March 2008 Arlington BAC meeting notes

Arlington Mill Connecting Trail - The County is considering several ADA compliant connector options to the Four Mile Run Trail from this redevelopment site.  None of the options appear acceptable since it would require large paved areas resulting in severe impact to this area of the Trail.  The switchback would be 300 feet long. The Four mile run trail itself is not ADA compliant since it has a number of steep grades.  The curb cut to Columbia Pike seems like the only logical alternative.  The sidewalk along Columbia Pike can be used to connect to the W&OD Trail on the other side of the bridge.  The W&OD Trail appears to be ADA compliant.

At the site there will be parking for 35 bikes for retail, 12 in the garage for employees and 67 for residents. 

Police and Bikes: Lt. Bob Medairos gave a presentation on bikes and pedestrians.  Bob’s data showed that the highest accident rates for bicycles and pedestrians occur in Rosslyn, George Mason Drive, Wilson Blvd. and Columbia Pike.  Most of the accidents occur during rush hour.  An average of two pedestrians per year are killed in Arlington. 

Police generally do not ticket bike/pedestrian violations except for dangerous situations.  Usually a warning is given. Children under the age of 15 must wear helmets.  For families who can’t afford helmets, the county has a distribution system.  The Police also hand out street smart pamphlets to drivers and pedestrians.  The Police do stop cyclists without lights at night and County has given out free lights for bikes. Police would like to see more training for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
   
Trail Issues: On the W&OD Trail there is a detour around the bridge near the caboose and soccer fieldl.  There was a complaint that the detour bridge to the Four Mile Run is in rough shape with high edges.  There also was a question why the rebuilt bridge is not open since it appears to be complete.

On the Custis Trial, the mirror is broken again.  The County may not replace the mirror due to its high rate of loss.  The BAC will check with W&OD Trail management to see if they have a solution to the problem. 

Master Transportation Plan, Bicycle Element: The rate of completion of bike projects in the MTP was changed to “as many as possible” instead of the 5 recommended by the BAC.

Updates on County and Other Projects:

● CIP funding presentation on Feb. 28: The plan for 2008 CIP is one major trail/year, one upgrade/year, three bike lanes/year and 150 bike racks at a cost of $750,000.  There will be no capital expenses in 2008 which disappointed the BAC.  There is no paving budget.  Some funding may be available from other sources at Parks

 

Regional Issues and Meetings: There will be a meeting of the stakeholders on the 14th Street project EIS.

There will be a VDOT meeting on the Washington Blvd. and Columbia Pike interchange.  It is tentatively scheduled for March 18.  A meeting has been called by the chairman of the Transportation Commission for a workshop on the MTP.  The meeting is scheduled for 8:00 PM on March 13. 

There is a plan to redesign Clarendon Park adjacent to Metro.  The plan is to do away with the Metro bike rack and lockers and replace them with 24-48 covered bike racks.  Some felt the lockers should be preserved.

Comments

Trees down crossing Custis Trail near Lee Hwy. and 66 (one near Big Wheel Bikes and another near the top of the switchback over 66).