Last year, Gov. Hogan announced plans to replace the Governor Harry W. Nice Bridge over the Potomac. The bridge between Charles County, MD and King County, VA is the only Potomac River Crossing downstream of the Wilson Bridge. It currently has no bike/ped crossing, but the preferred alternative for the replacement has a 10-foot wide sidepath.
The proposed bike/ped path crosses beneath the bridge on each shore to enable bicyclists and pedestrians to transition to the appropriate shoulder of US 301 without crossing the highway. The bike/ped path allows users direct access to parkland in Virginia (i.e., Dahlgren Wayside Park and Barnesfield Park) and to the AquaLand Campground and Marina in Maryland.
In order to cut ~$200M from the cost of the project, they have begun favoring the practical design which reduces the path width to 8 feet and removes the shoulders. These two designs can be seen below along with the current bridge.
Maryland bike advocates have been told that the state now wants to go with the Practical Design without a bike/ped path, which will knock another ~$60M off the price tag
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build a bike connection across the bottom 100 miles of the Potomac River, a connection that could serve as an important link between the two states and as a critical piece of any long-distance bike routes in the area.
Though there doesn't appear to be a formal comment process at this time, comments can always be sent to the Governor, to Secretary of Transportation Pete Rahn or to Maryland or Virginia state and county officials.
[Alternate title: "Nice Bridges Finish Last"]
Not very nice of them.
Posted by: Alexandria Biker | September 21, 2017 at 11:54 PM
Not providing adequate space for non-motorized traffic is just dumb.
The engineering credentials of those proposing this, if they have any, should be revoked.
Posted by: Jeffb | September 22, 2017 at 11:05 AM
I worked at NSWC Dahlgren for 34 years and lived in Maryland, crossing the Nice bridge every day. I am currently an avid cyclist in PG and Charles Counties. I would love to be able to cross the bridge on my bicycle now and enjoy the view of the river in a more casual experience. I am a member of the Oxon Hill Bike Club of Maryland. Please keep the bike/pedestrian lane on the new Nice bridge.
Posted by: Michael Saizan | September 28, 2017 at 08:29 PM
Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) recently announced a new website with more info about the bridge designs and a place for comments until February 20. The website is http://www.newnicebridge.com.
MDTA will soon ask for bids on two options: a bridge with a barrier-separated bike/ped lane and a bridge without a bike/ped lane, but permitting cyclists to use the right-hand travel lane. The second option is unacceptable: the speed limit will be 50 or 55 mph, the bridge is planned to have a 4% grade, no pedestrian access, and bicyclists would probably be restricted to weekends or holidays, as on the Thomas Hatem Bridge (http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/Hatem_Bike_Access.html).
Go to http://www.newnicebridge.com and give your comments before February 20.
Posted by: Jim Hudnall | January 22, 2018 at 05:37 PM