Arlington Opens New Trail Along Washington Boulevard
Published on November 30, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWZID0q0PK4
County officials and project partners gathered on Nov. 30 in Arlington's Towers Park to celebrate the opening of the Washington Boulevard Trail, the County's latest paved trail for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The project added a 10-foot-wide paved trail along the west side of Washington Boulevard in the Penrose neighborhood. The new trail section links with the project's first phase, built in 2009 between Arlington Boulevard and South Walter Reed Drive, and provides a new north-south connection between the Arlington Boulevard Trail and Columbia Pike. The total length of the trail, for both phases, is approximately 4,000 feet, or 0.75 miles.
MORE: Get project details, including history and public process
"Completion of the Washington Boulevard Trail provides a new opportunity for residents to safely and comfortably travel by bicycle, expands access to Towers Park, and continues our efforts to build a transportation system that provides a wealth of environmentally sustainable travel options," said Arlington County Board Member Erik Gutshall.
MORE: Photos and live tweets from the Nov. 30 ribbon-cutting
The new trail is a facility for transportation and recreation, and it helps provide more convenient access to Towers Park for community neighbors. It was constructed by Arlington County on land owned and managed by local agencies, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the U.S. Navy.
Construction for the trail's second phase began in January 2018 and was completed in 11 months. The total cost for design and construction was approximately $3 million. The project was funded by Arlington County and the Virginia Department of Transportation.
County updating bike plan
The Washington Boulevard Trail is part of Arlington's developing bikeway network that will link existing and planned trails on the north, south and east sides of the County.
Plans for the bikeway network are being updated as part of the County's revision of the Bicycle Element in its Master Transportation Plan. The update is looking at ways to further improve mobility, safety, comfort and convenience for cyclists and to expand the attractiveness of cycling for getting around Arlington.
MORE: Review the draft plan and the proposed bicycle network