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@Steve O 161864 wrote:

As comparison, I count 33 access points on the Custis Trail along the 4 miles of grade-separated trail from the top of the Rosslyn hill to the intersection with the W&OD. That’s about 8 per mile.

That’s good to know. How many are road like crossings as I know that will come up.

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Here are the access points:

Access points to the shared use path parallel to I-66 shall be provided at approximately half mile increments. These locations may be co-located with other access needs to reduce the breaks in the sound barriers. The Developer shall coordinate with adjacent and nearby communities and local jurisdictions regarding the locations and design of each access point. Possible access points are in the vicinity of the locations listed below:
1. Braddock Rd at NW Quadrant of Route 28 Interchange. Underpass for connection to future trail to Route 28 north.
2. Audrey Dr (Cabells Mill Development, Centreville)
3. Connect to the standard turn at the end of Veronica Rd (Cabells Mill Development, Centreville)
4. West side of Stringfellow Rd connection to Park & Ride Lot and street crossing to east side of street trail
5. Fair Lakes Shopping Center (behind Target)
6. East Market Shopping Center (behind Whole Food Market)
7. Existing trail from Waples Mill Rd (NE Quadrant of US 50 Interchange)
8. Arrowhead Dr/Rosehaven St (SW quadrant of Route 123 Interchange)
9. Bushman Dr (just east of tennis courts property)
10. CedarLanenorthsideconnectiontoI-66paralleltrail
11. ConnectiontowestbendofYeonasDrive(westofSouthsidePark)

Other key information:

New bicycle and pedestrian path facilities and modifications to existing bicycle and pedestrian path facilities shall be designed in accordance with the standards and specifications set forth in Attachment 1.5. All new bicycle and pedestrian path facilities intersecting I-66, the associated Interstate ramps, or other roadway facilities as depicted on the RFP Conceptual Plans shall be grade separated (over or under) unless otherwise approved by the Department.

The Developer shall design a shared use path parallel to I-66 and that is consistent with the RFP Conceptual Plans. Where proposed noise barriers are to be located near homes, the path shall be on the I-66 side of the noise barrier. In addition a roadway barrier with fencing shall separate I-66 from the new pedestrian/bicycle facility.
Sound barrier design should periodically provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the shared use path along the north side of I-66. These access locations should provide adequate sight distance for bicyclists entering from the adjacent neighborhoods. These locations can be co-located with other access needs.

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@ursus 161368 wrote:

I have been wandering around the website from the original post in this thread. Is there something that discusses or illustrates what happens to the bikepath at vehicular entrances/exits to I-66?

http://www.transform66.org has a Fairfax County Bike trail ‘image’ / map but it’s not up to date. You have to dig into the VDOT maps to see it and even then it’s hard.

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@dasgeh 161700 wrote:

Looking at the maps (and I confess I didn’t look at every one), I didn’t see any connecting paths, even when the walls stopped. Infact, I saw a lot of places where vdot would add sound wall so that you have one continuous sound wall exit to exit.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Eleven non interchange access points have been identified. FABB met with VDOT and there was discussion about overlapping sound wall segments in leu of those access doors. We plan to pursue that more. Access is key for safety, convenience and connectivity. In addition, we are aware of a grant request by Fairfax City to build out some connectivity using monies associated with this project. Let VDOT and elected officials know your concerns.

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@honestmachinery 161785 wrote:

Interesting article. They don’t want build this. We can barely imagine using it. It is deliberately designed to scratch from the budget.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Nice observation…..please let VDOT and elected officials know you WANT it.

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@scoot 161695 wrote:

Is that right? If highway interchanges are the only access points, this trail will be even worse than I thought. I’ll have to look more thoroughly at the design. I do know that the interchanges are anywhere from one to five miles apart. The longest gap between exits is from 29-Centreville to Sudley Road, about five miles.

Note too: the interchanges are all with arterials, and most of these arterials are themselves horribly hostile to bicycles and pedestrians. Trail connections to lower-volume streets that bridge over the highway without an interchange are desperately needed. Not to mention direct access into the neighborhoods and business districts that are near the trail.

Honestly, the Custis/W&OD from about McCoy Park to EFC is a 90% perfect example of how one can design a trail along a freeway ROW that offers a pleasant experience for almost all types of non-motorized users and is accessible to the communities it serves. The flaws of Custis/W&OD that we often complain about don’t begin to compare to the enormous problems with this asinine proposal.

How did Arlington successfully connect this trail into all of the neighborhoods it passes through? Perhaps it was easier because the highway took out so many homes that a lot of streets were left “one-sided”?

