Boundary Channel Drive

Boundary Channel Trail Connection Construction Begins January 25th

/ Friends of Mount Vernon Trail / 3 Comments

Construction activity related to the Boundary Channel Drive at I-395 Interchange Project will close a portion of the existing unpaved social path near the Pentagon Lagoon beginning on 1/25/2023. The point of closure will be approximately 1000 feet south of where the Mt. Vernon Trail passes underneath the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Signage will be installed to alert path users of the closure. The path will remain closed for up to 6 months as the Project reconstructs the Interchange between BCD and I-395 and constructs a new paved path connecting the existing path to Boundary Channel Drive.

This project will realign the current ramps to I-395 creating two traffic circles with off road paths that connect to the path on Long Bridge, the Mount Vernon Trail and the Pentagon.

A picture of the closures, which includes closing Exit 10A is below. Boundary Channel Drive will remain open during this phase of construction.

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail needs your help to continue improving the trail. Sign up for a volunteer trail improvement event or Donate to Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail to help us purchase tools and supplies.

Boundary Channel Drive Trail Connection Plans Are Much Improved

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Updated plans for the Boundary Channel Interchange Improvement Project were presented at the Arlington County Transportation Commission Meeting on April 28th, 2021. The project includes building a multiuse trail connecting Long Bridge Drive near the aquatics center to the Mount Vernon Trail. The plans incorporate several improvements requested through public outreach. Major changes to the plan include:

  • Widening of the trail on the north side.
  • Moving the trail further away from the roadway.
  • Straightening the approaches where the trail crosses on and off ramps. These previously had tight 90 degree turns.
  • Installation of Rapid Flashing Beacons at ramp crossings.
Current plans for a new trail connection from Boundary Channel Drive to the Mount Vernon Trail.

Requests for Proposals for a Design-Build contract were released February 28th with an expected award this summer. Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2022 with completion expected in the Fall of 2023. The presentation to the Transportation Commission is in the video below.

If you would like to help make the Mount Vernon Trail better, please volunteer at https://mountvernontrail.org/events or donate at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=4HS836DQJ34BC

Boundary Channel Drive Interchange Improvements and Trail Connection Approved by Arlington County

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The Arlington County Board approved the major design elements of a VDOT project that will redesign and rebuild the Boundary Channel Drive Intersection. This project will provide a new connection to the Mount Vernon Trail from National Landing and Long Bridge Park.

Boundary Channel Drive will be reduced from four lanes to two, and two crossroad ramps along the drive will be converted to roundabouts. VDOT will build an 8-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the drive and a 12-foot shared-use path along its north side. A trail will connect to the Mount Vernon Trail and to a new loop trail around the Arlington County Aquatics and Fitness Center to the Long Bridge Park esplanade.

VDOT is managing the project through a design/build contract with design already underway. Work is expected to begin this year.

Visit the County project page

Visit VDOT’s project page

Want to make the Mount Vernon Trail better? Sign up for one of our volunteer events at https://mountvernontrail.org/events or donate to keep us supplied with tools and materials at https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-crash-free-trollheim

Boundary Channel Drive Mount Vernon Trail Connection Comments Needed

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Arlington County and the Virginia Department of Transportation are undertaking a redesign of the Boundary Channel Drive interchange with 395 that will provide a new trail connection to the Mount Vernon Trail. The project would provide a safer and more direct link between Long Bridge Drive and the MVT and improve access to LBJ Memorial Grove.

Materials from the presentation are available at: https://projects.arlingtonva.us/projects/boundary-channel-drive-interchange/

Public comment is open at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5K29BJC until December 27th. The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail encourage trail users to provide comments on this fantastic new trail connection. Our thoughts as VDOT enters the design phase, which you are welcome to borrow for your comments:

1. This project is great and will provide a new trail connection to the Mount Vernon Trail and LBJ Memorial Grove.

2. The turn radii of the interchanges should be tighter to slow vehicle traffic. This will help prevent vehicle crashes as well as pedestrian and cyclist crashes.

3. The trail and interchanges should include lighting.

4. The crosswalks should be raised to slow vehicle traffic to reduce the risk of crashes.

5. The crosswalks should have Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) activated automatically when pedestrians and cyclists approach to reduce the risk of crashes with motor vehicles.

6. The exit ramps from 395 currently present a long runway that encourages fast motor vehicle travel. Engineering should done to ensure vehicles slow as they exit including curved lanes, rumble strips and lane narrowing.

7. The project should include trail signage to help direct trail users to and from the Mount Vernon Trail as well nearby facilities such as bathrooms, recreation areas and businesses.