One week after the Shirlington Underpass opening, the most important lane of the new Wilson Bridges will open on Saturday June 6th - National Trails Day. I must've fallen off of the Wilson Bridge mailing list, because Dr. Gridlock got the scoop.
That lovely looking biking and walking trail on the north side of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the one that drivers keep asking me about, is scheduled to open June 6. After that, we just need to find some transit to put in the transit lanes and the original plan for the bridge reconstruction will have been fulfilled.
The bridge trail, 12 feet wide and 1.1 miles long, will offer great views up the Potomac River toward Washington and Old Town Alexandria. There are three bump-outs where people can get off the trail and stand by the railing or sit.
The plan had been to do WAGBRAD II on the day of the opening. But I have class on Saturdays (I was selfishly hoping this would happen after June 13th when I would be done with school), so it will have to wait. I'll surely miss both ceremonies. No word on what kind of official ceremony there might be - or if they'll give out commemerative coins like they did when they opened the automobile lanes.
Finally. Let's hope they open up the trail from the Parkway to US 1 too.
Posted by: Lars | May 03, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Is 'Active Transportation Lane' a fancy term for sidewalk?
Posted by: ontarioroader | May 03, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Yeah. Sidewalk makes people thinks it's for walking - and some people are adamant that bikes do not belong on sidewalks. Trail and Path sound like recreational tools.
Posted by: Washcycle | May 03, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Wasn't active transportation lane supposed to mean a bike lane? It's a great term (for something), but the word "lane" is confusing. Laypeople have enough trouble remembering the distinction between "bike lane" and "path".
Posted by: Jack | May 03, 2009 at 04:06 PM
I use it when referring to a lane - usually on a bridge - that's for both cyclists and pedestrians. That's why I don't use bike lane. Bike/Ped Lane is good too. And I guess if Segways use that lane, it's no longer active.
Posted by: Washcycle | May 03, 2009 at 04:09 PM
I am looking forward to WAGBRAD II: SON OF WAGBRAD!
Posted by: AJ Pasl | May 03, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Finally! I was just talaking to someone about it this weekend and drove by the "Road closed" sign on Saturday morning...
Interesting remark on the Segway. I wonder whether they would be allowed. Not active but also prohibited on the bridge. I ams till hoping Segway goes the way of Geo, Oldsmobile, Plymouth and Pontiac.
Posted by: Eric_W. | May 04, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Woo hoo! I hope this really happens. I remain skeptical. (Puts me in mind of Thomas Boswell quote about baseball in Washington, when the Nationals announced they were coming to town: I'll believe it after they finish the second game.)
Does anyone know: What happens when you get over the river into Maryland? Does the trail go through to National Harbor on the Maryland side?
Posted by: MVMike | May 11, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Yes on the Maryland side you go downstream along the river, then under the National Harbor Boulevard through a series of underpasses (or on to National Harbor itself), and then up the hill to Oxon Hill Road.
Posted by: Washcycle | May 11, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I rode it today, and it's a spectacular bridge. I did see two guys on Segways (in Segway Polo Shirts), and I scowled at them. They must hate living in "the future of transportation" and seeing everyone riding bikes like its going out of style, and nary a soul on a Segway. Dumb invention anyway.
Posted by: Will | June 07, 2009 at 07:40 PM