NPS considering rehabilitating the MVT boardwalk below Roosevelt Bridge (and more!)

The comment period for the Cultural Landscape Report/Environmental Assessment and the Assessment of Effect efforts by the National Park Service for Theodore Roosevelt Island closes tomorrow and the scope of the project, as well as at least one specific item mentioned in the presentation materials, makes it relevant to cyclists. 

The scope of the project includes the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT), the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Trail all of which could be improved in the area, but only the MVT is specifically mentioned. In the materials they mention that they want to

Rehabilitate Bridge 31 on Mt. Vernon Trail of the George Washington Memorial Parkway for safer pedestrian/bicycle travel

This is the so-called Trollheim Bridge, the boardwalk that runs from the south side of the TR bridge to just south of the TR Island parking lot. Sometimes described as "The notoriously slippery part of the Mt. Vernon trail that has caused literally thousands of crashes."

This is a slippery and dangerous section - though I'm not sure how to make it safer. It also is starting to show its age so even a rehab would be nice. 

In addition, I can think of a few ways to improve the TR Bridge, and at the top of that list would be finding a way to connect the south span bike/ped lane on the Virginia side to....something, really anything. If for no other reason than to make this sign less sad (it's so depressed that's it's attempting to leap to its death). It's also a goal of the Rosslyn Sector Plan and several other plans as well. 

Work with key stakeholders to create a safe, inviting, accessible pedestrian and bicycle path connection to the downstream sidewalk of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge

In addition, I think it would be great if they created a connection from the north side path down to the island directly by cutting out a piece of the guard rail and putting in stairs. Bikes aren't allowed on the island, but it would be nice for pedestrians. It would obviously need a gate that can be locked. 

The Rock Creek Parkway Trail in front of the Kennedy Center needs a complete rehab and so does the MVT between the Trollheim and the parking lot. 

Though comments end tomorrow, the final report won't be completed until Spring of 2018.

A better Roosevelt Bridge would be nice too, but that's really DDOT's responsibility.

Comments

[Ampersand]

I would love if the crappy crashy boardwalk could be replaced with an elevated paved trail akin to the recently-opened extension of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. If only.

I continue to think that a switchback or ramp from the south side of the Roosevelt bridge directly to the MVT would see significant use, since it's quite a bit further north than the Memorial Bridge and lets off quite a bit further south than the other side's exit by the Kennedy Center. I volunteer to host a bake sale so we can raise money for this, even though I no longer make the commute that would have benefited from it.

[Washcycle]

Another alternative is a big loop that from the bridge goes SW to Arlignton Blvd; then SE along that road, over the Channel & GW parkway on that oddly too-wide bridge; and then NE to cross the GW Parkway at grade and connect to the MVT just south of the Channel.

[Pete]

Here are the comments I submitted to the NPS.

As a regular cyclist and bike commuter along the Mount Vernon Trail in the study area, first, thank you for the nice trail improvements adjacent to the Roosevelt Island parking lot!

I use the MVT in the study area 4 to 5 days a week and on weekends for recreation. I also use the Roosevelt Bridge to get in and out of DC when commuting and recreationally as well.

I have the following suggestions to make this area better for cyclists.

1) Regarding the rehabilitation of the raised boardwalk. I suggest you look at the raised boardwalk at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware for ideas. There they have a raised board walk made of steel and aluminum superstructure, but also the boardwalk decking is a coated aluminum mesh. It is coated with a grippy material. From outside appearances and from riding on it, it looks like an excellent solution for the Mount Vernon Trial.

2) Probably harder to do, but I would like to see the sidewalk on the Roosevelt Bridge widened. One idea I have for this, which would help in my opinion, would be to remove the existing guardrail from the sidewalk itself and install it (or a new one) right next to it, but on the road surface. If this were done correctly it would provide an additional 6 inches of sidewalk (without any new construction or widening), which I believe would greatly enhance the ability for cyclists to pass each other in opposite directions and of course aide in the passing of pedestrians as well.

[Purple Eagle]

DDOT is presumably focused on the Douglas Bridge replacement now. Is it too much to hope that the Roosevelt Bridge would be next on the list?

Stairs down to Roosevelt Island from the bridge could include a bike ramp/rail and bike parking at the bottom, so cyclist could still visit and leave their rides at the rack.

[roomd]

Just wanted to mention the non slippery Cape Henlopen which I cycled a few days ago after the rain without any problems, but Peter above already did. It has some wooden inserts where the boardwalk needs to turn a bit, but they are just 2-4 inches long and don't seem to create any problems.

[Washcycle]

Roosevelt is getting a rehab soon, but as planned that won't fix any of these problems. I suspect TR or Whitney Young might be next (well, after Long) but that's probably 20 years away.

[xmal]

Thanks for the heads-up. I commented in favor of improving access from DC as follows:
1. Adding official access from the northern sidewalk of the TR (I-66) bridge by building stairs down the embankment.
2. Adding landings for small watercraft and allowing a concessionaire to provide historic boat rides to the island from Georgetown.
3. Connecting the southern sidewalk on the TR bridge either directly to the Mt. Vernon trail (would require stairs/ramp) or along the shoulder of Arlington Blvd (would require crossing of GW Parkway).
4. Widening both sidewalks---there is an unused 2 ft section of roadway that could be turned into sidewalk, much as was done on Independence Ave over the tidal basin.