One reader reports that the following went out on the Palisades listserv from NPS
The contractor is working during a night time road closure of Canal Road from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am. Traffic is re-routed around this closure. The first closure should begin this week. If all progresses well the contract should be complete with all repairs in June. The CCT trail is slated to remain open during most of this process. We required the contractor to install a temporary bridge to serve the commuting public. There will be a closure of the CCT during the concrete deck demo (1-2, 8hr periods) near the beginning of the project and again during the replacement of the new concrete deck, after repairs to the steel superstructure (1-2, 8hr periods) near the end of the project. I am checking to make sure that weekly traffic information is getting out to the public. I will share with you the media outlets our regional office is utilizing.
It is our intention for the daily CCT commuter not to be impacted from 5:00am through 9:00pm time frame.
But this is a little unclear to me, and I can't find any more information about it, not on the CCCT website or DDOT or NPS. It's unclear where this "temporary bridge" will be or who will use it.
The message that went out to Palisades residents was signed:
Hope this answers your questions. If not please email me additional questions
or phone.
Thanks, Dan
Daniel Copenhaver
Chief of Preservation and Project Management Division
Acting Chief of Maintenance
C&O Canal Historic Park
National Park Service
Office 301.745.5818
Mobile 301.491.6023
It was a bizarre message, they say they want information to get out to the public, but the wording is so vague and cagey.
Posted by: contrarian | March 23, 2013 at 11:49 AM
I take it as a very good sign that there is a commitment to keep the trail open though I too can't picture what a "temporary bridge" would be.
Perhaps a rope bridge ala Indiana Jones?
Anyway - travelers in the downhill direction should come to a COMPLETE stop before proceeding onto the bridge.
Posted by: jeffb | March 23, 2013 at 03:36 PM
Its good to see that they are trying to be considerate about commuters.
It would have been nice if there were signs that announced, in advance, of the road closure. I saw the construction material, but no signs explaining.
It is my understanding that you will be able to use the temporary bridge after 9pm. Is that correct?
Posted by: SJE | March 23, 2013 at 05:12 PM
Those metal panels with the diamond shaped holes are the side panels for a Bailey Bridge, which can be erected in a matter of hours.
Posted by: dbb | March 23, 2013 at 06:34 PM
when will the damn thing be repaved??
the surface sucks.
Posted by: albert washer | March 24, 2013 at 01:51 AM