Protecting the Crosswalk on the MVT at DCA

[dbb]

This photo shows the first crosswalk you come to as you ride north on the MVT towards DCA. To the right of the runner is an access road that leads to the longterm parking at the south end of the airport. To the left is a close off-ramp from the GWMP that is now a barrier farm dead end.

If we move a couple of jersey barriers to the airbrushed line on the photo below, the crosswalk would be protected from the turning vehicles. The airport could leave a 8-10 foot gap to allow access if necessary. The stop signs would then be eliminated.

I will attempt to find out who “owns” this piece of Arlington. Thoughts?

Topic

[Rootchopper]

Just behind the camera in the first picture is a nasty S curve caused by the orientation of the trail to avoid conflict with cars entering from the Parkway. Since this Parkway entrance has been closed off for 10 years I think it’s safe to get rid of the S. So the trail should angle to the left in the picture bypassing the S and connecting in a straight line. I don’t think Jersey barriers are needed here. A guardrail on the Parkway side should be sufficient and a sign that directs auto traffic coming from the right toward the long term parking area should work on the opposite side. It would be nice if the pavement were re-designed and some landscaping added too so this temporary and unsafe eyesore is removed for good.

[dbb]

Good add! Off ramp removal, trees and shrubs would add a degree of permanency to the decision. Thanks for the suggestion.

It would appear that the players include GWMP and DCA. I’ll check to see if Arlington has skin in the game.

This shows the abandoned off ramp from the GWMP to DCA. The nasty S turn is to the left in this photo.

[Dirt]

Almost completely off topic: I approve of your color choice used for the jersey wall location indicator. Thank you.

[KLizotte]

By straightening out the S curve, they can leave the tree standing as is (always a good thing), pave over a teeny weeny bit of grass, then tear up the curvy bit of the trail and replant with pretty stuff. Result: a safer, more environmentally friendly trail. Win, win!

And yes, NPS please get rid of those god awful barriers.

As a short-term fix, I think dbb’s idea is great. Talk about minimal cost for huge safety improvement.

[dbb]

@Dirt 24480 wrote:

Almost completely off topic: I approve of your color choice used for the jersey wall location indicator. Thank you.

I am not sure Dirt’s endorsement of my aesthetic might be considered positive:) With respect to color choices, he is something of a one trick pony.

[eminva]

If they aren’t going to use that exit ramp again, why don’t they tear up that pavement and landscape it? I guess this is the forgotten corner of the DCA property.

Liz

[mstone]

@eminva 24499 wrote:

If they aren’t going to use that exit ramp again, why don’t they tear up that pavement and landscape it? I guess this is the forgotten corner of the DCA property.

Probably don’t have that much unallocated money. Un-building infrastructure isn’t cheap. I can think of several facilities with entrances dating back to the days when labor was cheap that have been closed for decades, but just left to rot.

[Rootchopper]

If they sold all the Jersey barriers at this location and around the Jefferson Memorial, and a few bollards from the Wilson Bridge Bollard Farm they could fund the renovation.

Seriously, the original DCA renovation plan may have kept this ramp from the Parkway open. Or maybe they just ran out of money. They had to redo the control tower because the controllers couldn’t see the runways. (No lie.) That may have used up some money meant for other things.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@eminva 24499 wrote:

If they aren’t going to use that exit ramp again, why don’t they tear up that pavement and landscape it? I guess this is the forgotten corner of the DCA property.

Liz

Maybe they plan on using it again in the distant future. Or maybe the airport/charter service employees who park there now want to be able to keep doing so. There’s always an interest group for the status quo.

[Author]

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