[Starduster]

@CaseyKane50 223413 wrote:

The railings are nearly finished on one side of the temporary bridge along the Four Mile Run Trail at the power substation.

In the February 2023 Trail Conditions thread, I posted about a significant safety issue at the S. Eads side of this substation project. Their construction fencing takes up *most* of the available driveway ramp, and if a southbound cyclist bears right as we are taught to, they run the risk of hitting unprotected curbing head on. There is *nothing* to warn of this hazard. Mishaps have already occurred. I have submitted a repair request to Arlington County. If you also think this is an unacceptable hazard, please report it as well. Here: https://arlingtonva.qscend.com/311/request/add

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[Starduster]

@CaseyKane50 223413 wrote:

The railings are nearly finished on one side of the temporary bridge along the Four Mile Run Trail at the power substation.

Casey: Since you got far closer than I dared when I photographed this section- Is the deck material wood or something more durable and grippier? As always, looking for a better decking alternative for Trollheim on the MVT.

[Starduster]

For your information, the new entrance to the Air Force Memorial. The sidewalks suggest a degree of permanence.
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Approaching the section of Southgate that will remain after all this is over. More road furniture to provide entertainment value.
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And for good measure, we add injury to insult:
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This is what the entry to this detour looks like from the Henderson Hall Gate. I am not bothering with the sidewalk here. You?
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Once again, *please* use these images to petition the powers that be. Merci.

[Starduster]

And now, up the hill we go on the Columbia Pike-ANC detour. Once again, you are free to use these images to demonstrate the need for major improvements on this detour. Please. This is a federal project, so Arlington County has little say about it. One website- https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/projects/va/st-anc-1

The intersection of S. Joyce and the Pike. Almost no choice but to walk. Regrettably, this will remain until this section of roadway is removed.
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Up we go, using the dedicated route.
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To the first indignity. How many ways can you find to crash on a curb and/or way too narrow ramp?
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May I say that THIS SHOULD NOT BE?

When I last rode through here, I was able to ride the cemetery side of Southgate. No longer. We must use the sidewalk. A sidewalk blocked by “road furniture”-signage- all the way up (or down). The pedestrian up the hill ahead of me apparently said, “to hell with this” and is walking on the ANC side of the median.
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This gentleman took the lane. Pavement in the right lane is sound enough to take the lane downhill at speed. And if you can do a fast out-of-saddle climb the other way? Go for it. It just *might* be safer.
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But wait, there’s more.

[Starduster]

Good afternoon. Today’s construction detour updates, in three parts because of upload limitations. You are free to use all these images across two projects, to lobby the powers that be. Even though these are “temporary” detours, that does not mean we should “settle” for *substandard and unsafe*. Here we go:

Following up on the Dominion Energy substation project at S. Eads & Four Mile Run Trail, a non-destructive demonstration of the hazard mentioned on the last post:
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I *can* report some good news on the Pentagon Trail. Look at the pavement cuts- repair work has started.
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Continuing…

[Starduster]

Another update on Dominion Energy’s construction detour at S. Eads St. and the Four Mile Run Trail. My image from last week is below.

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As you see, Dominion’s fence took only half of the pavement area beyond, but nearly *all* the driveway ramp. What is left is narrow and on drivers left as you approach southbound. Since we are all trained to bear right when approaching oncoming traffic…you see the “unramped” unprotected curb, just begging to be hit. Now imagine this at night, without parked construction vehicles taking up the right side, and you cannot easily see the blunt curb. I just got a report that an evening commuter (someone I know) hit that unawares, and has a destroyed wheel to show for it.

Arlington County has a tool to report roadway and trail hazards. I have reported this. If you think this is an unacceptable hazard for us, please report it too. https://arlingtonva.qscend.com/311/request/add

[Starduster]

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An update, from Judd and Friends of The Mount Vernon Trail, on this construction project: https://mailchi.mp/b3ebc401141b/water-park-seismograph-and-upcoming-events-15797008?e=80ec2110dc

[Starduster]

@Steve O 223643 wrote:

Big thanks to the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail.
Evidently they were out recently smoothing the heaves on the VA-side connector between the MVT and the Roosevelt Bridge.

That usual teeth-chattering, butt-bouncing, lose-something-out-of-your-pannier descent from the bridge, although not quite what one might call “buttery smooth,” is 1000 times better.

Thanks FoMVT!!!!

Judd & co. were busy on this very section last weekend.

[Starduster]

@CaseyKane50 223415 wrote:

Work is progressing on the redecking of the West Glebe Road Bridge. Work should be completed this spring.

New deck

Sidewalk on downstream side of bridge

Sidewalk on upstream side of bridge

When I rode by here last week, I noticed that subtle rise in the middle of the path/sidewalk. Is that the dividing line between pedestrian sidewalk and bike path?

[Starduster]

@Starduster 223583 wrote:

Steve O: I was able to ride on asphalt all the way up- did not have to transition back to the sidewalk. Re-verified that today.

There is just that horrible “ramp” at the bottom.

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Horrible “ramp” cannot remain like this. Especially since this temporary detour will exist until 2025. Here is the latest info on this project from Arlington County: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Transportation-Projects/Columbia-Pike-Segment-A

And from FHWA: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/projects/va/st-anc-1

[Starduster]

@Steve O 223294 wrote:

The problem with this is that there is no curb cut. One must lift their bike onto the sidewalk. This is, of course, impossible for wheelchair users and extremely difficult for many heavier cargo- and e-bikes.

Steve O: I was able to ride on asphalt all the way up- did not have to transition back to the sidewalk. Re-verified that today.

There is just that horrible “ramp” at the bottom.

[Starduster]

OK, different topic, also from today’s ride:

The Doctors Run connector, from the intersection of S. 12th & S. Quincy, up and down through the woods where it connects to the illuminated school portion of this trail down to S. George Mason Drive. I believe this *is* a part of the 12th Street Bike Boulevard? Just two images to show that this section is badly degraded and breaking up, threatening to crumble down the hill.

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Who do we petition for repair?

[Starduster]

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[Looks up & goes, “huh?”]

The spirit of Saint Pete Beers moves upon the land. And in this forum. #dirt

There can be no other explanation.

[Starduster]

@consularrider 223417 wrote:

At least the construction trailer wasn’t parked there today further narrowing the space. I’m not sure what the delay is opening up the new detour. it looks like everything is done.

Today’s images from S. Eads and the substation project:

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According to Dominion Energy, this temporary boardwalk should be ready in February. https://www.dominionenergy.com/projects-and-facilities/electric-projects/power-line-projects/glebe

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Look carefully at the 2nd image- The construction crews have claimed fully half of the street, and most of the driveway ramp. At this moment, it’s actually safer for us that construction vehicles are narrowing the path where they are- this forces southbound traffic left, where the *only useable section of ramp* is. If we bear to the right…injurious mishap begging to happen.

Like any of the other construction detours I’ve highlighted, they are temporary. But we should not “settle for” *substandard & unsafe*.

[Starduster]

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…to use the bike detour downhill, cross over to the left of the barrier (next to the street sweeper). All of this of course subject to change.

P.S. The software rotated my portrait mode photos on me. Boo hiss. (Who knows how to fix this?)

[Author]

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