TheWashCycle: Biking and walking to DCA might actually become a thing

The Crystal City BID is funding a feasibility study for an improved connection between Crystal City and DCA.

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is in the middle of a planning study that may relocate the Crystal City VRE station to support larger trains and an island platform configuration in the pursuit of multi‐directional service. This relocation could bring the VRE station closer to the National Airport Metro station and presents a strategic opportunity to not only integrate the VRE station better with Crystal City, but to improve the physical connection between the VRE and Metro and between DCA and Crystal City with a direct pedestrian bridge or tunnel.

Project Objective: To directly link Crystal City with DCA and the National Airport Metro station via a context‐sensitive pedestrian connection that enhances economic development opportunities, strengthens the neighborhood’s hotel community, and offers new opportunities to link the thousands of workers and residents of Crystal City to a growing regional rail network

And there are specific calls out for bicycle elements

4. Additional Pedestrian/Bicycle Connections – Consultant shall determine feasibility of
designing the connection to accommodate bicycle traffic linking the on‐street bicycle network
along Crystal Drive with existing or new potential bicycle parking at the airport, Metro station,
and to the regional bicycle facility and recreational amenity along the Mount Vernon Trail.

I remain hopeful that Capital Bikeshare will get a station close to the doors of DCA, but if not, a better pedestrian connection from the closest stations in Crystal City would greatly help.