This is the tenth project on my 12-item Christmas wish list for DC biking projects.
#10 Connecting the 14th St. Bridge to the Pentagon and Crystal City
Cost: $15-20 million for the 'humpback bridge" reconstruction allowing for a connection to the Pentagon, less for the Crystal City bridge (part of the $100 million North Tract project)
Status: Humpback bridge project is in the presolicitation phase, North Tract is in final design phase
Probability: Both are pretty high, but in either project the bike portion could get eliminated
The 14th Street Bridge, or more correctly the George Mason Bridge, has a well designed pedestrian lane on the upstream side. It's safely separated from both the roadway and the water, has a wall that prevents debris from gathering on it and is wide enough for passing. On the Virginia side it connects directly to the Mt. Vernon Trail. It's an example of what other pedestrian lanes should be like.
Except that if you actually want to go into Virginia you have to either ride south to the Crystal City Connector Tunnel, North to the Arlington Memorial Bridge or cross at the dangerous pedestrian crossing to the Lady Bird Johnson Park.
Being able to cross the GW Parkway on either side of I-395 would be an improvement for those heading to or from the Pentagon, Crystal City or the Columbia Pike. Luckily plans are under way to provide both crossings.
There are plans in the works to rebuild the so-called humpback bridge just north of 395 on the GW
parkway. The new bridge (at right) will include a wider path for the Mt. Vernon trail and trail underpasses on both sides of the Boundary Channel. In addition the bridge will include a 3rd acceleration lane to allow for better merging from 395 South.
On the other side of 395, the North Tract Project is in it's final design phase and includes a bridge over the GW Parkway, a trail along Roaches Run and other bike pathways. There are numerous pictures of the three concepts here and even animations that are best described as cool.
Comments