Last month, the NPS hosted a safety meeting on the GW Parkway/Vt. Vernon Trail and VA State Senator Scott Surovell submitted some very well thought out comments. He notes that the two main problems are traffic volume, which is up following the 2005 round of BRAC, and speed. He therefore supports
Speed cameras - Yes. A 100 times yes. He reminds NPS that former congress member Dick Armey (TX) and VA Governor Jim Gilmore complained about them in 2001, and that they were then removed. But he points out what many said at the time - they were wrong. He proposes a concession contract to get around rules about spending and revenue.
A shocking 70-80% of drivers speed and NPS did not even measure speeds at the 35-mph stretch between Belle Haven Road and Belleview Boulevard.
Careful use of traffic diets - he supports them, but wants NPS to be cautious about them, with some experiments first
Mount Vernon Trail - The trail is unsafe. It's too narrow and has too many turns and blind corners. People are getting injured frequently. Root heave is making the surface unsafe. He recommends maintenance and perhaps a separate study. In the short term he recommends letting cyclists back in the road - at least on the slower portions or where traffic is light; and closing part of the Parkway on weekends as is done in Rock Creek Park. Great suggestions. Back in 2006, WABA met with NPS to discuss ways to make the trail safer, but a study of the complete trail and of a possible expansion north, with an eye towards improvements and safety would be a great thing.
Increased Enforcement - Calls for more enforcement of speed limits on the roadway and on the trail (15mph if you're wondering) and for a ban on e-scooters on the trail. [I disagree on the scooter ban].
There are other suggestions I've omitted because they don't really matter to cyclists and trail users, but lots of them are good ideas.
Surovell and FABB both argue that the road has become unsafe, largely due to speeding. 'FABB is looking more for speed cameras and round-a-bouts, and a road diet as a third solution. Road diets usually take away a driving lane and have more bike and pedestrian spaces. Either way, these will impede the government employee driving to the office at Fort Belvoir." FABB and the Alexandria BPAC are doing a ride and picnic on August 18th in conjunction with the safety study for those interested in getting a hands-on informed opinion.
Comments are being accepted until Aug 21.
I have really mixed feelings about this. The first is the notion that the Pkwy isn't a commuter route. It is and it has to be. The day of that road being a quaint scenic thoroughfare died over the years as traffic volume has increased. Its a needed avenue for transportation. Second, if there are no cyclist or pedestrians on the roadway I am not sure what the reason for slowing things down would be. The road is relatively an easy drive at most speeds up to 60. Yes, they need to be lower near each end of the stretch we are talking about, but otherwise, I don't get it. As for the trail and bikes (and bikes related to using the Pkwy) I agree 100%. The trail surface due to roots is terrible (as it is on other trails like W&OD in spots). And the path could definitely use to be wider. No studies needed, just do it.
Posted by: GK | August 08, 2019 at 08:58 PM
It clearly wasn't built as a commuter route so isn't designed as one, but yes, it is one. But 60 is way too fast for that road. People wreck all the time near Rosslyn, and you sometimes see tire tracks across the grass and trail near Trollheim. Eventually a pedestrian or cyclist is going to get hurt.
I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the trail. It has become ridiculous in places.
Posted by: huskerdont | August 09, 2019 at 08:42 AM
It is a commuter route, but it doesn't have to be one, at least not one like it currently is.
We could, for example, use one lane during rush hour for express buses between Ft. Belvoir and the King Street Metro. And/or put a rush-hour congestion charge on the road.
Posted by: washcycle | August 09, 2019 at 12:35 PM
No reason it can't be a parkway AND a commuter route. Imagine how many people would feel safe commuting by bike if they got the whole road to themselves during rush hours and cars were relegated to off-peak times like weekends. Then walkers could have the trail, which would probably be safe for them once the bikes take the road. We've got to get over our car bias.
Posted by: Sally M | August 11, 2019 at 03:36 PM