Underpass of Eternal Darknesss

[Tim Kelley]

Thanks. Steve, it sounds like you got further than this with folks though right? When was that?

[n18]

@n18 81833 wrote:

replacing the lights($20-$100 each)

More like $200 to $800 for the entire thing:

http://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-Outdoor-Lighting-PVL3-150S-18-BZ-L-Perimaliter-3/dp/B00CRBWUIA/

[mstone]

@n18 81833 wrote:

I think that these were supposed to be repaired by licensed electricians only.

because only a licensed electrician can do work of that quality…

[UnknownCyclist]

The students at Swanson are deeply disturbed as you trying to ruin their favorite prepubescent trysting spot.

[sjclaeys]

@Vicegrip 81782 wrote:

This is a question you need to answer not ask. I allways asumed you and your office was tasked to improve and promote biking. This would also entail your being an knowlage concentrator Have the answers or have the know how of what where and who to go to. Once that is established follow up and follow through. Something important like no lights on a section of what is our rt 66 is important In our car focused world we need someone that will lift the rug up when this kind of thing gets swept under in a fit of finger pointing

I think that this situation and others in the past shows what BikeArlington is and isn’t. BikeArlington is great at promoting bike riding, for which it does a great job. However, there is a difference between promoting bike riding and being an advocate for bike riders. The later doesn’t seem to be BikeArlington’s mission. If that is the case, then we should recognize this and consider whether there should be some kind of bike rider ombudsman within the Arlington government that can act as an advocate.

[rcannon100]

BikeArlington is not an advocacy organization. It is a contractor to Arlington County with the mission of educating and promoting cycling. It is under, I believe, Arlington Dept of Environ Services – and it is funded largely with federal like DOT money I believe.

If we have issues with Arlington County, we need to go directly to ArlCo to have them addressed.

Sometimes its a little confusing because BikeArlington can appear like it is Arlco, but its not – and its not an advocacy organization (like WABA, FABB, or a BAC).

What is BikeArlington? It’s classes, events, promotions, information, this forum, educational outreach —- it is pretty cool and they do a great job.

As for the Arlington cycling ombudsman, there is the Arlington BAC and there are people on staff in Arlco whose responsibility including cycling transportation. They meet regularly, like tonite! I believe this is right: David J Goodman Bicycle & Pedestrian Programs Manager Arlington County Dgoodman@arlingtonva.us

B

[Tim Kelley]

@sjclaeys 81846 wrote:

there should be some kind of bike rider ombudsman within the Arlington government that can act as an advocate.

Maybe like the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee? (http://www.BikeArlington.com/BAC)

It’s made up of resident cyclists and meets with staff on a monthly basis and advises the Arlington County Manager. A BAC meeting was held tonight, and there were a handful of forum members in attendance. More would always be welcome, of course.

[kwarkentien]

I’m confused by the reference to 4MR Connector under Glebe. Do you mean the short underpass under West Glebe Road or do you mean where it goes under I-395? I’ve never noticed a problem under West Glebe (perhaps I was paying enough attention) but it is dark under 395. Unfortunately, these locations are in a bit of a no-man’s land between Arlington and Alexandria due to a small incursion in the city/county line. Not sure who would claim the underpass under West Glebe but I am certain that the 395 underpass is in Alexandria (as are the gas station at the end of the connector and the properties to either side of it). Has anyone tried to contact Alexandria about this?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[sjclaeys]

@Tim Kelley 81849 wrote:

Maybe like the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee? (http://www.BikeArlington.com/BAC)

It’s made up of resident cyclists and meets with staff on a monthly basis and advises the Arlington County Manager. A BAC meeting was held tonight, and there were a handful of forum members in attendance. More would always be welcome, of course.

I appreciate the work of the Bicycle Advisory Committee, but it is just that, a committee that gives advice without the ability to implement action. The fact that Steve O. has had problems in getting the lights in the UED (Underpass of Eternal Darkness) fixed shows the limits of the BAC. I mean someone within the Arlington county government who has the responsibility and the means to communicate the needs and views of the bicycling community.

[rcannon100]

@sjclaeys 81893 wrote:

I mean someone within the Arlington county government who has the responsibility and the means to communicate the needs and views of the bicycling community.

Again: David J Goodman Bicycle & Pedestrian Programs Manager Arlington County Dgoodman@arlingtonva.us

[sjclaeys]

@rcannon100 81904 wrote:

Again: David J Goodman Bicycle & Pedestrian Programs Manager Arlington County Dgoodman@arlingtonva.us

OK, if that is the case, then why was Steve O. sent on a wild goose chase to find out who can fix the lights in the UED? Similarly, why does Arlington County parks & rec trucks continue to use the trails as their private highway, Arlington police tell cyclists that they should ride on the sidewalk instead of on Glebe Road, and any number of other instances documented on this forum where the county acts without considering the impact on cyclists? As I said before, Arlington County does a great job in building physical infrastructure for bikes, but the institutional infrastructure is lacking.

[Tim Kelley]

Just a heads up that the conversation about the lights at various spots around the County on VDOT owned property has been rekindled. No details yet, but just a heads up that Arlington County staff is looking into the best way to move forward with making keeping the lights on a sustainable practice.

[Steve O]

A few additional details.

The lights originally went out at the time they were widening I-66 at that point, about Oct-Nov 2011.

I am a member of the BAC and had several opportunities to raise this issue in our meetings and also in private conversations with Dave Goodman and the Parks rep to the meetings, Kevin Stalica. We have also been informed in these meetings that Parks performs a lighting survey every month to see which lights are working and which are not. If this is true, then they are most certainly aware that these are out.
Dave G gave me the name and number of the person in the county who handles streetlights. I had two phone conversations with him on separate occasions, neither of which was very satisfying. He pointed at VDOT and also sloughed off responsibility, because these lights are on a trail rather than a street.

I reported these lights on the new Arlington App a couple of months ago. It is listed as “in progress.” It has only 1 supporter, so feel free to add your support and comments if you like.

The BAC sent a letter to the County Manager in November requesting more attention to lighting at underpasses throughout the county, which specifically mentioned these lights among others (the 4MR ones also).

In one of my conversations with Dave G. I also suggested the idea of solar lights–not attached to the bridge–which would eliminate the need to coordinate with VDOT and Dominion. He was lukewarm on the idea, because it would be “new” technology that the County does not have experience with. It was just a conversation, not an official communication of any kind.

The lights have been targets of vandalism–hence the metal cages. They worked most of the time from when I started commuting through there in 2000 until fall of 2011.

I have not personally contacted VDOT; I believe that should be the County’s responsibility, since I’m under the understanding ArlCo is responsible for the maintenance of the lights. If that maintenance requires communication and coordination with other entities, then do it–don’t expect private citizens to figure out how to coordinate efforts among various government entities.

[Tim Kelley]

Thanks for the background and your email. Let’s see what comes out of things this time around!

[bobco85]

@Steve O 82087 wrote:

I reported these lights on the new Arlington App a couple of months ago. It is listed as “in progress.” It has only 1 supporter, so feel free to add your support and comments if you like.

Is the request still there? I just started using the app and was unable to find it near Bon Air Park or Westover Park.

[Author]

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