Safety improvements on three Custis Trail intersections have begun.
The project will reconfigure bike lanes at N. Quinn and N. Scott streets, as well as widen the Custis Trail. Other safety improvements include curb extensions, ADA-compliant curb ramps, trail separation from Lee Highway, and crosswalks with higher visibility.
Construction has temporarily closed a lane of Lee Highway. Jersey barriers have been erected to form a bike detour along the right-hand, westbound lane of Lee Highway between N. Scott Street and N. Oak Street.
At least one Arlington bicyclist took to social media to cheer on the bicycling infrastructure, saying the jersey barriers were “better than 99 percent of bike facilities in the U.S.”
This temporary facility for a closed-for-maintenance bike trail is better than 99% of bike facilities in the US. Thanks to @arlingtonva, @VaDOTNOVA, and/or @BikeArlington? Really professional all around. #bikedc pic.twitter.com/xtlZmOGPKi
— Salim Furth (@salimfurth) February 28, 2018
In addition to the Lee Highway lane closure, the north legs of the intersection at both N. Scott Street and N. Oak Street will be restricted to one lane. Northbound traffic will be permitted only at the N. Scott Street intersection, while southbound traffic will be permitted only at N. Oak Street intersection, according to the county.
Detour signs will be present to guide drivers out of the North Highlands neighborhood.
The bus stop for the ART 55 and WMATA 3Y buses will be relocated from the construction zone to the west side of the N. Scott Street and Lee Highway intersection. Part of the construction includes plans for an improved bus stop with a bench.
Project funding comes from a Federal Highway Administration bicycle and pedestrian safety program grant.
Work hours are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, and between 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. The project web page notes that construction is anticipated to wrap up at all three points in May.
The Custis Trail project is being done in concert with the N. Lynn Street esplanade project, for which the Arlington County approved additional funding this week.