[Fairlington124]

Sounds like some are trying to normalize the concept of a private interest capturing exclusive use of a public asset. We’ve seen this battle before elsewhere in the region.

[Fairlington124]

I would suggest that those speaking/writing in favor of the plan emphasize the slow-speed aspect. Many residents along King Street do not bike, and might even be negative towards biking following the King Street bike lane debate. If all they hear is about how the plan would make it better for bikers, they might sour to it, if nothing else, to spite the plan.

Rather, safety for pedestrians, namely children (TC Williams school) and the elderly (the soon-to-be Alexandria Memory Care at 2800 King) should be emphasized. Another key talking point should emphasize how the plan will slow down “out-of-towners” “cutting-through” on a “neighborhood road”.

I would advise that discussion about the biking facilities should be from a technical perspective (i.e. why flexposts are preferable to sharrow) as opposed to a normative perspective (the City needs to get more people biking and out of their cars).

[Fairlington124]

Quote:

This will vex the large number of commuters who cut through Van Dorn to avoid the constant congestion on 395 between Duke and King. Some of this traffic will probably switch over to Braddock/Early/Menokin if they think it will get them through the new 3-way stop sooner.

In relation to this concern, the talking points should double down on whether the City wants to look out for the best interests of its residents in the West End or long-distance commuters. It’s not Alexandria’s job to keep traffic on 395 moving. Degrade the speed on Van Dorn so much that even slow on 395 is better than at-speed on Van Dorn.

[Fairlington124]

Pro-project talking points should include “Represent Alexandria residents, not commuters looking for an alternative to 395”. Talking points can also include how slower vehicle traffic will better-honor Ft Ward. Also mention how the improvements could increase visitors to the fort. Maybe also frame it as a measure to counter “BRAC/Mark Center commuters”, that the streets are “for Alexandrians” and not Mark Center commuters.

[Fairlington124]

I think this will be good in the long-run.

Assuming that there is no community resistance, it will be a relatively pain-free way of implementing PBL facilities. Once that happens though, the precedent will be set for installing PBLs where are technically feasible…rather than debate an unproven or abstract concept, planners can cite PBLs, they can show photos of PBLs in Alexandria (rather than file photos from other jurisdictions), etc.

It also sets the precedent, I think, to have PBLs whenever possible on a Complete Streets repaving. Of course there will be instances where PBLs are not technically warranted, to say nothing of political considerations. But consider the fact that the City wants to install PBLs *as a matter of routine policy*, not some special project with large amounts of spent political capital.

Also, as usual, vehicular cyclists should not speak for all cyclists. I personally would be terrified to ride on the street on North Van Dorn, because the roadway invites dangerous speeding, and along with the hills and curves, is simply dangerous. It’s very annoying, to be honest, to be told a facility is unnecessary simply because one person in particular thinks it’s unnecessary for his needs. And this is coming from a confident cyclist.

[Fairlington124]

City posted some new materials (in addition to fixing the URL for the project).

http://www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion/info/default.aspx?id=88173

Posted a slideshow from 28 January

http://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/localmotion/info/gettingaround/2016-01-28%20N%20Van%20Dorn(1).pdf

At first glance, I like it. The aim is to:

1) Lower automobile speeds
2) Improve bike facilities
3) Improve pedestrian facilities
4) Modify intersections

1) Lowering speeds – classic “road diet”, that is 2×2 (thru-thru) down to 1x1x1x1x1 (bike lane-auto thru-shared auto left turn-auto thru-bike lane).
2) Pleased to see that the southern half of the projects calls for protected bike lane. Makes sense, as no curb cuts. Wish this would become a precedent. Bike lanes for the northern half, where there are curb cuts.
3) Improved crosswalk, ADA compliance
4) Removal of slip lane going from Menokin onto southbound Van Dorn, removal of slip lane going from Braddock to northbound Van Dorn. Interestingly, the project appears to keep a slip lane for bicycles going from Braddock onto the planned Van Dorn PBL. Would this be the first-ever bicycle slip lane?

[Fairlington124]

On a possibly-related note, what about a more comprehensive system of reporting on road/trail conditions? Right now it is ad hoc, that is, somebody writes as they see something they believe to be noteworthy. Perhaps a more systemic initiative to report at least on the major trunk routes, so that this stuff can be better documented and monitored.

[Fairlington124]

How about schnellfahrradweg? Fast bike path.

[Fairlington124]

You should have strung him along by keeping just a hair above his pace, but close enough to him so that he might think he could catch up with you.

[Fairlington124]

There’s a bald eagle hanging around here.

Saw him at 12:43 PM today (24 December). The map describes where we were (red dot) and where he was…the orange line was his path, and the orange dot is where he perched. He had a fish in his talons, so good for him I suppose.

Ironically, the closed-off trail (which branches to the right/east in my map) would have let me get down right next to the tree where he was perched. I was so tempted to ignore the make-shift barrier, but I thought better of it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10289[/ATTACH]

EDIT: Also wanted to add that the mainline trail is open and fine. The only crap is a tiny bit of leftover work detritus. Downed branches from yesterday’s rain is more of an issue at this point.

[Fairlington124]

Quote:

The portion of King Street between Janneys Lane and Braddock Road is scheduled to be resurfaced next year. As part of that project, the street will be evaluated for multimodal improvements.

http://www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion/info/default.aspx?id=86423

This would certainly improve east-west cycle connections.

I also noticed that on page 7 of the Powerpoint (http://www.alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/localmotion/info/gettingaround/King%20Street%20Community%20Presentation%2011.17.15.pdf), it lists “Kenwood Ave Bike Facilities” as a “future project”. I don’t know what the scope of the Kenwood Ave project would be, but I presume sharrows/lanes.

[Fairlington124]

More reason why right-on-red needs to be banned by default, with exceptions made if officials can prove no danger to safety. I was hit by an illegal right-on-red (King+28th, “No Right on Red When Pedestrians are Present”) in the spring of this year so I have a personal motivation behind it.

[Fairlington124]

how long until some asshole on a road bike does speed runs around the loop.

[Fairlington124]

From an e-mail I got today:

Quote:

Good afternoon. I’ve met with the contractor and he has informed me that they will begin the Alfred Street curb ramp installation on Monday, November 23.

Thank you,

Christopher Balallo, P.E.
Civil Engineer III
City of Alexandria
Department of Project Implementation
703.746.4632 (direct)
http://www.alexandriava.gov

[Fairlington124]

Okay thanks to whoever disliked this post. If you don’t want information find it out yourself.

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