There was a public meeting on June 6th for the Long Bridge Study (it was not on my radar and I did not go). There is some presentation material online, but it's hard to interpret without the presentation itself. This material has some photos and a schedule (final report in 2013) and here are the various alternatives presented without commentary.
There are 10 alternatives, including no-build. Only alternative 4 through 8 include a bicycle path. Each features a 12 foot wide bike ped path with - if the orange dots represent connections - connect at Long Bridge Park, the Mt. Vernon Trail, Ohio Drive on both sides of East Potomac Park, the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and in SW DC.
Alternative 4 starts in Long Bridge Park where a ramp passes under the railroad lines and goes up to the downstream side of the bridge. The path would be 12 feet wide along the side of the bridge and then ramp up above the rail lines to 12th street on the DC side.
In Alternative 5, the path would start beneath the railroad tracks in a tunnel it would share with the streetcar. Then it would cross the river and the channel on the downstream side before passing above the railroad tracks at street level all the way to what appears to be 9th Street (?).
Alternative 6 for cyclists would be the same as 5, except that the bike path would be next to a lane for auto traffic.
Alternative 7 is the same as 6, except that the tunnel and bridge are wider to accomodate another streetcar track and auto lane.
Finally, there's Alternative 8 which moves the trail to the upstream side.
The advantages of being downstream are a better view (since there are no bridges nearby to the south) and more sunlight - which will help with snow removal. On the upstream, users would not have to pass under the railroad. Otherwise I'm not sure of any advantages or disadvantages. It would really depend on what the connections look like.
Still, any of these options would create a great new connection between Arlington, DC and the trails along the river.
[Also, what's up with Google calling this "Box Car Willie Park"? Isn't it Hancock Park.]
RE: Box Car Willie Park I'm guessing somebody got cute with Google Mapmaker.
http://www.google.com/mapmaker
Posted by: Chris Slatt | June 11, 2013 at 08:36 AM
Crosswinds from prevalent winds funneling down the Potomac would also be less on the downstream side of the bridge. I've biked both Key and George Mason bridges. The winds on the latter are much more brutal. That probably also has to do with Key Bridge being higher above the water.
Posted by: Brendan | June 11, 2013 at 09:16 AM
8 looks way too wide
Posted by: JJJJJ | June 11, 2013 at 09:47 AM
If anyone has any questions, I was at the meeting. There was no presentation, but many consultants to answer questions.
The upstream vs downstream does connect at two different places in DC.
But the driving decision, will be because of the rail portion. They want to take the turn with the wides possible route, so the downstream side is better for the rail line.
Posted by: Crystal Resident | June 11, 2013 at 10:48 AM
I'm waiting for the "War on Boats" to be announced.
Posted by: SJE | June 11, 2013 at 12:24 PM
I'd be happy with dumping bikes at the circle at the west terminus of Maryland Ave. Any farther is just gravy.
Posted by: Brendan | June 11, 2013 at 01:27 PM
I'm puzzled about the proposal for a tunnel on the Arlington side. Are they going to run the tunnel through Long Bridge Park? If so, then it looks like it would pass through or under the new aquatics center. (Construction on the facility is scheduled to begin this fall or winter.)
While I'd like to see a bike connection between Long Bridge Park and the Mt. Vernon Trail, and maybe to D.C., I don't like the idea of a streetcar running through the park.
Even if the design manages to minimize the impact on the park, they would need to work on the design quickly. They would also need to coordinate with the Long Bridge Park team, so that such a tunnel can be incorporated into the aquatics center site from the very start. If they build the tunnel this year, that will avoid the mess of digging up the area around the aquatics center shortly after the facility is built.
Posted by: Michael H. | June 11, 2013 at 02:23 PM
Yep some idiot with only 1 edit went and changed it back in November of 2011 and it got approved (shouldn't have but standards were not as strict back then). DC GIS database still calls it Hancock Park. It also has poorly drawn borders. I will fix :) (it will take a bit to show up on actual Google Maps though) I will keep the Boxcar name but it will be marked as obscure so folks who are use to seeing it named that on Google will still be able to find it via search.
Posted by: John Pelletier | June 14, 2013 at 10:47 AM