All the interchanges have access points and an additional 11 are listed in the documents. I’ll dig up the list but here is an early drawing that does include them. I believe the contract says at least every half mile for access.

http://outside.transform66.org/documents/201706PIM/OtherDesignBoards/Bike_Trail_Fairfax_County_v2.pdf

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@Steve O 161768 wrote:

Even if true, why can’t the utility ROW be outside the soundwall, too?

Probably just don’t make engineering sense……

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@mstone 161610 wrote:

So why does VDOT use 42 inch walls to protect cars from cars, but only grudgingly increase 24 inch walls to 36 inch walls to protect pedestrians from cars? I think the person above who suggested that this makes it easier to convert to another car lane is on the right track.

In FABB’s meeting with VDOT the minimum is 32″ but we got the impression it will be 50″ like Wilson Bridge. We’d like to have the same sound barrier as the bridge has too vs. a chainlink fence. Let VDOT know.

As far as conversion to a lane, we were told the shoulder next to the wall will not be converted into a lane. No doubt the contractor would be upset as that would conflict with getting paying drivers. Might be in the contract. In addition, when inside the wall, the trail is on top of utilities – building a travel lane on top of that might make access impossible.

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@Steve O 161455 wrote:

This is infuriating!! Ostensibly, the whole point of “Transform I-66” is to provide a host of travel choices along the corridor. This very statement, “accommodate” exposes their hypocrisy. “We’re building this for cars, and we will ‘accommodate’ you other peons.”

Was that a quote from VDOT

New video has been posted with better representation of fencing but same experience exists….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4mqqon8Zmg

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@Judd 161422 wrote:

That sound wall is freaking amazing too. Incredibly quiet on the trail side.

Is that the plexiglass like wall?

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@n18 161358 wrote:

And after seeing the video, I don’t like it. We are blocked from seeing trees and birds with tall noise wall, so it’s not enjoyable, and only 2 feet tall barrier between us and cars, so it’s not safe. However; on the plus side, car drivers would be able to see us going faster than they are. Unfortunately, I can’t get to the meetings either.

The video is being updated. The wall at a minimum is 32″ but VDOT says the will likely install 50″ and fencing on top. Still not a great experience but better protection.

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@trailrunner 161356 wrote:

Seems like when I-66 gets plowed, a lot of the snow and ice from the freeway will wind up on the trail, making it unrideable until spring, and a mess throughout the year.

Does anyone have any experience riding over the Wilson Bridge during winter? What happens to the snow ? The bike trail there is not so different than what VDOT is proposing except no wall on one side….just awesome views of the Potomac.

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@ursus 161368 wrote:

I have been wandering around the website from the original post in this thread. Is there something that discusses or illustrates what happens to the bikepath at vehicular entrances/exits to I-66?

Per meetings FABB has had with VDOT, FCDOT and in talking with the head/lead engineer of the contractor – the trail will be grade separated at every ramp on all interchanges unless the trail exists onto a trail/sidewalk/etc. The trail does go on-road in some locations.

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@jonathankrall 113421 wrote:

“What do you need to know?”

First, great to hear about your proactive work in Fairfax. I have good info from this thread already, but would be happy to read more. The main thing I need to know is this: what do you want the public to know about family bicycling?

Also, because I am writing for alexandrianews.org, I still need to hear from Alexandria folk. I am seeking them out through other channels.

Well…..if you want to chat you know how to reach me. Can’t help as I live in Vienna.

I suggest you reach out to Trails for Youth re: SRTS in ACPS and the work they did there for 3-4 years.

Family biking: I think riding to school can be a catalyst .

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@jonathankrall 112989 wrote:

This month I’m writing about children, bikes, Kidical Mass, and bike to school day. I’d like to hear stories from parents about these. We all know the logical reasons to get kids on bikes, but I’d like to know what gets people to actually do it?

Jonathan Krall
http://www.alexandrianews.org/category/transportation-talk/

Jonathan

What do you need to know? Since 2009 I’ve been leading the charge in Fairfax County to get more kids to bike to school. I can share what FC schools have done and how it’s been furthered in some communities. Far too much info to write an email. I have personally not tried to get a KidicalMass ride in my area as I tend not to do those kinds of rides — for no real good reason……but hoped biking to school encourages others to simply ride their bike more.

Our school has been on Nickelodeon, NPR, Salud America, Washington Post, Fairfax Times, Bicycling Magazine, Patch, Nike……

Jeff Anderson

[Author]

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