Possible detour tonight from sidewalk along East Basin Drive

[DaveK]

@sjclaeys 23413 wrote:

What is the situation in the evening? Is Ohio Drive back to two lanes?

It was yesterday. The sidewalk is still officially closed as well.

[dbb]

About 1030 this morning, Ohio Drive was 1 lane heading towards the Jefferson.

Coming off the 14th Street Bridge, the NPS had a random traffic cone in the crosswalk (portable bollard?) from the trail to the sidewalk by the gift/snack shack in front of the Jefferson. I moved it out of the way and was taken to task by a Park Policeman parked in front of the memorial. He wanted to know why I moved the cone out of the crosswalk, suggesting it shouldn’t be moved because it was “there”. I explained it was in the way of the route the PP wanted cyclists to take (across the street in the crosswalk and up on the sidewalk) and he explained it couldn’t be moved because it had been placed there, not offering any purpose for the cone. I was starting to get flashbacks from my Philosophy 101 class when the officer tired of the exchange and rolled his window back up.

[dbb]

Drove by the construction site this afternoon and the temporary fencing is still in place. It isn’t clear if the trail will be open tomorrow but I’m betting against it.

The traffic cone in the crosswalk had returned as well – damn! It would appear I was a bit optimistic about the permanence of the changes. Maybe the cones exist to protect employee parking.

[5555624]

The trail was open this morning and no cone, at 3:00 a.m.

[dbb]

The fence is down and the signs appear to have blown away (the barrier blocking the sidewalk on the north side seemed to have pieces in the grass).

The hole is almost filled in and it appears that in a non-highway safety approach, the contractor repurposed some flags from a used car lot. Is there no adult supervision?

They are, however, colorful.

[consularrider]

@dbb 24182 wrote:

The fence is down and the signs appear to have blown away (the barrier blocking the sidewalk on the north side seemed to have pieces in the grass).

The hole is almost filled in and it appears that in a non-highway safety approach, the contractor repurposed some flags from a used car lot. Is there no adult supervision?

They are, however, colorful.

It’s a party place, or special viewing stand for the 4th of July fireworks?!

[dbb]

@consularrider 24189 wrote:

It’s a party place, or special viewing stand for the 4th of July fireworks?!

I suppose the correct word would have been festive!

[dasgeh]

@dbb 24182 wrote:

[IMG]Is there no adult supervision?

Ah… That’s the problem with NPS. No adult supervision. It must be run by a bunch of 16 year olds who just got their licenses and only want DRIVE FASTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT[/img]

[dbb]

The saga continues. These were taken about 1630 on 3 July.

I particularly like the bike tire track in the fresh asphalt patch. The fact that it is asphalt likely means that the contractor will have to remove it in the future and replace it with concrete.

At least the sidewalk/trail has been reopened.

[brendan]

Broken links?

@dbb 24277 wrote:

The saga continues. These were taken about 1630 on 3 July.

I particularly like the bike tire track in the fresh asphalt patch. The fact that it is asphalt likely means that the contractor will have to remove it in the future and replace it with concrete.

At least the sidewalk/trail has been reopened.

[dbb]

I was being an idiot. I though I would organize my Photobucket files and you are suffering from the results. Sorry. Will try to clean my mess up tonight.

[dbb]

Received from the NPS yesterday. I invited them to join us on the forum in my reply.

“Hi Dana, The work along East Basin Drive will conclude by the end of the month. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Eliza Voigt, AICP
Planner
National Mall & Memorial Parks”

I wonder if she does traffic cones?

[dbb]

Update from NPS this afternoon in response to my email this morning

“The detours around the project the past couple of days have been pretty bad. There is a massive mud area down near the basin that some are forced to walk/ride through.

Any idea when the effort will be completed?”

The NPS said

“Thank you and the bike community for your patience during this construction project. We anticipate the concrete sidewalk to be repaired (new concrete
poured) tomorrow, and for it to be open to pedestrians and bicyclists on Monday, August 27.

Eliza Voigt, AICP
Planner
National Mall & Memorial Parks”

[Arlingtonrider]

I’ll be so glad to see that gone! Thanks for the update.

The morning rides in have been mildly annoying, but in the evenings (although I know a lot of people heading south ride the road there every day), going around that one lumpy crater-filled corner with some cars speeding past about a foot away has occasionally added a little more adventure than I wanted! Monday sounds good.

[dbb]

For all riders on Monday in that area, please post any problems you may see with the restoration. I’ll consolidate them and send the list to the NPS on Tuesday evening.

[Author]

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