Arboretum Bridge and Trail is still on track for 2022

The Arboretum Bridge comment period has concluded and late last month DDOT issued a report on the comments. 

The bridge, built across the Anacostia between the Arboretum and Kenilworth Gardens has been part of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail plan for ~20 years and is finally close to becoming a reality. Last May DDOT held a meeting in the midst to complaints from the boating community about the negative impacts they thought the bridge would have on their use of the river. Another meeting is planned for this spring with design to wrap this year and construction in 2021-2022. 

Most people support the bridge and there's not much new in the responses, but there are a few answers. 

What provisions will be made for access to the trail network on the west side of the Arboretum. The trail on the west side of the river is gated at the arboretum, which closes at 5 PM daily. Does this mean that access will be restricted when the arboretum is closed?

Yes, for now. As with many similar projects, the ART is being developed segmentally. For example, the trail terminated at Benning Road for several years while the next segment went through the requisite planning and development phases, and finally construction. On the east side of the river, the bridge will provide direct connection to Phase I of the existing ART, and in the future will also provide a connection to the Phase II realignment of the ART. On the west side of the river, connecting the trail through the Arboretum is another segment in the moveDC plan. Funding is available to develop this segment and it is currently in the planning stage. DDOT has met with NPS, the National Arboretum, Federal City Council, and others to develop this segment which shall connect the trail to Maryland Avenue NE and allow access regardless of the Arboretum’s hours.

The NPS recreational land on the immediate west bank of the Anacostia at the proposed bridge location will be accessible during regular park operating times. The project includes an additional 1,000 feet of paved trail construction on the western bank of the river and will connect with an existing gravel service road that connects the National Arboretum and NPS property. It should be noted that the park and all trails within it are currently closed after dark.

Further, the National Arboretum is a research institution managed by the US Department of Agriculture and is not a park, although it welcomes visitors during open hours much like a park. As such, any decision to extend the operating hours would be taken by the Arboretum.

Another DDOT project currently being examined, the New York Avenue NE Streetscape and Trail Concept, will improve pedestrian facilities, bicycle accommodations, and safety  along New York Avenue NE between Florida Avenue NE and Bladensburg Road NE, connecting with the Metropolitan Branch Trail at NoMa-Gallaudet Metro Station and the Arboretum.

Additionally, the Lincoln Connector Trail project is in the planning stage. This will provide a trail from Bladensburg Road NE, through the Fort Lincoln neighbourhood, and cross the Anacostia River to connect with the ART in the vicinity of the New York Avenue NE/US-50 bridge. Final feasibility study documents are due winter 2019/2020.

They address the concerns of boaters about build-up at the piers, the location choice, clearance and why a single span wasn't selected. They also respond to concerns about the environment and high-bicycle traffic rates in the Mayfair or Paradise neighborhoods. "We expect an increase as bicyclists and pedestrians use the new trail segment; however, the arboretum closes at 5 PM daily, so commuter volume after 5 PM should be what it is currently."

Comments

[Purple Eagle]

Thanks for the updates!