Draft BAC letter on the Long Bridge Drive Multimodal project

[Dana]

All,

 

Arlington County released the Final Concept Design for the Long Bridge Drive Multimodal Improvements last month.  The project web page https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Transportation-Projects/Long-Bridge-Drive-Multimodal-Connection includes a video dated 8 Dec 25.  The concept is largely similar to the earlier outreach but it appears they are deferring the earlier plan to remove the on-ramp to I-395 north off Long Bridge Drive, possibly because the necessary VDOT engagement would delay the overall effort.

 

The concept continues to recommend a mid-block trail crossing of Long Bridge Drive near the Aquatic Center.  Unfortunately, while the need for a safe crossing was a priority in each of the earlier public engagements (2023 and 2024), this concept outreach indicates “Arlington County is continuing to explore additional safety upgrades at this intersection.  Update will be provided throughout the design process.” 

 

Several years into this effort, we should have more than “continuing to explore”.  In the design phase, changes to the project concept will get more and more difficult so the safety elements should be identified, discussed, and finalized.

 

If you have ridden this roadway in the morning rush, you’ll see vehicles backed up along Long Bridge Drive heading to the Pentagon north parking areas.  It appears the Boundary Channel interchange exits become congested by backups on the 14^th St Bridge so motorists elect to exit from I-395 at Hayes, then travel on Army-Navy, 12^th St, and turn on Long Bridge Drive to get to their parking.  This will be the same rush period cyclists will be crossing Long Bridge Drive to get to the new bridge over the river.

 

The other part of the concept that seems to be at issue is the design for the connection between this project and the Long Bridge bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Potomac.  Given the magnitude of both projects, it would be foolish to not have the designs fully integrated so the connection is seamless.

 

Please review this draft so we can discuss it tomorrow at the BAC meeting.

 

Thanks

 

Dana Bres