Teddy Roosevelt Bridge (I-66)

[mstone]

@run/bike 55933 wrote:

If I were king for a day (and without making any major structural changes) I’d set up traffic flow like rock creek parkway – inbound only in the AM, outbound only for the PM rush. Two way at all other times. Pedestrians also not allowed during rush times. Of course I realize this would mess up a few reverse commuters going from DC to VA, but let’s be honest – probably 90% of traffic is coming in and other options exist.

There aren’t any great options. If I was king for a day I’d just take a traffic lane; how much difference would that really make to the traffic?

[bobco85]

As a cyclist, that bridge is a pain but is much more convenient than heading down to the Memorial and 14th St bridges and much nicer than dealing with Key Bridge/M Street traffic. Every time I go across it, I always hope that no one will be coming the other way because it is a little nerve-wracking (ESPECIALLY when the other person decides not to slow down). When there is no approaching traffic, I find it’s actually quite nice.

As a pedestrian, I’ve crossed that bridge maybe 2 or 3 times. It gives a really nice view of the Kennedy Center and Theodore Roosevelt Island. I find it quite pleasant because I don’t turn towards traffic when I’m on it, but I understand that like the 14th St bridge, it’s nearly impossible to hear a cyclist’s call (bell or even yelling) due to the sound of traffic.

Now, here are two things I don’t get: 1) the guardrail is built INTO the sidewalk and 2) drivers also get a 2-3 foot shoulder from the guardrail. I really wish they could put the guardrail in the shoulder, giving that extra little bit of space that really would make a huge difference for such a claustrophobic space. If they can widen the path for the bridge, I think it could lighten some of the congestion on Key Bridge and be a net positive for everyone.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I find it annoying, but given how few people use it, I tolerate it…particularly when my other option is going a mile out of my way just to play Frogger across the GWMP. I’ve been crossing it almost every day for the last six months, and with the exception of getting stuck behind some slowpokes, I’ve never had a problem. Widening the path somehow would be the optimal solution, but I think finishing off the trail connections on the downriver side would also help a lot. The cheapest solution would be to just put up some signs warning about passing cyclists and directing peds to stay to the right, but I don’t really expect that to happen any time soon.

[dasgeh]

Oh, it’s been discussed. It’s generally accepted as a yucky bridge. And don’t get us started on the downstream side of the bridge, and its trail to nowhere.

@bobco85 55938 wrote:

Now, here are two things I don’t get: 1) the guardrail is built INTO the sidewalk and 2) drivers also get a 2-3 foot shoulder from the guardrail. I really wish they could put the guardrail in the shoulder, giving that extra little bit of space that really would make a huge difference for such a claustrophobic space. If they can widen the path for the bridge, I think it could lighten some of the congestion on Key Bridge and be a net positive for everyone.

This. Every time I let myself think about this, I get really pissed. How little regard do you have to have for peds and cyclists to build the rail into the path, when there’s room on the shoulder? Also, oh how I wish that barrier were taller. As it is, it seems like it’s just the right height to topple a cyclist. So I try not to think about it. Look upstream. Enjoy the view. On days like today, enjoy the weather. On other days, see how fast you can get over it. Worst case, laugh at the cars stuck in traffic.

But, the bridge isn’t _that_ bad. You can pass oncoming traffic, just slow down. (When you watch other people, you can see that there really is enough room on the outsides and in the middle). Yes, it tests my patience to yell, yell and yell some more at peds (because while it’s possible to pass, it’s dumb to do it ninja style).

I used to want the bridge to be one-way too, but then I forgot something essential one morning, and had to bike back home. I was really glad the bridge was 2 way. Given that having it two way costs me at most a minute on any given morning, I don’t think it’s worth it. Also, based on the number of people I pass, a lot of people would be inconvenienced. Of course, completing the VA connection on the downstream side of the bridge would be a big help.

And I think joggers use it because it’s a nice long loop run. I’ve used it for that for lunchtime runs (back in the day when I did such things). I imagine others use it for the same reason I do: it’s better than Key (Gtown), Memorial (GW Pkwy crossing) or 14th (detour too long). I feel bad for tourists who think it’s a good idea to walk from the Kennedy Center to TR Island/Rosslyn. I’ve seen a couple families doing that, and they look terrified.

[thucydides]

I’ve biked across it for years now and frequently run across it, too. (Both for the simple utilitarian reason that I want to get to the other side.) It’s too narrow and I have plenty of stories. But overall it’s mostly fine.

Traffic has gone up a lot in the last few years but it’s still relatively light. I used to go a week without meeting traffic, now it’s a rare day. Passing an oncoming cyclist is no big deal in general, even with my dual panniers. I would argue the bigger problem is slowing down too much and becoming unstable. Passing cyclists going my way is more difficult so I don’t normally do it. I can’t say I’ve ever had much problem with pedestrians except when they can’t hear due to ambient noise combined with earbuds.

I loathe the short fence on the 66 side. To me that’s the most dangerous part. If someone does trip and lose control they’ll flip over that right into traffic.

The OP asked about the wider bits. I see people take advantage of those all the time, e.g., adjust their speed so that they hit the wide bit at an advantageous time. But, yeah, a proper trail would be at least as wide all the way through as the wide bits.

