Rock Creek Trail Construction ? Bulldozer Sighting

[lauraemills]

I was on the Rock Creek Trail today and there was a bulldozer on the trail (totally blocking the trail) not far South of Pierce Mill.

(This section of the trail parallels the part of Beach Drive that is now under construction).

I thought they were going to work on the road first and then work on the trail, so I was a bit alarmed by this.

I mean, it was no problem just going off the trail and around the bulldozer in this section but still a cause for concern.

Anyone know anything about this?

Topic

[huskerdont]

Washcycle discussed this a bit the other day:

http://www.thewashcycle.com/2016/10/beach-drive-rehabilitatin-is-not-without-impacts-on-the-rock-creek-park-trail.html

“The trail will be adjacent to the construction site, and at various stages, the trail may be detoured or shifted.” Or just blocked with a bulldozer, apparently.

[DCAKen]

You can always notify the Park Superintendent about these blockages: rocr_superintendent@nps.gov

[DrP]

I thought that during the construction in Rock Creek Park, there would be detours for cyclists and peds, but it was largely closed to cars. So, today I decided to do a ride I have done many times, mainly Chain Bridge to C&O (south) to CCT to RCPT. All was good for quite a while (actually, I surprised by the detour in MD on the RCPT access trail from Jones Mill (some street there), but that was like 50ft and well marked). There was a detour shortly after the mill on to the road – very well marked – for a while and then back on the trail to cross to the other side of the creek. Then at the bridge back over the trail under Klingle, the trail was closed and there was no detour signs anywhere. The only option was to get on Klingle. I went east since that was the side the road through the park was on thinking I might spot a way back down. I spotted one, but it was actually blocked when I got down there. I ended wandering the streets of DC keeping the zoo to my right. When I reached Adams Morgan, I gave up looking for access to the park and took 18th until I could go no further and then took N to 21st to Constitution over towards Memorial Bridge. There were cops at every entrance to RCP.

I do plan to write to the Park Superintendent since the lack of route signs was quite surprising given what I heard previously. Traveling from the north, RCPT is basically not open south of Klingle. No idea if one can get further if starting from the south (assuming the cops don’t stop folks on bikes).

[DCAKen]

I’ve been hearing that the trail has been closed between the Parkway and Klingle on some Sundays. The project page only has a notice about a November 6 closing, but hasn’t had any additional updates. I commute through RCP every day and the entire trail has been open between 6 am and 7 pm.

I recommend writing to the superintendent (rocr_superintendent@nps.gov), but don’t hold your breath on a rely. I don’t always get a response to my messages about trail issues.

[secstate]

@DrP 149850 wrote:

Traveling from the north, RCPT is basically not open south of Klingle. No idea if one can get further if starting from the south (assuming the cops don’t stop folks on bikes).

There’s quite a lot of work on this section of trail, so there may be some unevenness in signing and, indeed, whether it is open. But I haven’t had trouble since construction began. It was open on Sunday evening, albeit with a diversion onto the road.

[DrP]

I wrote to rocr_superintendent@nps.gov yesterday after checking to make sure that there wasn’t a notice on the nps page (if there was, I would have written a slightly different note), mostly asking for them to have better signage. Suddenly tossing people, especially Sunday non-regular riders, into the middle of DC isn’t kind. Nice to know that it is open on weekdays for commuters – they are doing something right. They could still have signage on weekends. I would not be surprised if I received no response (I frequently do not receive one from NPS folks; I typically write about issues (trees, poison ivy, dead deer) on the MVT and get no response, but see that whatever it is has been taken care of). If anyone notices better signage, please let us all know. I am now loathe to even attempt the trail until it is done and that would be a shame since it is so lovely.

[DrP]

@DrP 149967 wrote:

I wrote to rocr_superintendent@nps.gov yesterday after checking to make sure that there wasn’t a notice on the nps page (if there was, I would have written a slightly different note), mostly asking for them to have better signage.

I actually got a reply. It was closed that Sunday (and many of them) to remove Ash trees that had been infested by Ash borers (did not want to be in the way of the construction crews the other 6 days of the week). Supposedly the tree work is completed and no more full closures. He pointed me to the web page for updates (which only listed the aforementioned 6 November date) and a way to register for text updates. He commented that it is hard to let everyone know.

I replied back pointing out that the web page only listed the 6 November closure and asked if there was a way to have those texts appear on the web page like many places post tweets (and to post a sign at the closure about how large a closure it is). I also suggested that they send information to the regional runner, hiker, and cyclist sites. I couldn’t name anything for runners or hikers, but I did mention WABA and this forum. I pointed out that I only knew of the closure because of this forum. If I hear more or see any changes, I will pass it along. Still not sure when I might try the route again.

[DrP]

@DrP 150306 wrote:

I replied back pointing out that the web page only listed the 6 November closure and asked if there was a way to have those texts appear on the web page like many places post tweets (and to post a sign at the closure about how large a closure it is). I also suggested that they send information to the regional runner, hiker, and cyclist sites. I couldn’t name anything for runners or hikers, but I did mention WABA and this forum. I pointed out that I only knew of the closure because of this forum. If I hear more or see any changes, I will pass it along. Still not sure when I might try the route again.

I got another reply. They are going to take my suggestions into consideration. So, if anyone notices texts or the like on the Rock Creek park page. THey might also try to contact this forum somehow or WABA.

[Author]

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