Summer work on the CCT

The Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail covers all the changes on the CCT that have been done, and what work there is still to be done, this summer.

The first to be completed was the reconstruction of the trail crossing of Little Falls Parkway. The trail has been realigned to replace the straight crossing with a crossing that has curves at the approaches at either side. The intent is to make trail users slow and turn toward approaching motor vehicle traffic before entering the crossing, to increase safety.

Darian Manley, the Park Police Chief, and Doug Burton, Parks Dept., came to the April CCCT board meeting to share sketches of a first plan. CCCT board members present suggested several very significant changes to reduce the proposed trail curvature and to reduce interference between trail and swimming pool pedestrian traffic. The Parks Dept. accepted the changes, resulting in a design that CCCT considers to be much improved over the first plan.

There was considerable negative reaction on some of the local cycling listserves when construction began. But now that trail users have had some time to see how the new crossing works, the response has become favorable for the most part. Some trail users have observed that motor vehicle traffic appears to be slowing more and yielding to trail users in the crosswalk more consistently than before

The other project is less controversial

The second project to be completed was the construction of a new trail access ramp at Brookeway Drive, at CCT milepost 5.5. The new ramp replaces a steep staircase and is ADA compliant. This ramp greatly improves access to the trail from the Sumner neighborhood.

And, starting soon, the trail will be restriped.

Comments

[Riley]

Glad to see that the portion of the trail passing thru Bethesda is receiving so much attention and funding. Less enthused about the sad state of the trail as it proceeds east from Connecticut Ave to Silver Spring. I suppose a rutted gravel trail is more acceptable among the working class environs of SS amidst the immigrant apartment blocks and used car lots. Not something to be tolerated alongside the leafy suburban streets of Sumner full of Mercedes and Escalades.

I grew up in Sumner Village - I get to snicker a bit. The difference in the county's time and attention to the trail between the Bethesda section and the Silver Spring section is both longstanding and deplorable. I have my place of business in Silver Spring within 100 yards of the end of the trail proper and commute from my house in DC to Silver Spring daily. I often use the trail to get to Bethesda. The trail can be as fast as driving the same distance during rush hour but the gravel section is downright dangerous at times with ruts caused by poor drainage, uneven distribution of gravel and uneven connection to the high bridge surface over the creek.

[Crickey7]

Don't you know that paving the Georgetown Branch section of the Trail would be an environmental catastrophe, with wholesale worm and insect death? Better to leave the trail undisturbed as it passes through the home of the proper stewards of the environment, the Columbia Country Club.

[diego]

the trail needs to repaved ABOVE ALL ELSE!!!!

when the hell will that occur?