The WashCycle Blog Met Branch Trail Update reported that some directional signs have been installed along the interim trail route near Takoma and at locations further south. I’m pleased to report that the signs are up continuous along the interim on-road route from Takoma Park south to Fort Totten Drive. I can’t speak for continuity of signing the interim route south of Rhode Island Avenue, but if DDOT has been as thorough at signing there as at Takoma we should be in good shape for route signing.
I was able to follow the signs for the interim on-road route from Piney Branch Road to Fort Totten Drive and back today.
All of the turns are marked by the directional turn signs. Route signs pointing straight were placed after some turns and on some longer stretches, a good signing practice to reassure that “yes, you are still on the route”.
Two sign styles are interspersed along the route. One spells out that MBT means “Metropolitan Branch Trail”. That is good because otherwise some would not recognize the meaning of MBT.
The second sign style spells out that this is an “Interim Route”. That is a great idea. It is important to make it clear that this is an interim, on-road route and is not the final route or form of the Met Branch Trail. I think it is a mistake to use signs to identify and mark off-road multi-use trails and then also use the same trail signs to mark interim on-road routes that are being used to fill gaps. We see that in Montgomery County on the Georgetown Branch Trail. Many people see these trail signs along roads with no trail anyplace in sight, and the meaning of the signs and of the trail becomes devalued.
Having Met Branch interim route signs through Takoma Park into D.C. is a good step forward. Now I’d like to see some signing and lane making to define a Gallatin Street contraflow bike lane. Signs are still urgently needed on Gallatin Street at Fort Totten Drive and at North Capital Street to alert motorists going west on Gallatin Street that cyclists are allowed to ride against the flow of traffic. DDOT should erect these signs quickly for safety, even if the pavement marking for the countraflow lane may take longer to plan and implement.
I once heard someone comment “Every time we give cyclists something, then they want something more.” I do appreciate these directional signs. But yes, now I want the rest of the Trail.