Keith Laughlin of Rails to Trails and Greg Billing of WABA penned an op-ed recently in support of adding a bike/ped element to the Long Bridge Project, and they tie it into the need for better transportation in the area with Amazon.
Many forward-thinking transportation planners see this bridge as a critical link. The D.C. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration recently showcased their preferred designs for the bridge, including a separate, dedicated bridge for bicyclists and pedestrians. On the surface, it looks like a victory for regional mobility.
However, elected and appointed officials involved have repeatedly cited cost as a reason to limit the project and focus only on rail. With the bicycle/pedestrian bridge planned as separate infrastructure, there is a risk that this segment of the project would come last and face significant hurdles.
While the news of DDOT’s plans for the Long Bridge are positive, all of the project partners need to commit to funding the preferred design (two new bridges to provide rail and trail access) in its entirety, ensuring a timely delivery of both increased rail capacity and increased trail capacity. They also need to evaluate the planned D.C. endpoint. Amazon could leverage political will and financial support to help the trail project come to fruition.
The Friends of Long Bridge Park support the bike/ped bridge too.
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