Draft 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program

Earlier this week, I published a letter from WABA  expressing disappointment with the funding for bicycle projects in the Transportation Improvement Program. The TIP was covered last November here, but there are some changes since then. It's quite a long list

Complete (Money has been Obligated)

• Garfield Park-Canal Park Connector (DC) - This project will establish an ADA-compliant pedestrian and bicycle connection below the Southeast Freeway that will link Garfield Park and Canal Park along the 2nd Street SE right-of-way.
• Matthew Henson Trail (MoCo) - This project provides for the final design and construction of an 8-foot wide hard surface trail within the Matthew Henson Greenway. Within the Greenway, it
  is to extend from Georgia Avenue to Alderton Lane, a distance of approximately 2.25 miles. Also included in this project is the construction of the trail within the Matthew Henson State Park where it is to extend from the Rock Creek Trail to Georgia Avenue, a distance of approximately 2 miles.
• Klingle Road Reconstruction (DC) - The scope of work is for planning, design and construction of a pedestrian and bicycle facility in the former right of way of Klingle Road with related environmental remediation. Local access for private properties in the Porter to Woodley section will be accommodated. Preparation of preliminary design plans and detailed plans and specifications of the project, as well as environmental remediation pursuant to Section 6018 of the Klingle Road Sustainable Development Amendment Act of 2008.
• Middle Anacostia River Crossing (DC) - Bicycle improvements

Delayed

• Silver Spring Green Trail (MD) - This project provides for the construction of a 4,500 linear foot urban trail as part of a roadway along one of the alignments under consideration for the Bi-County Transitway. The proposed interim trail includes as 8-foot wide bike path, and an adjacent 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk. The trail will travel through the Silver Spring CBD, along the northern side of Wane Avenue from Fenton Street to th Sligo Creek Hiker Biker Trail.
• Branch Avenue Metro Access (MD) - Study to improve access from MD 5 (Branch Avenue) and I-95/I-495 to the Branch Avenue Metro Station. Phase 2 consists of improvement to the Access Road, pedestrian bridge and the County Road. Pedestrian/bicycle facilities will be included where appropriate.

New Projects

• Falls Road Bikeway (MD) - This project provides funds to develop final design plans to acquire right-of-way and construct approximately 4 miles of an 8 foot bituminous hiker/biker path along the east side of Falls Road from River Road to Dunster Road. The path will provide pedestrian and cyclist safe access to communities along the project corridor and will provide connection to existing pedestrian facilities to the north (Rockville) and to the south (Potomac).
• Father Hurley Boulevard Extended (MD) - This project provides for the construction of the final link of Father Hurley Blvd from Wisteria Road to MD 118 Relocated as a four-lane divided, closed section highway with future provisions for two additional lanes, and the construction of a bridge over the CSXT railroad, and retaining walls to minimize impacts to adjacent properties. Pedestrian improvements include an eight foot wide bikeway along the west side of the roadway and a five-foot wide sidewalk along the east side.
• Nebel Street Extended (MD) - This project extends Nebel Street 1,300 feet north from its existing terminus at Randolph Road to a terminus at the Target Store site. The proposed roadway
  includes a 4-lane closed section roadway with a typical cross section that includes four 12-foot travel lanes, a 5-foot concrete sidewalk adjacent to a 7-foot tree panel along the west side of the road, an 8-foot asphalt bike path adjacent to a 7-foot wide tree panel along the east side of the road, improvements at the intersection of Nebel Street and Randolph Road, and modification of the existing traffic signal at the intersection of Chapman and Bou Avenues.
• Redland Road from Crabbs Branch Way -Baederwood Lane (MD) - This project provides for the reconstruction of a segment of Redland Road including the intersections with Crabbs Branch Way and Needwood Road for congestion mitigation. The project includes a bikepath on the north side of Redland Road and the east side of Needwood Road.
• BRAC Intersections near National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda (MD) - Design and construct intersection improvements at key locations along access routes to Bethesda Naval Center. Bicycles and pedestrain facilities will be provided where appropriate.
• WMATA - Provides funds for rehabilitation, replacement, and expansion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Planned Transportation Improvements