[kcb203]

I just started bike commuting downtown three weeks ago, and the TR bridge seems to be the best way (Falls Church to Custis Trail to TR Bridge to F or H to Penn. in front of the White House to NY Ave. eventually getting to 8th and I St.)

What I find more terrifying than the bridge are the people turning into the Kennedy Center across the sidewalk who don’t seem to look at all. And on the VA side, there’s always confusion at the intersection on the boardwalk because 95% of the traffic continues on the Mt. Vernon trail, but the trail to the TR Bridge appears to have the right of way.

[dasgeh]

@kcb203 55955 wrote:

What I find more terrifying than the bridge are the people turning into the Kennedy Center across the sidewalk who don’t seem to look at all. And on the VA side, there’s always confusion at the intersection on the boardwalk because 95% of the traffic continues on the Mt. Vernon trail, but the trail to the TR Bridge appears to have the right of way.

Yep. Those people are turning on to I66, so yes, they’re not looking for ped/bikes as they turn. I just assume they won’t look and get ready to stop. WB, you can take the street instead of the sidewalk, then either use that left turn (to the right of the cars turning onto the bridge) to get to the sidewalk, or go up to the raised ped crossing closer to the bridge. EB, you could also use that ped crossing to get into the roadway, which helps with visibility. I don’t bother, because I’m EB in the morning and I rarely see cars getting on to the bridge then.

Yes, you have right of way on the boardwalk. I’ve never had a problem with people not yielding when they see me coming, but I have had to, um, remind people that I’m there (“heads up” usually works). I slow WAY down when it’s slippery and/or very crowded, because I fear the troll.

[KLizotte]

I experienced the infamous TR bridge for the first time last night. Wow, it is really hard to find the trail leading to it; had to ask for directions and that whole area of weird intersection is very bike unfriendly. The crossing itself was mind-boggling in how poorly designed it is. I did encounter one ped but he moved into one of the cutouts so passing wasn’t an issue.

My condolences to anyone who has to use that crossing every day. Yuck.

[thucydides]

@kcb203 55955 wrote:

What I find more terrifying than the bridge are the people turning into the Kennedy Center across the sidewalk who don’t seem to look at all. And on the VA side, there’s always confusion at the intersection on the boardwalk because 95% of the traffic continues on the Mt. Vernon trail, but the trail to the TR Bridge appears to have the right of way.

This part right here has got me worried but for completely different reasons than for probably anyone on the planet. The way my kid logistics works has me biking about 3 days a week and driving 2. When biking home WB I bike along 25th (the street parallel to the Kennedy Center) and then turn left at the 66 on-ramp and then immediately right onto the trail. When I drive home I drive along 25th and then turn left and continue on to I-66. I’ve got this mortal fear that as I get older and spacier that one day I’ll either: 1) bike onto the I-66 on-ramp (i.e., not turn onto the trail but start heading onto 66); or 2) turn my car right onto the trail. Both would be bad though hopefully not dangerous to anyone as long as I don’t emulate some of the local citizenry by continuing on the bike trail. Of course I’d get stuck long before the bridge.

[Drewdane]

Oh, it’s not so bad. I’m comfortable passing pedestrians on the bridge with a LOT of warning and slowing down as much as possible, and I’m similarly comfortable passing oncoming cyclists/pedestrians/etc., also slowing waaay down, and moving as far to the right as possible; in my experience, oncoming traffic does the same, and everyone gets to keep going with a minimum of fuss.

I don’t feel comfortable, however, overtaking and passing slower cyclists except on the wide spots – when I’m stuck behind a slower rider on the bridge, I just grin and bear it until we’re on the other side. A whopping 90-120 seconds or so out of my day – Oh, The Horror! 😮

[DismalScientist]

Pepco is playing with the cables under the north sidewalk this afternoon. You are probably better off on the Key bridge today.

[baiskeli]

One option is to build a trail connection to the path-to-nowhere on the downstream side and make both sides one-way.

[Rootchopper]

The TR Bridge sidepath is worthy of a 3rd world country. I ride it every Friday morning from DC to Virginia and have to stop 5 times to let DC-bound riders by. Suppose we built roads for cars this way. Would it be acceptable?

Fixing the side path is probably not the solution. The bridge is an eyesore. It’s lousy for cars too. And judging by the underside that I can see from the MVT it’s in awful shape.

Wouldn’t it be great for everyone, if we blew it up and started over?

[Mikey]

@Rootchopper 63368 wrote:

The TR Bridge sidepath is worthy of a 3rd world country. I ride it every Friday morning from DC to Virginia and have to stop 5 times to let DC-bound riders by. Suppose we built roads for cars this way. Would it be acceptable?

Fixing the side path is probably not the solution. The bridge is an eyesore. It’s lousy for cars too. And judging by the underside that I can see from the MVT it’s in awful shape.

Wouldn’t it be great for everyone, if we blew it up and started over?

sounds like time to pitch a movie to Ahhhnold, and have it blow up in the movie. True Lies II anyone?

[vvill]

It’s definitely not an example of good infrastructure, but I still use it to go west most days instead of M St. If they could widen the bike/ped path by reducing some of the road shoulder (which is at one point the width of a breakdown lane), and obviously change the guardrail it would be a LOT nicer.

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