Richard Layman writes about the need for a regional bike plan.
One systemic problem with the DC bike plan is that it ends at the DC boundary. DDOT can't make PG County improve the connection to the Wilson Bridge or finish the Suitland Parkway or Marvin Gaye Park Trails. DDOT can't force MoCo to work on the Met Branch trail, or continue signed bike routes. And they can't force Virginia to connect the TR bridge south span bike/ped lane to something (anything) or build a better connection to the 14th Street Bridge.
The MWCOG is supposed to do regional planning, but Richard is right that it's lacking.
Last time I looked there is a portion of the Met Branch Trail in Montgomery County. The problems start at the District line, and there is no trail going across Piney Branch Rd to the Takoma Park Metro stop, and beyond.
Posted by: kenf | September 18, 2009 at 04:35 PM
True, there is a portion on Montgomery County. There is also a portion in DC. And DC is building another portion right now. And DC is designing a portion right now. MoCo is...not doing much right now. It will be interesting to see which jurisdiction (DC, MoCo or PGC) finishes their part first.
Posted by: Washcycle | September 19, 2009 at 01:52 AM
"And they can't force Virginia to connect the TR bridge south span bike/ped lane to something (anything)" -- True, and I wish Arlington County would do something about that. But can't DC put a sign at their end of this trail to the effect of "You probably don't want to use this 'cuz it doesn't go anywhere"?
Posted by: Peter | September 19, 2009 at 08:29 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't both the TR Bridge and 14th St Bridge connection issues a problem with NPS and not Virginia?
Posted by: Froggie | September 19, 2009 at 07:47 PM
I agree that the TR Bridge path is a joke in DC but it's also too narrow.
What exactly is the 14th Street Bridge supposed to connect to? The Pentagon will soon be accessible when the Humpback Bridge project is done. Crystal City can already be accessed easily.
Posted by: John | September 19, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Ideally the 14th street bridge would connect under the humpback bridge (there will be an underpass to the new one, but it won't actually connect to anything on the Virginia side) and it would connect to Long Bridge Park (which though planned is not a reality yet). I'm not sure how much NPS or the Pentagon is an issue, but it's certainly more under Virginia's control than DC's.
Posted by: Washcycle | September 20, 2009 at 03:07 AM