Upcoming Four Mile Run Trail closures

[Starduster]

OK, we cruised by at about 11:10am. Still not open yet. It looks so close, though!

John @ Papillon Cycles raised this concern about the temporary stairs/switchback- has anyone actually gone flying off the stairs, not knowing they were there?

[chris_s]

Rumor is the trail may re-open this evening…

[Geoff]

@chris_s 89300 wrote:

Rumor is the trail may re-open this evening…

A nice thought. Have they installed the railings yet?

[cyclingfool]

I duno, but I got this email earlier through the Alexandria BPAC listserv.

All – this is not an official announcement, just a heads up for those that use Four Mile Run between Eads Street and the Mount Vernon Trail. According to the Project POC at Pulte Group on Friday, the work that caused the detour was almost complete. When I rode by there today about noon, I spoke with the project Foreman. He indicated that the detour should be removed and the trail re-opened by the end of the day today (Monday). If anyone rides this way tomorrow or later this week, let us know how the trail looks!
Thanks.

Jim Durham
Chair, Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

I may have to take a detour from my now standard route home to Del Ray through Crystal City to Potomac Avenue and go down on the trail to see if it’s opened up yet. Exciting!

[Arlingtonrider]

The pool is OPEN!!!

A little plant life clean up will be helpful, but otherwise it’s good to go.

As I was drafting this, Fast Friendly Guy stopped by and also introduced me to one of my Freds, who henceforth will be known as Paul. A very nice day today. Oh, and I also drafted off a guy in brown flip flops for a few miles. I’m easily amused.

[cyclingfool]

Yes, abundant plant life growing up through the cracks, but trail was open for business. Plenty of work cleaning up weeds for either the contractors or a work gang in orange suits overseen by a sheriff…

[bobco85]

Since I heard the good news on this thread, I decided to check it out. I saw quite a number of cyclists who didn’t seem to flinch at the trail being open again, so it looks like things are getting back to normal. Pics are below:

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from the eastern zigzag side

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lots of daylight now between the bridges

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possible ramp to extend to the west side of US-1?

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a bit of extra flora on the trail

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from the western side of the detour

[Dickie]

Bugger, was so in my own congested head this morning I completely forgot to skip the Eads detour and missed all the fun. When I did re-connect with 4 mile run I noticed more riders than normal coming from the previously closed section… then the light bulb went on in my head. I will have to check it out tomorrow before HDCC.

[consularrider]

This morning this section was open, but it was constricted by a work crew on the downstream side of the abandoned bridge that was not torn down working on the skateboard run. Wonder if they will eventually put a railing along that concrete strip.

[Emm]

This being open was the best way to go back to work post-vacation. The switchback is a PAIN when I’m riding with the 30-40 lbs of work stuff that I can’t leave in the office during a vacation.

I will miss the quiet peacefulness of Potomac Avenue in the morning…but there is no love lost between me and that switchback.

[scorchedearth]

I happened upon the path just as the worker was removing the pylons and decided to go for a test run. Everything seems fine. It’s nice to have that connection again however after discovering Potomac Avenue, I won’t be switching to Mt Vernon or Commonwealth for my commute because of a) insane drivers on Mt Vernon who pass me in Del Ray at 30mph and b) the bridge under the railroad tracks on Commonwealth is a pain.

All other times, those options will be nice to have again though.

[krazygl00]

And I was just starting to like that switchback. Kind of like a challenge. On Saturday I was able to navigate it, down AND up, while towing my daughter on her trail-a-bike. I was rather proud of myself

[chris_s]

@scorchedearth 89347 wrote:

the bridge under the railroad tracks on Commonwealth is a pain.

AGREED.

I used to come straight down Commonwealth, now I bail around Monroe and snake through the neighborhood to the Mt Vernon / Braddock Road intersection, cut over that 1 block of Braddock to the trail that parallels the Metro tracks. (I work by King St Metro)

[vern]

Great news! I can’t wait to try it out in about 45 minutes.

[dbb]

It was pretty sweet this morning. A little overgrown but quite passable.

Edit – Just sent a note to Arlington Trails for action

[Author]

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