Bridge out on Wayne Andersen Bikeway (IE the trail in 4MR park in Alexandria)

[CaseyKane50]

From the City’s web page

https://www.alexandriava.gov/tes/inf...aspx?id=123842

In Summer 2021, it was observed during a field inspection that a hole had formed in the Four Mile Run Park Trail bridge deck. After a follow-up structural inspection, it was determined that the condition of the bridge was not suitable for use by people driving, biking, or walking. To ensure the safety of trail users, the bridge was closed in August 2021. Based on the latest inspection, the bridge condition is rated as “poor” due to structural deficiencies in the decking and beams.

Detour Information

Temporary detour signs have been installed on the trail to assist trail users in reaching their destinations. Additional signage is under development and expected to be in place by September 2021. A map showing the detour routes is below. Trail users should follow the Four Mile Run Wetland Trail during the daytime. Trail users should follow the provided on-street route during nighttime when the Wetland Trail is not lit.

Due to the emergency nature of the bridge closure, repair/replacement of the bridge is not currently funded. However, staff is requesting funding for this project for the City’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

[Steve O]

due to the emergency nature of the bridge closure, repair/replacement of the bridge is not currently funded. However, staff is requesting funding for this project for the city’s fiscal year 2023 budget.

Closed for several years, then, evidently.

[chris_s]

Due to the emergency nature of the bridge closure, repair/replacement of the bridge is not currently funded. However, staff is requesting funding for this project for the City’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

Alexandria advocates may want to suggest that this would be a good use for Alexandria's upcoming piece of American Rescue Plan Act funding.

[peterw_diy]

Closed for several years, then, evidently.

Not necessarily -- we're in FY 2022 now and FY 2023 begins next July. If the City is willing & able to spend money on design before FY 2023, we could be looking at "just" one year of complete closure. If they're making a request they must at least have a ballpark estimate for replacement cost; anybody know what the estimated cost is? And if they will spend money on design work this fiscal year?

More good news for folks on bikes: the City seems to be mowing "shoulders" beside the wetland path now, which makes it feel less cramped (though also less natural). There's enough light from Arlington across 4 Mile Run that cheap "city" lights are generally adequate after dark although, as I've noted, some Recreation and Police staff seem to think the 10pm citywide park closing time also applies to the paved paths inside 4MR park.

[Judd]

Update from the folks at Four Mile Run Conservatory on all of the nearby bridges including this one: https://www.fourmilerun.org/2022/03/...n-updates.html

Excerpt:

The trail bridge, near the baseball and softball fields, has been closed since late Summer 2021 due to decking failure and structural damage caused by vehicular use of the bridge. The hole in the decking first appeared last spring, and subsequent analysis by structural engineers indicated the bridge is unsafe. Further engineering analysis will determine whether the existing bridge abutments are in good enough condition to allow only the span to be replaced.

[mstone]

Update from the folks at Four Mile Run Conservatory on all of the nearby bridges including this one: https://www.fourmilerun.org/2022/03/...n-updates.html

Excerpt:

The trail bridge, near the baseball and softball fields, has been closed since late Summer 2021 due to decking failure and structural damage caused by vehicular use of the bridge. The hole in the decking first appeared last spring, and subsequent analysis by structural engineers indicated the bridge is unsafe. Further engineering analysis will determine whether the existing bridge abutments are in good enough condition to allow only the span to be replaced.

I've heard this (that vehicles screw up the bike/ped facilities) a number of time from local authorities and I don't understand why it's something they can't actually address rather than saying "oh well, your facility will be broken indefinitely because we don't have the money to repair the preventable damage". Like, if the police or telco or whoever tear up the trail, why don't the costs come out of their budget?

[arlcxrider]

We're still waiting for a replacement footbridge in Lubber Run Park to replace two bridges destroyed by the flash flood on July 8, 2019. Construction is supposed to start "soon" on one bridge. The other will not be replaced. We had to wait through a Capital Improvement cycle and then a lengthy public engagement process. All this to put a footbridge back in exactly the same place. If it were a road bridge, would it take 3 years? That's a rhetorical question.

[lordofthemark]

I've heard this (that vehicles screw up the bike/ped facilities) a number of time from local authorities and I don't understand why it's something they can't actually address rather than saying "oh well, your facility will be broken indefinitely because we don't have the money to repair the preventable damage". Like, if the police or telco or whoever tear up the trail, why don't the costs come out of their budget?

You don't follow the police budget discourse in Alexandria, do you?

[mstone]

You don't follow the police budget discourse in Alexandria, do you?

no, I've got my own mess in fairfax

[peterw_diy]

Like, if the police or telco or whoever tear up the trail, why don't the costs come out of their budget?

In this situation I think it’s likely that the biggest culprit IS the parks department, which relies on heavy, full-size trash trucks to collect from the few cans located on Alexandria‘a trail. Sure, police drive the trail more often, but a mid size SUV with one occupant and a little gear must be much lighter than a compacting trash truck.

My question is, why doesn’t Alexandria put aside “rainy day” money to expedite infrastructure repairs. And it’s not just small infrastructure - just yesterday ArlCo+Alx announced new capacity reductions on the W Glebe bridge over 4MR that was identified as unsafe back in 2018. Seems like each time we act surprised and have to wait for the next budget cycle to do anything more than erect barricades.