don't let Rosslyn metro construction disturb you

Hanukkah development in Arlington

Buildings are going up everywhere, even on a Hanukkah menorah.

Dominion has carefully considered pedestrian traffic

Following up on its incisive report on the new Radnor Heights power line, the Ode Street Tribune emailed the following question to Dominion Virginia Power:

What will be the effect of the construction of the new underground power line connecting the new Radnor Heights substation to the power substation near the crossing of Rt 110 and I-395 on traffic through the North Gate thoroughfare [multi-use trail on Marshall Drive below the Netherlands Carillon]?

Two days later a Dominion Project Communications Coordinator responded:

Dominion has carefully considered any potential inconvenience to pedestrian traffic near the Arlington Cemetery North Gate during the construction of the underground power line. Open-cut trenching is generally completed in small sections at a time, which lessens the impact of construction to users of this trail.

Maintaining public safety is of the utmost importance during any construction project. Dominion will work with local officials to create traffic control plans for not only vehicular traffic, but pedestrian traffic as well. Work crews will avoid the pedestrian path to the extent feasible.  In construction areas with tighter constraints, crews will construct a temporary pedestrian path if necessary to accommodate pedestrians during construction.  This temporary path would be clearly marked and easy to follow. When the construction is complete, the path will be restored back to its original condition.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to provide this additional information about the project. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dominion should be commended for its prompt reply and willingness to provide additional information.  That Dominion has "carefully considered any potential inconvenience to pedestrian traffic near the Arlington Cemetery North Gate" is re-assuring.  We assume that by "pedestrian traffic" Dominion means all modes of traffic, including bike traffic, that use the multi-mode trail.

The Ode Street Tribune sent the same question to the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services (DES).  We have not yet received a reply.  Perhaps the DES general comment form wasn't the right place for the question. 

new power line to cross major transit thoroughfare

Dominion Virginia Power will construct a new Radnor Heights power substation and power line beginning in the first quarter of 2011 and finishing in the second quarter of 2012.  Dominion will construct the power substation on Joint Base Myer-Henderson just across Rt. 50 from the Courthouse Rd. intersection.  The new power line is a 3.7 mile, 230 kilo-volt underground electric transmission line that will connect the recently refurbished power substation at 3245 Wilson Blvd to the new Radnor Heights substation, and the Radnor Heights substation to a power substation near the crossing of Rt. 110 and I-395.  The underground power line will follow 10th St., then cross Rt. 50, then follow Marshall Dr. and Rt. 110.  Here's a map of the new power line's path.

The power line will be installed using open-cut trenching.  In areas where open-cut trenching would be particularly disruptive or infeasible, boring or tunneling can be used.  I suspect that the power line will be installed across Rt. 50 by boring under that road.

The new power line will also cross the major, human-powered transit thoroughfare in front of the North Gate of Arlington Cemetery along Marshall Dr.  Cyclists, skateboarders, runners, walkers, roller-bladers, stroller-pushers, and others traverse this thoroughfare in relatively high numbers.  In the area's transit network, this thoroughfare provides a vital link to major paths to Washington, DC, Alexandria, and Georgetown.   

Plans for constructing the new power line should seriously consider the effects on the major transit thoroughfare in front of the North Gate.  Dominion's Radnor Heights project page declares:

Installation of the underground lines will require lane closures in some areas. We will work with the County of Arlington and the Virginia Department of Transportation to create traffic control plans. Construction will be limited to certain times during the day to reduce traffic congestion. In nonresidential areas, it may be possible to work at night to avoid traffic. Proper flagging and signage will be used to minimize delays and make it as easy as possible for you to get where you're going.

What does this imply for human-power traffic through the North Gate thoroughfare?  If Dominion digs an open trench along Marshall Dr. without regard for human-powered traffic, it could seriously disrupt or shut-down traffic through this major transit artery.  

Reasonable accommodation for human-powered traffic requires attention to the issue and appropriate construction planning.[*]  Open-cut trenching segmented to accommodate human-powered traffic would imply only a short, safe detour at the North Gate thoroughfare.

The Ode Street Tribune pledges to do what it can to help ensure that the power line construction does not unnecessarily disrupt traffic.

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[*] While DC recently adopted a complete streets policy, Arlington's Master Transportation Plan adopted in 2007 explicitly requires a "complete streets" perspective.   Goal 1, Strategy 2 of that Plan declared:

Construct and manage streets to be “Complete Streets.” Streets should be safe and comfortable for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists, and other users.

Whispering Oaks parking lot being renovated

The Whispering Oaks apartment building on N. Oak St. is having its parking lot pavement replaced and drive-in parking bays refurbished (behind the building).  Hence the woodsy path from Ft. Myer Dr. to N. Oak St. is blocked.  The construction work is creating some noise in the neighborhood, but it probably won't last long.

more construction in Rosslyn

I noticed some new construction projects at the Rosslyn Children's School Fair this past Saturday. The Fair offered some low-priced, delicious banana bread.

1221 N. Pierce St. construction

The building around Fort Myer Market (remember what is used to look like?) is rising rapidly. Construction will be complete in May, 2009. Across from the Quarterdeck will be a gazebo and outdoor grills. The 1200 N. Queen building, although currently lagging behind, will be completed with the 1221 N. Pierce St. construction.

According to a construction worker at the site, new particle board is better than plywood. Particle board is straighter, stronger, and doesn't warp. Apparently it's not your parents' particle board. All in all, though, if you want to bang your head against a wall, it would probably be safer to go with the solid brick walls of Westmoreland.

preserving inept brickwork

Construction of the Clarendon Center is preserving some astonishingly bad brickwork on the Wilson Blvd. side. Perhaps it was an apprentice bricklayer's first job. Good to preserve some of the gritty character of early Clarendon