Washington Boulevard Trail under attack.

[chris_s]

There has been some serious push-back on phase 2 of the Washington Blvd Trail from the Penrose Neighborhood Assocation and the Urban Forestry Commission due to number of trees impacted by trail construction. While I doubt anybody here would put themselves down as in favor of chopping down trees, I personally feel that the trail benefits would be worth the cost. I’ve put up a blog post on the subject if you’d care to peruse; please consider signing the petition at the bottom.

Thanks for your time,
Chris

Topic

[KLizotte]

Thanks for this. I’ve signed the petition. If they want to save trees (which I’m all for), let’s grass over a lane of Washington Blvd.

[dbb]

I urge everybody to read Chris’s blog post on this as it demonstrates decisions get made in the favor of those who show up. While I am not advocating hijacking a decision process, I don’t think most citizens understand the need for safe cycling routes and the benefits that accrue to the motorists by taking cars off the road.

If you are an Arlington resident, please consider signing the petition.

[brendan]

@dbb 24323 wrote:

If you are an Arlington resident, please consider signing the petition.

done and shared.

Brendan

[chris_s]

The Project Manager will be giving a presentation on the trail to the Penrose Neighborhood Association at their July meeting if anyone would like to attend and offer up a bicycle perspective in-person.

Tuesday July 17, 7:30pm
Trinity Episcopal Church (Wayne St basement entrance)
2217 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

[Tim Kelley]

FYI–the County has put up website on this here: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/ProjectsAndPlanning/capprojects/page86861.aspx

There have also been a couple blog posts from the cycling community on this topic:

http://ballston.patch.com/articles/build-the-washington-boulevard-trail

http://www.commuterpageblog.com/2012/07/the-tree-hugger-meets-the-bike-hugger.html

http://www.alongthepike.com/archive/2012/07/03/bike-trail-benefits.aspx

Hearing from the public (even those on this forum who may not be Arlington residents) is the best way to ensure that this trail gets built. Check out the County page an leave your feedback on the “Give Us Your Feedback” link!

[KLizotte]

@Tim Kelley 26146 wrote:

FYI–the County has put up website on this here: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/ProjectsAndPlanning/capprojects/page86861.aspx

Hearing from the public (even those on this forum who may not be Arlington residents) is the best way to ensure that this trail gets built. Check out the County page an leave your feedback on the “Give Us Your Feedback” link!

Left a comment on the feedback page. I encourage everyone else to do the same.

[KLizotte]

Got this surprise response today from the comments I left on the feedback page referenced above in Tim’s msg:

Thank you for your support of the Washington Blvd. Trail project. We are currently working through some design modifications with the hope of reducing the expected tree impacts from construction. It is our plan to replant all the areas where trees are expected to be removed. As you identified the new trail will provide a very valuable connection between areas in the south of the County such as Pentagon City and Columbia Pike and the center and northern parts of Arlington. You may have noticed construction currently taking place on S. Joyce Street under I-395, that will also provide new trail connections that should benefit you in your biking to Clarendon.

Again thanks for providing your thoughts and words of support.

Ritch Viola
Planning Section Supervisor
DES Transportation Planning

[Arlingtonrider]

Comments submitted via feedback page. Thanks for the heads up. I hope lots of people write in and/or sign the petition.

[PotomacCyclist]

Interesting article today about how many trees have been or will be cut down for various road expansion projects.

http://www.wtop.com/654/2984728/I-95-Express-Lanes-Project-may-have-environmental-impact

Crews are removing 100 acres of trees and shrubs for the I-95 Express Lanes Project. For the InterCounty Connector, crews cleared 750 acres of trees and shrubs!

[chris_s]

Reviving this old thread. Tonight the new easement from the Navy was in front of the County Board for approval. The opposition turned out in force. The board ultimately approved it, but sounded uncertain on whether they would be willing to approve the construction contract when it comes forward in a couple of months. If the cycling community wants this trail, we’ll need to turn out to that board meeting and speak up for this connection.

[chris_s]

A couple of emails to countyboard@arlingtonva.us to the effect of “I heard you approved the easement for the Washington Blvd Trail the other night. Thanks! This is an important connection between the R-B corridor and the Pentagon City area and I hope it gets built soon.” would probably go a long way right now.

[rcannon100]

Done

[chris_s]

@rcannon100 95312 wrote:

Done

You rock! Thank you!

[Steve]

The notion that we shouldn’t create a bike trail because of environmental concerns is…..well……..(deep breaths).

[Starduster]

@Steve 95320 wrote:

The notion that we shouldn’t create a bike trail because of environmental concerns is…..well……..(deep breaths).

All the more reason to be *visible and audible* at the Board meeting when the construction contract comes up. Let us all know when, please…

[Author]

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