, and fortunately, I noticed the debris flying through the fence and slowed down. Still, it almost blew me over, and forced me across the lane, into the grass near the GWP before I was able to come to a stop. In the 3 years I’ve traveled on the MVT I’ve never come across this before – is this normal, or due to the high-traffic holiday travel? It seems pretty unsafe????

The next time someone rolls through this area– would you be able to snap a photo and share with me? I’ve been emailing folks at the County, NPS, and MWAA about the fence and what the replacement schedule is, and a visual would be very helpful.

[KWL]

@Erin Potter 183105 wrote:

The next time someone rolls through this area– would you be able to snap a photo and share with me? I’ve been emailing folks at the County, NPS, and MWAA about the fence and what the replacement schedule is, and a visual would be very helpful.

Will these do?

[Erin Potter]

I forgot to say thanks for the photos!

Also, anyone been by this recently and recall if this section of fence still missing?

[semperiden]

It still was missing today. I was honestly happy when I saw that it was gone because of visibility. A lot of people try to pass on that blind corner and I had a bad crash in that spot because of that. I realize not being blown away into the GWP is more important however.

[Erin Potter]

@semperiden 183348 wrote:

It still was missing today. I was honestly happy when I saw that it was gone because of visibility. A lot of people try to pass on that blind corner and I had a bad crash in that spot because of that. I realize not being blown away into the GWP is more important however.

Seems like you get a bit more visibility for a bit yet. Working with Arlington DES Bike and Ped Planning staff, I was able to raise the issue and learn that “It looks like some time before the fence will be installed. They [the project contractors] stated the fence supply will be over a week and discussing the design with the airport architect’s. ” He’s checking to see what might be able to be done in the meantime, too.

Thanks for looking out.

[bentbike33]

I don’t go through there too often, but my recollection is that what made it hard to see oncoming trail traffic was overgrown shrubbery rather than any structures.

[Judd]

@bentbike33 183374 wrote:

I don’t go through there too often, but my recollection is that what made it hard to see oncoming trail traffic was overgrown shrubbery rather than any structures.

There was a really large holly bush that made it hard to see around the corner there, especially if you’re riding recumbent. It was removed during work.

[ursus]

It looks like a bike share station has been installed there now. https://twitter.com/MtVernonFriends/status/1070388666458128386

[Judd]

@ursus 183378 wrote:

It looks like a bike share station has been installed there now. https://twitter.com/MtVernonFriends/status/1070388666458128386

There is indeed a Bikeshare station at Gravelly Point now. Gregory Matelsky took the honor of being the first person to dock there. He let me to be the first to undock.

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[KWL]

Dang! No black ones.

[Author]

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