Arlington Breaks Ground on Four Mile Run Connector Trail

[Allen Muchnick]

The following Arlington County news release omits the
project's construction cost of approximately $7
million, roughly half of which is for new a sewer line
that will lie beneath part of this new trail.

Allen Muchnick

====

[
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/PressReleases/58462.aspx
]

For Immediate Release
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Contact: Myllisa Lardieri Kennedy 703-228-3152 (voice)


Arlington Kicks Off Work on New Four Mile Run Trail

Recognized nationally as a bicycle friendly community

ARLINGTON, Va.--Today, Congressman Jim Moran,
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria marked the
beginning of construction of a multi-use trail linking
the popular Washington & Old Dominion and Four Mile
Run trails with an official groundbreaking at the site
of the future path. The planned route will eliminate
nearly a mile of on-street riding and difficult road
crossings, offering a safer, more direct path along
Four Mile Run for walkers, runners and cyclists. 

"The new Four Mile Run trail connection will offer
bike commuters a quicker, safer route. It provides
those riding for recreation with more trail options. 
Bicycle commuting takes cars off the road, which
reduces harmful greenhouse gas emissions," said
Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson. "It is
also a great way to get exercise." 

An Arlington and Alexandria Connection

The mostly flat route will run between Arlington and
the City of Alexandria, featuring a convenient path
under Shirley Highway (I-395) and West Glebe Road.
With 3,000 feet of new trail, the connection will
complete the 17-mile "Arlington Loop" of trails and
offer access to the area’s lively business and
commercial districts, including direct links to
Shirlington and the Potomac Yard South tract, as well
as connections to Crystal City, Pentagon City, Old
Town Alexandria, Columbia Pike and even Ballston. 

Furthermore, plans for the new trail were instrumental
in the League of American Bicyclists’ decision to
recognize Arlington County as a Silver Level Bicycle
Friendly Community. 

"The new Four Mile Run Trail is representative of
Arlington’s innovative approach to expanding the
regional transportation options and enhancing
residents’ quality of life," noted Andy Clarke,
executive director of the League of American
Bicyclists, as he presented Arlington with the Silver
Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award. "Difficult to
earn and important to renew, this designation
recognizes Arlington’s exemplary efforts to promote
bicycling throughout the County and beyond," said
Clarke. 

Through BikeArlington, the County works to create a
more bicycle-friendly community and encourages
recreational and commuter cycling as a viable
alternative to getting around. In fact, 3 percent of
all trips in Arlington are made by bicycle thanks to
over 36 miles of trails, 24 miles of bike lanes and 43
miles of signed bike routes--astounding given
Arlington’s compact size.

Project Background

Designed and funded by Arlington County, the Four Mile
Run Trail project will also support a number of
ongoing local and regional initiatives, such as
achieving a major goal of the Four Mile Run
Restoration Master Plan and enhancing the surrounding
Four Mile Run recreational area with landscaping of
the stream bank. Additionally, nearly 1,600 feet of
48-inch sanitary sewer main will be installed as part
of the project, substantially increasing capacity,
improving management of weather-related events and
preventing sewer back-ups. Construction is expected to
be completed by March 2009. 

### 

Arlington, Va., is a world-class urban community that
was originally part of the "10-mile square" parcel of
land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It
is the geographically smallest self-governing county
in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26
square miles. Known for its urban villages and
transit-oriented development, Arlington maintains a
rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools
and enlightened land use. In 2002, the county was the
first recipient of the Environmental Protection
Agency’s highest award for "Smart Growth." Home to
some of the most influential organizations in the
world--including the Pentagon--Arlington stands out as
one of America’s preeminent places to live, visit and
do business.

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