The HOT lanes project in northern Virginia continues to wreak havoc on sidewalks. Dr. Gridlock points out
Braddock Road sidewalk demolition continues on the eastbound bridge. It's going to be a big detour for walkers. See it on this map. VDOT notes that pedestrians can also use Metrobus 17A, 17G and 17M across the Braddock Road bridge.
Seriously? That's the best detour they could come up with. They might as well put a sign at each end that just reads "Go home." You'll need Sacajawea with you to make to other end safely. My eyeballing of it is that a 0.6 mile trip is now about 1.6 miles.
This detour is for at least 12 months. Enjoy.
This is just one of 50 bridges to be rebuilt. Let's hope others go better. Or let's tell them to:
Steve Titunik,
Communications Director,
Northern Virginia Megaprojects Information Center
[email protected]
571-483-2591
Well, short of cancelling the project outright, it's not like there was a lot of choice in the matter. And sooner or later that bridge would have to be replaced anyway...with the associated sidewalk closure.
Posted by: Froggie | February 18, 2009 at 10:12 PM
They could find four feet for better pedestrian access somewhere on the bridge.
Posted by: washcycle | February 18, 2009 at 10:38 PM
"To make room for
the additional lane, the sidewalk will be demolished and pedestrians will be directed to use the
Wakefield Park bridge over I-495."
If they HAD to keep the sidewalk open - like pedestrian access mattered under the law - I'm sure they would have found a way.
Posted by: washcycle | February 18, 2009 at 10:40 PM
The one-way fare for Metrobuses 17A, 17G and 17M is $3.00 ($3.10 cash) because these buses run express to the Pentagon once they reach I-395.
I've asked Virginia's Secretary of Transportation to provide an on-demand shuttle service for any pedestrians who seek to walk across the Beltway at Braddock Rd. We'll see if that happens.
Yes, this bodes poorly for the replacement of other Beltway crossings in VA.
Posted by: Allen Muchnick | February 20, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Looking at the satellite picture they seem to be currently sidewalks to nowhere -- they end at the end of the bridge. There is a shoulder, but immediately before and after the bridge on both sides are double ramps to I-495 that pedestrians would have to cross to go anywhere.
I can't imagine the sidewalks get much use.
Posted by: Contrarian | February 20, 2009 at 11:15 PM