Upcoming Four Mile Run Trail closures

[Bike-Ped Manager]

Yes, the project has been delayed quite a bit. The developers who own the bridge and the land around it (yes, including the trail, FYI!) have had to totally re-do the schedule.
The first phase of trail closures are starting very soon. Probably this week.
The schedule (as of December 17, 2013) indicates the Potomac Yard section of the Four Mile Run Trail that runs between the Mt. Vernon Trail and Shirlington will be closed during most people’s commuting hours (5am to 7pm Monday thru. Friday; and 8:30am to 6:30pm Saturdays) until the end of March.
From late March to late June the trail will be completely closed to traffic.
A detour around the immediate work zone will be provided. But many riders may find it better to pick alternative routes to avoid the area altogether. A good alternate route for north and DC-bound riders coming from the W&OD trail and points west is to leave the Four Mile Run trail at S. Eads Street (at the water pollution control plant) and take the bike lanes north up to 18th St. S. From there go east on 18th Street S. to Crystal Drive where you can pick up the link to the Mt. Vernon Trail at the water park near the VRE station.
The official construction detour – which was designed for ADA compliance, not necessarily bicycles – diverts traffic off of the trail onto the Jeff Davis Hwy west side sidewalk and also at the new switchback ramps to cross US1 at the S. Glebe Road signal. Incorporated into the switchback trail is a flight of stairs that include a set of bike rails that cyclists can also utilize.
For the most up to date information, trail users are encouraged to check http://www.novaregion.org. The demolition project is being managed by the Potomac Yard Development LLC. Issues and comments should be directed to stephen.collins@pultegroup.com

[colleen]

Thank you for the update! That is really going to throw a wrench in my commute – coming from Old Town on the MVT, I use the 4MRT to connect to the WOD. Do you think the signed detour is the best route of those of us taking the 4MRT from the MVT to Shirlington, or does anyone know of a better route?

[DismalScientist]

@colleen 73767 wrote:

does anyone know of a better route?

That depends on a lot of things. What do you think of street riding? Hills?

You could take Potomac Avenue across 4 Mile Run and make a left on Glebe (the Arlington one) to Eads and back on the 4MRT to Shirlington.

Alternatively, you could take the Commonwealth bike lanes to Mount Vernon and cross 4 Mile Run on Mount Vernon and take the 4 MRT trail.

Or you could take the Commonwealth bike lanes to 4 Mile Run and the Alexandria side trail east to Route 1 or west to Mount Vernon to cross 4 Mile Run.

Or, if you don’t mind hills, you could take Braddock up to Farm road and continue on Gunston to the pedestrian bridge over 395 into Shirlington.

Use Google maps with the bicycling layer or local bike maps available here http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/maps-rides/ for more routing information.

[cyclingfool]

Coming from Old Town, if you’re comfortable riding with generally light, slow-moving traffic, you might want to consider going from your starting point in Old Town past Braddock Road metro —> Braddock Rd —> Mt Vernon Ave (or Commonwealth) through Del Ray —> Commonwealth Avenue to the end and pick up 4MR on the Arlington side by Rte. 1 and head west from there, like this:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3873631

You probably already know this, but Commonwealth has bike lanes almost the entire length and Mt Vernon Ave is sharrowed. Depending on where you are in Old Town you might just want to pick up Commonwealth down near King St metro and take it all the way.

That’s how I’d approach it anyway.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@consularrider 73445 wrote:

Since Wednesday gates have been erected that can close off the trail on either side of the bridge that will be demolished.

See my pictures of the gate at:
http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?636-OneEighth-Sighting&p=73761#post73761

[scorchedearth]

The gates were open as of yesterday evening.

[dbb]

@colleen 73767 wrote:

Thank you for the update! That is really going to throw a wrench in my commute – coming from Old Town on the MVT, I use the 4MRT to connect to the WOD. Do you think the signed detour is the best route of those of us taking the 4MRT from the MVT to Shirlington, or does anyone know of a better route?

How about the trail that runs from US Route 1 to Mount Vernon on the south side of FMR? Turn right at Mount Vernon, cross FMR and then grab the trail on your right, allowing you to go under Mount Vernon and continue on FMR to the W&OD.

[dbb]

I asked the project manager (Mr Collins from Pulte) to place traffic cones at the trail split on the west side to allow westbound cyclists to bail out to the Route 1 crossing without going down trail when blocked.

My note to them: “I noticed today that there were fence gates installed. Can you ask the project manager to also block the trail with traffic cones or something at the detour split to let trail users the gate is closed. The gate isn’t really visible at the point where the detour begins.”

Mr Collins’ response: “I did see it and asked our field personnel to address it yesterday. I … will follow up on it.”

Pain in the butt potential remains high.

[rcannon100]

dbb;74342 wrote:

i asked the project manager (mr collins from pulte) to place traffic cones at the trail split

what did i hear you say?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Arlingtonrider]

It would be awesome to have closure warning at the trail split. Thanks!

[Subby]

They really need to hang a high viz sign or two ON the gates. At night I could see someone plowing in to the gate when closed.

[Arlingtonrider]

I noticed that last night and thought the same thing. They need something large and with color that will be highly visible both day and night, esp. for those who don’t know about the trail closing yet. Just sent a note about that.

[DismalScientist]

Some indication of gate status at Eads would be welcome as well.

[dbb]

@rcannon100 74343 wrote:

what did i hear you say?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I fear that the good Mr. Cannon fails to appreciate my multiple personalities with respect to cones in that I have been waging a war (OK, maybe a skirmish) about the cones at the Jefferson Memorial and then I propose to use them here.

I would suggest that there is a time and place for traffic cones. This might be one of them.

[Arlingtonrider]

Received an email yesterday advising that the current expectation is that the closure will begin “around Jan. 23.” I’ll post if I hear anything further.

[Author]

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