Potomac Yard Metro Station presents several bridge options for cyclists

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Alexandria's Potomac Yard Metro Station came out yesterday and for cyclists, the main relevant concern is about the location, number and completion date of various proposed bicycle-pedestrian bridges. [There's also much written about how the designs impact the views from the Mount Vernon Trail, but the impact is so small - and the presence of the road so large - that I have a hard time thinking any cyclists really care that much].

There are four build alternatives, none of which will impact current plans to build a multi-use trail from Braddock Road to Four Mile Run (which is to be completed next year) or a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the existing CSXT Railroad and Metrorail Line between Potomac Greens and North and/or South Potomac Yard neighborhoods; but on the latter the placement of that bridge and when it gets built is impacted.

In Build Alternatives A and B, the bike/ped bridge will be integrated into the design of the Metro station itself. In Build Alternatives B-CSX and D, the bike/ped bridge would be developed as a separate project by the City of Alexandria.

Build A would include two bridges, a bike/ped bridge outside of the Metro gates - with 24-hour access - on the north side and a pedestrian-only bridge within the Metro gates on the south side. The bike/ped bridge would connect East Glebe Road to Potomac Greens Drive.

Build B would shift the station north and with it the bike/ped bridge. It would also include two bridges, a bike/ped bridge outside of the Metro gates - with 24-hour access - on the south side this time and a second bridge to the Metro station on the north side. The bike/ped bridge would connect from just north of East Glebe Road to Carpenter Road.

As noted, there is no bike/ped bridge included in the B-CSX option, which relocates the CSX tracks to the west of the existing line to allow the station to avoid GWMP property and the Greens Scenic Area easement.

The B-CSX Design Option station would not include a bicycle and pedestrian bridge connecting the  Potomac Greens and Potomac Yard neighborhoods. Direct bicycle and pedestrian access from Potomac Greens to the Metrorail station along the east side of the Metrorail tracks is not possible without a permanent encroachment into the Greens Scenic Area easement and wetlands. Thus, a separate pedestrian bridge over the CSXT right-of-way and existing Metrorail tracks providing 24-hour pedestrian/bicycle access between the Potomac Yard and the Potomac Greens neighborhoods would be constructed as part of a separate City of Alexandria project.

Build Alternative D would move the Metro tracks to the west of the CSX tracks by elevating it. 

One pedestrian bridge over the CSXT right-of-way would be constructed simultaneously as a separate project by the City of Alexandria, providing 24-hour pedestrian/bicycle access between Potomac Yard and the Potomac Greens neighborhood.

Build D would allow for a bike/ped bridge outside of the Metro gates - with 24-hour access - on the south side of the station, passing under the tracks. It could connect to Potomac Greeens at two locations

I personally prefer Alternative D - from the standpoint of bike access - because it is the more direct route, with two connection options on the east side. Although, as the picture notes, this is not the final design.  

Comments

[Chris Slatt]

From a cost and ROI perspective, A and B are the only viable alternatives. I'd focus any feedback on those.

[Froggie]

Is there really consideration of extending a path over to the MVT on the north side of Potomac Green? That's a significant change from the meetings I went to a few years ago. And a significant reversal of NPS's position if true (they were opposed to new pavement construction in the past).

[T]

It's going to be A because laying new tracks out there will not be cheap. The specific area they're talking about in B is actually a swamp. You would have to fill that in to make it work and I just don't see them getting environmental approval for that.

I think it would be really nice if they connected over the GWMP. It would also make the marina there Metro accessible. However, I highly doubt they will do this :(.

[bobco85]

I personally prefer D because I think the raised tracks will better serve people on the west side of the CSX tracks, even if it's only a few hundred feet closer. I think it will be more visible (and enticing) to residents/shoppers at Potomac Yard.

none of which will impact current plans to build a multi-use trail from Braddock Road to Four Mile Run (which is to be completed next year)

Unless you're referring to something else, the trail connecting Braddock Rd to Four Mile Run (along Main Line Blvd and Potomac Ave) was recently completed, the last part being a spur from the end of Main Line Blvd to Braddock Rd.

[ACyclistInThePortCity]

A. My reading of the EIS exec summary leads me to believe that Alt B will be chosen - the cost is higher, but it will get a higher developer contribution. This is all about the development. The only real obstacle is NPS, and NPS says they are willing to cooperate (see the WaPo story)
B. The big thing for cyclists is the sheer increase in density of activity with the new development.
C. As bobco points out the Main Line trail is now complete - the last bit of it by Braddock road was done the other day. All that remains is a decent connection to the Braddock metro station, and City of Alexandria is contemplating aggressive solutions to that.

[washcycle]

Between A and B I don't really see much difference if we're just looking at the bike/ped bridge. Perhaps in B, a cyclist using the Metro bridge will be able to ride up to the platform before having to dismount. If so, that's the better option (when cycling is all that's considered).

Froggie, I don't think there are any plans to connect Potomac Green to the MVT. Sorry if I wasn't clear. It would be nice, but I'm not even sure you need one. It's not much of a detour to connect at Slater's lane or via the Four Mile Run Trail. If they wanted to make Dangerfield Island closer, they could extend a trail along the line of Marina Drive to the existing trail east of Carpenter Road. Then cyclists could either cross when there is a gaps in traffic, or heaven forbid, they could turn that into a signalized intersection - perhaps button controlled.

[Jonathan Krall]

Thanks for this. My big concern with this project is phrases like this: "pedestrian bridge over the CSXT right-of-way and existing Metrorail tracks providing 24-hour pedestrian/bicycle access." Note that that bicycle access is being provided by a "pedestrian bridge".

I haven't been to the meetings lately, but at every opportunity, I've asked if cyclists would be allowed to ride over the bridge. I was told either "no" or that it hasn't been designed yet.

The entirely of the Potomac Yard development has zero dedicated bicycle lanes or paths. They are all shared with pedestrians (the MUP) or with cars (sharrows on Mainline). The development philosophy in Alexandria towards people who ride bicycles is inconsistent at best and misleading at worst.

[Casey Kane]

A minor nit - the area is called Potomac Yard.

The trail from Braddock Road to Four Mile Rin is essentially complete and is open for use by pedestrians and cyclists. The contractor needs to install landscaping, irrigation and furniture along a short section of the trail by Braddock Road. Additionally, the final top coat of asphalt will be installed the first week of May.

It is now an easy connection from Crystal City and Potomac Yard to Old Town Alexandria and the Mount Vernon Trail. Take the Potomac Yard Trail to Braddock Road, turn left onto Braddock Road and then bear right onto West Street and then left onto Pendleton. Follow Pendleton into Old Town and the intersection with the Mount Vernon Trail.