The NoMa BID presented a vision of an improved Metropolitan Branch Trail a couple of weeks ago, but that wasn't just limited to new and improved trail connections.
8th Street Bike Facility
One of the more interesting ideas was the addition of a bike facility, either a 10' wide side path or an 8' wide bi-directional protected bike lane, to 8th Street. Currently the trail moves on-road here along sharrowed lanes.
Lights
The lights on the Met Branch Trail, and their poor reliability, have been an issue for some time. The BID proposes replacing them with new fixtures (at no cost) or with electric-powered, as opposed to solar, lights (which would be much more expensive). They also propose transferring maintenance of the lights on WMATA property from DDOT (which is their responsibility, but which is not included in the current contract) to the NoMa BID or another non-profit.
Call Boxes
Though not without concern - cost being the top of the list - they recommend continuing to pursue the installation of police call boxes along the trail
Cameras
They also recommend adding security cameras to the trail (at locations seen in the image at right), but recognize that locations for mounting and funding are issues that need to be addressed.
Mile Markers
These were mentioned and rendered in the previous post on this, but the BID recommends adding mile markers to the trail or to markers along side it.
Conflict zone painting
Trail users complain about the difficulty of merging users at different speeds at places like Florida Avenue, N Street and the Rhode Island Avenue Ped Bridge. Pavement markings could be used to warn trail users and "joiners" and mark zones of conflict. Also a center line indicator could help.
New York Avenue Park
Though not much of a Park, the park just south of New York Avenue would do the best it could with what it has. Artistic lights under the bridge, a bench and some landscaping.
The 8th St NE cycle track is sorely needed. Cars have limited visibility to enter 8th St NE from side streets which often leads to close calls with an increasing number of bikes. Notably missing is the Monroe St NE underpass though, there are two trail sized access points on both sides of the current bridge.
Posted by: Zack Rules | July 01, 2015 at 01:32 PM
don't forget to mention that the "dew drop inn" (form. "chocolate city brewery") is to the left of the white map/sign in the 1st pic. will all this activity on/around the trail lead to a decrease in crime? i, for one, hope so.
Posted by: actor1 | July 01, 2015 at 01:56 PM
Continued development and other ways of increasing pedestrian and cyclist traffic will help with safety issues. One problem spot is the Safeway (Sanitary Grocery Co.) warehouse at T St. There's a stretch of the trail hidden from the street. A woman was attacked there last year.
There was a mini crime spree at Edgewood St.
The new REI store at Uline Arena will be a flagship store, with community activities such as local group runs, walks and rides. Presumably many of these activities would take place on the MBT. More group activities and more people on the trail at various times of the day can increase safety for everyone.
It would be nice to see redevelopment at other spots along the trail, such as at R St, T St and Edgewood St.
Posted by: Citizen | July 06, 2015 at 10:48 AM
An 8th St NE protected bike lane would be amazing!
An 8th St NE "Shared-use path" would be a sidewalk.
Posted by: Uptowner | July 07, 2015 at 10:05 AM
A sidepath is better than a sidewalk. Usually it's wider and the surface is made of asphault instead of concrete. On Penn Ave SE I use one going up the hill to 38th and it's far better than a sidewalk. [That was originally to be a bike lane, but then during construction it was changed into a sidepath due to "a pipe". Or so I've been told].
A raised and separated bike-ped facility is not a sidewalk.
Posted by: washcycle | July 09, 2015 at 09:35 AM