DC

• Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
  
  • Trail connections from the South Capitol St. Bridge to Oxon Cove
  • A new bicycle/pedestrian bridge across the Anacostia River and associated trails to connect the National Arboretum and the Kenilworth Rec Center to Maryland Ave. and the Metropolitan Branch Trail
  • Trail connection from the Benning Rd. Bridge to the Bladensburg Marina Park on the east side of the Anacostia River
  • East Bank Trail: runs along the east bank of the Anacostia River between South Capitol St. and the CSX Railroad Bridge over the Anacostia River
  • Buzzard Point and Virginia Ave. Connections: On-street facilities (bicycle lanes and signed routes) and waterfront trails to connect other segments of the Riverwalk Trail to the National Mall, downtown Washington DC and other regional trails
  • Provide two bridges and associated trail connections to cross the railroad tracks on the east and west sides of the Anacostia River near Massachusetts Ave.
• District-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Management Program
  • Included in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Management Program is:
    a. Bicycle Parking Racks
    b. Bicycle Lanes and Signs (mark dedicated bicycle lanes, including signage)
    c. SmartBikes (a bicycle rental program)
    d. Bicycle Management Program (increase safety and convenience of bicycle travel by installing routes, signs, and racks to include widening of existing routes, curve realignment, reducing grades, and signage and lighting upgrades)
    e. Bicycle and Walking Encouragement Campaign (walking and biking will be promoted while alleviating traffic congestion and reducing mobile source emissions)
• Metropolitan Branch Trail
• National Recreational Trails Program
• Oxon Run Trail Restoration - Develop trail plan in cooperation with Department of Parks and Recreation. Repair existing recreational trail, correct drainage problems, and construct benches and signage.
• Rock Creek Park Trail - This facility is under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. This 12.6-mile project is designed to relieve congestion and reduce user accidents by widening the trail throughout the District of Columbia, including constructing a new trail from P Street to Pennsylvania Avenue on ridge above Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. Replacement of the low water bridge at Porter Street and construction of a bike trail along feeder roads that connect to the adjacent neighborhoods have been completed. In addition, the TEA-21 High Priority program includes funds to provide enhanced recreational trails (e.g. bike trail maintenance) along Rock Creek Park.
• Kenilworth Avenue Corridor & South Capitol Street Corridor - Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge Rehabilitation - Rehabilitation of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River and Little River to accommodate the many traffic movements and pedestrian/bicycle movements at the District and Virginia approaches and connections with E St. NW; Constitution Ave. NW; the Rock Creek, Potomac and George Washington parkways; and Route 50.
• Bike Lanes on Georgia Ave, Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave, Minnesota Ave
• Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements, Road Reconstruction Citywide, Great Streets, Safety Improvements
  

Maryland

• (Norbeck Road)/MD 198 (Spencerville Road) - Upgrade MD 28/MD 198 to a 4-lane divided highway from east of MD 97 to Old Gunpowder Road, and to a 6-lane divided highway from Old Gunpowder Road to I-95 in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Wide curb lanes will be included to accommodate bicycles. Sidewalks to be included where appropriate. An 8' Hiker/Biker path will be constructed along the south side from MD 650 to I-95.
• Rockville Pike - Construct an interchange at Randolph Road/Montrose Parkway. Sidewalks will be included where appropriate. Wide curb lanes will accommodate bicycles. A hiker/biker path will be included as part of this project.
• Rock Creek Hiker-Biker Trail Bridge
• Shady Grove Metro Access Road Bikepath
• College Park Trail - IV
  
• Montrose Parkway East - This project is a new four-lane divided parkway as recommended in the North Bethesda/Garrett Park and Aspen Hill Master Plans. The 5,100 foot roadway will be a closed section with a 10-foot wide bikepath on the north side and a 5-foot wide sidewalk on the south side. The project includes a 350 foot bridge over Rock Creek. The roadway limit is between Parklawn Drive on the west and the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Parkland Road on the east. The project includes the tie-in to Parklawn Drive and Veirs Mill Road.
• Burtonsville Access Road - This project provides a new roadway between Spencerville Road (MD 198) and the School Access Road in Burtonsville. This roadway will consist of two 12-foot lanes, closed section, for a length of approximately 1, 400 linear feet. The project also includes an eight-foot parking lane, curb and gutter, five-foot sidewalks, eight-foot hiker/biker path, landscaping, and streetlighting.
• Silver Spring Transit Center - The project also includes a realignment of Colesville Road, a new traffic light at the transit center entrance, connections to MARC platforms, and enhancement of hiker/bike trails. The design allows sufficient space for the future Purple Line transit system and for an interim hiker/biker trial that will be reconstructed as a permanent hiker/biker trail when the Purple Line transit facility is built in the reserved area.
• MacArthur Blvd Bikeway Improvements - This project provides bikeway improvements along 13,800 feet of MacArthur Boulevard from I-495 to Oberlin Avenue. To encourage alternate modes of travel and enhance pedestrian safety, the pavement will be widened to provide 2-3 foot shoulders to accommodate the needs of onroad commuter and experienced bicyclists. The existing shared use path will be upgraded to current standards. The project will also provide for spot improvements to MacArthur Boulevard to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
• Indian Head Highway - Reconstruct the existing MD 210 intersection at Kerby Hill Road/Livingston Road to a grade separated interchange. Bicycles and pedestrians
  will be accommodated where appropriate.
• Georgia Avenue - Construct interchange improvements at MD 97 and Randolph Road. Includes sidewalks where appropriate and wide curb lanes will accommodate bicycles.
• Rhode Island Avenue - This project consists of rehabilitating Rhode Island Avenue in three phases from MD 193 to US Route 1. Improvements will include constructing a traffic signal at Edgewood Road, traffic calming measures, intersection improvements, bicycle trails/shoulder lanes and the resurfacing of the roadway.

