Gov. Nice Bridge public hearings: Sept 17 & 24

Forwarded from: Montgomery County Bike Advocates for general consumption:

"Public Hearings to Highlight Environmental Assessment of Alternatives" for the Governor Nice Bridge.

We need people to testify in favor of bicycle access at these hearings.

The Governor Nice Bridge carries US 301 across the Potomac River 50 miles south of the Beltway. The existing Nice Bridge prohibits bicycle traffic. It is a 100 mile detour for bicyclists going from southern Maryland to central Virginia to use the closest alternative crossing, the new path on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Beltway. Maryland is currently looking at alternatives for replacing the Nice Bridge.

The six Build alternatives being looked at include an OPTIONAL barrier-separated bicycle-pedestrian path. (The No Build alternative does not include bike-ped access.)

We need to have a strong show of support for including the bike-ped path. I encourage anyone in that part of Maryland or Virginia to attend one of the hearings and speak up on behalf of bike-ped access. (Those who cannot attend can also submit comments through the website below.) Without strong public support, the OPTIONAL bike-ped path might be left out of the final design.

Maryland Hearing Location:
Thursday, September 17, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School
12872 Rock Point Rd.
Newburg, MD 20664

Virginia Hearing Location:
Thursday, September 24, 2009
5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Potomac Elementary School
16495 15th Street
Dahlgren, VA 22448

More information is on the bridge website at:
http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/Nicebridge/nice_index.html

Thanks for posting that, 7Rider. When I lived in the DC area, I did alot of riding near the Nice Bridge--Cobb Island and environs. Now I ride alot in the Northern Neck of Virginia, and it would be great, just GREAT to be able to cross the Nice Bridge and go up to Cobb Island.

I'll probably never ride over there, but I send in a comment anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

__________________
"Most bike accidents just happen. Bicycles up and turn over by themselves..."
David Mozer, director of the International Bicycle Fund.

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Sent in a comment...

And my surly totally does that to me.

I'm positive that's what's caused all of my crashes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

I'm positive that's what's caused all of my crashes.

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Grrr. The bf swerving to avoid something when I was drafting caused my worst one. The rest were because the bike just up & turned over by itself. Or 'cause I suck at mountain biking.

If any of you DC-area folks ride with the Oxon Hill bike club, they have lots of rides in that area. I hope they know about the bridge planning. What a great bike trip that would be: DC to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay!

Hey all.
Don't forget to get some comments in on this, if you planned to do so.
The next public hearing is Thursday the 24th in VA.
Comments can be submitted here.
Info on the Environmental Assessment and the alternatives considered is here.