Roosevelt Island Parking Area Modifications

[bobco85]

Going on my experience passing through there and KWL’s pics, here’s what the layout appears to be:

Combined – Normal MVT (green) & Detour route (pink)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13790[/ATTACH]

Normal MVT only
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13791[/ATTACH]

Detour route only
[ATTACH=CONFIG]13792[/ATTACH]

(I made up my mind and decided to go with DrewDane’s recommendation to keep new updates on this more comprehensive thread)

[Tania]

The green and pink combined view is super helpful – thanks! But now I too worry about drivers turning into the parking lot (although thankfully I’m usually coming through there fairly early in the am and the afternoon). It could get worse as the weather gets nicer though.

[bentbike33]

@Tania 155201 wrote:

The green and pink combined view is super helpful – thanks! But now I too worry about drivers turning into the parking lot (although thankfully I’m usually coming through there fairly early in the am and the afternoon). It could get worse as the weather gets nicer though.

I seem to remember seeing the makings of a lane-blocking device near the entrance to the TR Island parking lot. If there is any rationality involved in this project, they should be resurfacing the entire parking lot as well as rebuilding the trail, and if they are resurfacing the parking lot, it will have to be closed. So hopefully mulch-riders will only need to worry about drivers breaking through the “Parking Lot Closed” barrier. Although, given that this morning there was a driver attempting to take the Potomac Heritage (Hiking) Trail shortcut to Turkey Run Park, it may be more of a worry than it ought to be.

[KWL]

@Drewdane 155189 wrote:

Honestly, I think this thread is more comprehensive and thus more useful.

I agree. And here is the latest photo of the mulch. Looks like we are ready to be detoured. Monday morning???

It’s hard to see from the photo, but there is a nasty little dogleg a ways down the detour. That and the tight entrances at the Rosslyn ramp and at Tollheim are going to make this an interesting reroute.

[KWL]

@Drewdane 155190 wrote:

What I saw closely mirrors Alternative 4, which is listed as “dismissed” in the NPS powerpoint, so maybe it is a temporary mulch trail. I suppose time will tell.

It looks like the detour was positioned so the permanent trail could be constructed as shown in Alternative 3, with the trail running between the parking lot and the Potomac. I guess we’ll find out in a few days.

[chris_s]

Well the nice thing is we’re all very prepared what with NPS being SO communicative.

[chris_s]

@KWL 155290 wrote:

It looks like the detour was positioned so the permanent trail could be constructed as shown in Alternative 3, with the trail running between the parking lot and the Potomac. I guess we’ll find out in a few days.

I will be absolutely astounded if they are building anything other than Alt 1.

[Kitty]

This is part of my daily commute, so I know the area intimately. In all honesty, so long as it continues to be such a densely traveled part of the MVT in terms of pedestrians and equally narrow, I wouldn’t be surprised if cyclists continue to opt to ride through the parking lot rather than mix with all of that.

To that end, even just repaving the parking lot would be great! It’s in pretty rough shape. I’m sure the cars are confused by the pathing the bikes choose through the lot, but its to avoid the worse breaks in the pavement!

As for the wood chips, well, I’ll give it a few days… but if it gets to be too much of a pain (or a hazardous no-go in the dark as I’m using going through there at night and there’s no light in that lot) I’ll take a different bridge than Rooselvet…

[huskerdont]

Does anyone know if the detour was in place this morning? I usually go that way in the afternoons, but between getting mulched with my 23s and going through Georgetown, I’ll take Georgetown.

[Tim Kelley]

As of this morning, it sounds like the contractors have not been given the notice to proceed yet, as there is still some decision making to be made about the parking lot. No other details are currently available.

[CaseyKane50]

Parking lot will be closed starting next week.

From WTOP.

Along with realigning the trail, the park service is raising and widening it, as well as putting new curbs and gutters in the parking lot, the park service said in a statement.

Pedestrians will still be able to get to the island, and bicyclists on the Mount Vernon Trail will be able to use a detour to get around the construction, the park service said.

[chris_s]

The full press release:

WASHINGTON – On March 1, the National Park Service (NPS) will begin a project to repave the parking lot and re-align the Mount Vernon Trail at Theodore Roosevelt Island. To ensure visitor safety, the parking lot will be closed until the project’s completion, expected to be late spring. Pedestrians will have access to the island throughout the project, and cyclists can bypass construction via a short detour on the Mount Vernon Trail.

In addition to re-aligning the Mount Vernon Trail, the NPS will raise the trail slightly and widen it in places. The parking lot will have new curbs and gutters for better water drainage.

Mount Vernon Trail users accessing the trail by car should use the parking lots at Daingerfield Island and Columbia Island, or consider nearby public parking options. The closest parking to Theodore Roosevelt Island is in Rosslyn, a 15-minute walk from the Island.

Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved multi-use trail stretching from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. The trail is a hub for recreational activity and connects with regional trails including the Potomac Heritage, Custis, Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge trails.

National parks in the national capital region provide exceptional outdoor trail experiences that help people enjoy nature and history, while providing safe and enjoyable opportunities for people to walk, run, bike, commute and have fun with friends and family.

[KWL]

The detour has not been opened as of this morning. Freezing Saddles Neon Green™ runoff barriers have been laid where the realigned trail crossing would be under Alternative 1. It is fascinating to see this project unfold.

[KWL]

@chris_s 155681 wrote:

The full press release:

WASHINGTON – … The trail is a hub for recreational activity and connects with regional trails including the Potomac Heritage, Custis, Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, and Woodrow Wilson Bridge trails…

Well, it is a “hub for commuting activity” for me. I know people have been working hard to have the NPS view the MVT as more than just a recreational trail. Apparently we aren’t there yet.

[Tim Kelley]

Here’s is the final plan from the NPS:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]13930[/ATTACH]

(Posting since Dana is “busy”)

[Author]

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