Virginia

• I-495 HOT/HOV Lanes - Bicycle/pedestrian accommodations included 
• Springfield Connectivity Study Improvements - Preliminary engineering/final design/construction of pedestrian and bicycle access improvements at the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.

Grouped Projects (All Virginia) - Some projects in the program are considered to be inappropriate in scale for individual identification in the TIP.

• Gallows Road on-road bike trails from Lee Hwy (Rte 29) to Old Courthouse Rd. (Rte 677) (3 miles)
• Study Holmes Run Trail from I-395 to Ripley Street
• Route 110 bike trail from the North Pentagon Parking lot to Memorial Bridge
• Fairfax County - Bicycle Racks, Lockers and Associated amenities
• Route 15 Bicycle/Pedestrian Facility from White's Ferry to Leesburg Town Limit (0.4 miles) and South King Street Multiuse Trail from Virts Corner to Governors Drive (1.4 miles)
• Alexandria Bicycle Safety Improvements and Trail Improvements
• Purcellville - Bicycle Access to High School and W&OD trail from Main Street to 100 feet north of W&OD
• Arlington County - Bicycle/Ped bridge over Four Mile Run
• Northern Virginia - Install Bike Racks
• Alexandria - Shared use path study from Telegraph Road to the Mount Vernon Trail
• Miscellaneous Bike/Ped/Bus improvements in Fairfax County
• Accontik Gateway Connector Trail from King Arthur Drive to Wakefield Park
• Fairfax County - Land Acquisition for Pedestrian Trail over the GW Parkway
• Herndon - W&OD Crossing improvements: Crestview Drive, Ferndale Ave. and Grace Street
• Herndon - Sugarland Run Trail from the W&OD Trail to Fairfax County Trail

Comments

[Jon]

Hmm. That's quite a lot to digest. A couple of questions and one observation.

*What is "College Park Trail - IV"?

*More generally, what does it mean if a project is listed under "Planned Transportation Improvements"?

*The Silver Spring Green Trail sounds nice, but I've found the on-street connections from the Sligo Creek Trail to the CBD (e.g. via Bonifant) perfectly reasonable -- and I'm not a particularly fearless cyclist.

[Washcycle]

I think College Park Trail IV is phase IV of the College Park Trolley Trail. But I'm not sure if Phase IV is the part that extends the trail north along Rhode Island Avenue from Paducah Road north to Route 1, the center section that connects Calvert Road to the Paint Branch Parkway, or the south section to Hyattsville.

Planned Transportation Improvements, I think, are things that have been in previous plans and are moving along as last stated without change (not new, not completed and not delayed).

The Green Trail will probably serve pedestrians more than cyclists. Although, as I recall, Wayne is on a steep hill so maybe going west from Sligo Creek cyclists will use it as a climbing lane.

[Eric]

At the TPB meeting today, an amendment was added to the TIP by Chris Zimmerman of Arlington that would require the TBP to determine which other TIP projects (those not in the bike/ped catagory acutally include biking and walking improvements, ie. if a sidepath is added at the same time a road is widened. The amendment also calls for a dollar figure to be put to the number so we can get a true sense of the funding for bike/ped projects that are approved in future TIPs.

[Bob Catlin]

College Park Trail IV is the City's missing link north to Paint Branch Parkway. It is the most expensive portion because it requires the road to be rebuilt, too. Construction in the spring of 2010, I hope.

A smaller segment in Lakeland connecting the two blocks between Pierce Avenue and Berwyn House Road in the Lakeland neighborhood is being designed now, too. That would complete the Trolley Trail in the City of College Park.