DDOT Press release:
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will close the ramp to Beach Drive, NW, from Klingle Road, NW, beginning on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 7 am, weather permitting. This closure is expected to remain until May 2016.
The ramp closure is needed for DDOT to safely construct the new Klingle Valley Trail along the ramp to Beach Drive, NW. The work includes water quality filtration systems, drainage pipe replacement, earthwork, curb and gutter replacement, paving, and guardrail installation.
Motorists who wish to access Beach Drive from Klingle Road should take the middle ramp up to Porter Street across to Beach Drive. A paved walking path will be maintained along the ramp to Beach Drive to allow pedestrian access to the Rock Creek Multi-Use Trail. Signage and protective barriers will also be used to maintain public safety.
Motorists should expect minor delays while using the detour to access Beach Drive from Klingle Road. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are urged to stay alert and to obey all construction signs.
Good time for a check in on construction. The recent rain storm/snow melt provided the second test in three weeks of the restored segments of Klingle Creek. "Even in their unfinished and un-vegetated states, the step pools, bank armoring, and flow controls are working well"
For decades, the creek was diverted under Klingle Road through a series of pipe culverts, eventually emptying back into the natural creek bed further downstream. With the new trail requiring less space than the old road, the creek bed can now be aligned to follow a natural flow path. Additionally, the new channel will have significantly higher flow capacity than the previous stormwater pipe system.
Stream restoration work is nearing completion, and we are starting to prepare for the next phases of the project, to include roadway demolition, storm water and drainage construction, and trail construction.
It's not clear to me exactly what is being closed based on DDOT's description. There are effectively two Klingle Rds: the one that turns into Porter, and the one that turns into the forthcoming trail: http://i.imgur.com/9TUXi7a.jpg
Also, it is interesting that DDOT uses the term "motorists", almost seeming to saying that the ramp will not be closed to cyclists. Perhaps they are implying that cyclists who want to access Beach Rd can use the paved pedestrian path? However, the notice specifically says that pedestrians can use that path, but does not mention cyclists. Cyclists do get a mention in the final sentence, so they definitely have not simply overlooked non-motorized vehicles in this release...
Posted by: Atlas Cesar | February 22, 2016 at 12:47 PM
What's being closed is the piece of roadway that goes under Porter St right where it says "Klingle Valley" in green lettering on your image. I.e. the southernmost part of this interchange mess.
Posted by: MLD | February 23, 2016 at 08:44 AM
Ah that makes sense! Thanks for the clarification.
Posted by: Atlas Cesar | February 23, 2016 at 01:34 PM