[chris_s]

Good news! (again from Jonathan Krall)

Update: Bike lanes for Slater’s Lane were reviewed and supported by the Traffic and Parking Board, which means the city staff can go ahead and put them in (yay!). When speaking to the Board, Transportation and Environmental Services Director Rich Baier emphasized that the public conversation concerning the balance of cars versus bikes on the road will be repeated often over the next few years as Alexandria implements its Transportation Plan and its Complete Streets Policy. When speaking to me privately afterwords, he emphasized that the City Council is sensitive to the public on these issues, so continued support from the public will be needed as we build out the bicycle network.

[chris_s]

@Tim Kelley 31240 wrote:

The last rumor I heard was that there was some sort of munitions storage facility adjacent to the proposed path (which would just as easily be accessed by a car exiting 395…).

Stop ruining my dreams Tim. It would be way cooler if submarines were secretly lurking beneath the Potomac going to and fro at all hours on their nefarious spy missions before putting into port at the secret Pentagon submarine dock.

Munitions storage. Lame.

[chris_s]

I drove today also – knees are still aching from 50 States.

[chris_s]

It was great seeing so many forum folks (though I wish I hadn’t ended up in so many photos – time to limit my pizza and beer intake again!). It was my first 50 States Ride and almost triple the number of miles I’ve ever attempted to ride in one day. Sadly I didn’t quite make it to the end, my legs were cramping in a most unpleasant way and the AU pitstop was due to be closed before I manage to make it there so I bailed at the Tenleytown Metro (46 states isn’t bad!).

I learned a lot for next year (bring more than one water bottle, bring your own food, wear sunscreen, don’t be afraid to stop inbetween rest stops) and had a blast – rode parts of DC I’ve never even been to, let alone biked through. The marshals I saw did a bang up job helping people stay on top of the cue sheet, helping people through some of the backed-up areas with short light cycles and assisting with mechanical issues along the way.

[chris_s]

@Certifried 31973 wrote:

and a Rod Smith in front of me

and me next to Rod

[chris_s]

Unexpected inlaw visit means I get to do the 50 States ride rather than 13 colonies. The 2 year old gets to go to the National Aquarium with grandma. win-win

[chris_s]

I’ve been told comments sent here will be passed along to the traffic board:

http://www3.alexandriava.gov/contactus/mailto.php?id=181

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[chris_s]

When I rolled up somebody was already on the phone reporting it. Somewhere upstream of the Shirlington Rd bridge is all I could tell.

[chris_s]

Turns out I’m going to have the two year old in tow so it’s 13 Colonies for me. I should be tough to miss on my Blue Giant hybrid with neon-green iBert child carrier on the front (with raucous blondie boy in the seat) if anybody wants to meet up.

[chris_s]

I predict some senior citizen is going to take a spill on these and that’ll be the end of them.

Hmm…perhaps if a seniors group got involved now we could get these axed before somebody gets really hurt.

[chris_s]

@PotomacCyclist 31288 wrote:

There’s a marker on the map of proposed Arlington stations for Cherrydale, at N. Quincy and 20th St.:

I sent in an absurdly long email with feedback on the 2013 expansion (and encourage everyone to do the same); here’s my spiel on this particular station on the off chance it gets someone else’s wheels turning (so to speak):

Quincy & 20th
I understand the desire to put this right on Quincy bike lanes, but I’m afraid it puts it too far from anyplace anyone would want to go. 20th and Pollard are both fairly quiet residential streets – perhaps putting it at the Lee & Pollard intersection on the south side of Lee. Then you’re a much quicker post-dock walk to the strip centers in the area, the retail at the Bromptons and smack on top of any private event that has rented out the fire hall.

[chris_s]

When I rolled through at 3:45, the Shirlington Connector and Glebe Road underpass both had about 2″ of water in them. I suspect things’ll get there nasty fast if the rain starts pouring down again later this evening. Otherwise though it was a fun ride – I dodged the squall line nicely by delaying my departure about 20 minutes.

[chris_s]

@Tim Kelley 31204 wrote:

Unfortunately they don’t have black for bike lanes and sharrows.

I really wish Arlington’s map set off sharrows and lanes separately. Maybe dashed black for sharrows and solid black for lanes?

[chris_s]

@cephas 30533 wrote:

Does anyone know when the southern Humback tunnel trail will be finished?

Last official update I heard from Arlington County staff was that negotiations had stalled because the Pentagon has something there along the water that’s super top secret and they don’t want anybody to get near it. (the James Bond fan in me desperately wants it to be a submarine dock)

However, a project recently appeared in Arlington’s 10 year Capital Improvement plan which makes me think progress has been made:

Boundary Channel Drive Interchange
The existing Boundary Channel Drive interchange is inadequate for current demands and for planned growth in Crystal City. The addition of Long Bridge Park and the Aquatics Center accelerate the need for improvements at this location. Long Bridge Park Drive up to and through the interchange with I-395 and Boundary Channel Drive will be reconstructed to provide a safe and attractive environment for all modes of transportation, including bicyclists, pedestrians, buses, and vehicles. Project elements include new curb and gutter, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, streets trees and street lighting. Critical bike and pedestrian connections will be made from Crystal City to the Mount Vernon Trail. Two roundabouts will be constructed, which will serve as a gateway to the new aquatic center and Long Bridge Park. The redesigned interchange will improve safety and will be effective in managing emergency operations that occur frequently in that vicinity.

That project is scheduled to begin design in FY2013 and complete construction in 2017 (I recommend treating all CIP dates as extremely tenative)

[chris_s]

@Arlingtonrider 30973 wrote:

…no one appeared to be counting on the Four Mile Run Trail.

I’m pretty sure I saw a woman counting Four Mile Run at the Eads St intersection between the Water Treatment Plant and the Route 1 bridge.

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