Plowing the MVT / Spoke with Rep. Beyer’s office….

[jrenaut]

Funding is something that can be overcome. Insane excuses, not so much.

[dasgeh]

Thanks for calling in. 1) Did you discuss the short plow option? If NPS clears all of the 27 Trail to the Pentagon (which already clears it), then they open one route to DC for South Arlington and Alexandria commuters. From what I can tell, NPS already clears some of this trail, so they’d only need to clear another 1/2 mile or so.

2) For the larger issue of clearing the entire MVT, what if Arlington and Alexandria chipped in? What’s the shortfall?

Or more practically, what if the Arlington crews just cleared the whole thing, and NPS and Alexandria reimbursed them — how much could they chip in, and how much does that leave on Arlington?

[Terpfan]

@dasgeh 112712 wrote:

Thanks for calling in. 1) Did you discuss the short plow option? If NPS clears all of the 27 Trail to the Pentagon (which already clears it), then they open one route to DC for South Arlington and Alexandria commuters. From what I can tell, NPS already clears some of this trail, so they’d only need to clear another 1/2 mile or so.

2) For the larger issue of clearing the entire MVT, what if Arlington and Alexandria chipped in? What’s the shortfall?

Or more practically, what if the Arlington crews just cleared the whole thing, and NPS and Alexandria reimbursed them — how much could they chip in, and how much does that leave on Arlington?

Hm, I didn’t think about them clearing the short version for the path over to Memorial Bridge, although that would be ideal to keep some form of commuting open to folks. She didn’t address any specifics financially wise, so not sure on the rest. I don’t see localities chipping in to help the fed out, but I think asking the fed to do something isn’t too far outside the realm of possibility.

[ShawnoftheDread]

One would think they could free up some funds by not plowing parking lots that are unused/useless in the absence of cleared adjacent trails. Like at TR Island and the marina. Though that might require thought that doesn’t seem to exist at NPS.

Never mind: I was forgetting the hordes of cross country skiers that traverse TR Island after every snowfall.

[dbb]

Here was the email I sent to the NPS on March 19. It went to the NPS on both sides of the river as well as to the regional director.

[ATTACH]8231[/ATTACH]

It suggests that by reallocating resources from plowing recreational area to transportation, we might get there at no additional cost. The graph shows the impact of the snow at the trail counter on the 14th Street Bridge.

So far, I’ve received no response.

[Emm]

@dbb 112769 wrote:

Here was the email I sent to the NPS on March 19. It went to the NPS on both sides of the river as well as to the regional director.

[ATTACH]8231[/ATTACH]

It suggests that by reallocating resources from plowing recreational area to transportation, we might get there at no additional cost. The graph shows the impact of the snow at the trail counter on the 14th Street Bridge.

So far, I’ve received no response.

Very good email, I like the use of statistics.

If they actually start plowing the MVT, I will lose my main reason for not participating in freezing saddles. The MVT is 4 of my 8 mile commute from Alexandria to DC, and I have not found a reliable way around it that doesn’t add a lot of length to my ride (something I’d prefer not to do in freezing temperatures).

[dasgeh]

@Emm 112775 wrote:

Very good email, I like the use of statistics.

If they actually start plowing the MVT, I will lose my main reason for not participating in freezing saddles. The MVT is 4 of my 8 mile commute from Alexandria to DC, and I have not found a reliable way around it that doesn’t add a lot of length to my ride (something I’d prefer not to do in freezing temperatures).

Would this route help you? As of this past winter, this route wasn’t entirely plowed, but all but about 1/2 mile of it was. On the theme of baby steps, if we could get NPS to consistently plow their parts of this route, would you be able to bike to work?

[Steve O]

While you were at it, did you inquire about the new proposal for HOT bike lanes on the MVT, too?

[Emm]

@dasgeh 112785 wrote:

Would this route help you? As of this past winter, this route wasn’t entirely plowed, but all but about 1/2 mile of it was. On the theme of baby steps, if we could get NPS to consistently plow their parts of this route, would you be able to bike to work?

I could make it work. It’s an extra 1.5 miles on top of my normal commute, but doable as long as it’s not too far below freezing…

[Author]

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