Melinda Peters replied to inquiry about ICC Bike Trail

In February 2011, I had some questions about the ICC bike trail since the ICC Project Website contains no information whatsoever for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Wonder why?  Are they hiding something?

So I wrote an e-mail to Melinda Peters who is the director of the ICC Project.  Imagine my surprise when she replied.  Ms. Peter's e-mail was quite informative, but I still find the ICC bike trail to be a big disappointment.  Here's why:   

In 2006, when plans for the ICC were nearing final stages, the ICC Project promised a full 18.8 mile bike trail running parallel to the ICC.  They proposed the bike trail to gain the support of the very outspoken and powerful bicycle lobby - the Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA).  Then in 2009 during the economic downturn, the ICC reneged on its promise and eliminated most of the bike trail, save for a few segments here and there. 

It was hack job.  Now under construction, the ICC bike trail has far too many gaps and detours via surface streets to make the trail worthwhile biking.  The problem with detouring to surface streets is that it causes too many disruptions for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially at traffic intersections.  It's not really fair to bicyclists and pedestrians to wait for several minutes at each intersection on surface streets while motorists get to sail along without interruption on the ICC highway.

Simply put, it's no fun biking on surface street sidewalks that are meant for bus-riders and pedestrians, right next to vehicular traffic.  We need a full and separate, continuous bike trail that can be used by bicyclists at very high speeds as well as for joggers, dog-walkers, and roller-bladers who want to enjoy the beauty and serenity of a heavily wooded environment.     

To compromise or cut corners simply defeats the purpose of a bike trail and wastes money as fewer people would use it.  Do it the right way and it'll be more cost effective and generate higher pedestrian and bicycle traffic.  

Apparently, planners in Montgomery County are trying to fill in the gaps.  But wouldn't it have been more cost effective to plan and build the full bike trail in tandem with the ICC highway?  Trying to build (or retrofit) a bike path after the ICC highway has already been built will end up costing the State more money, especially in labor.      

Please share your thoughts?  And please see Ms. Peters' e-mail, which includes the ICC bike trail map after the jump: 

Hi Jesse:

Thank you for your email regarding the Intercounty Connector (ICC).  The State Highway Administration (SHA) appreciates your interest in this important project.  We are glad to hear that you were able to attend the Contract A ribbon cutting ceremony on February 21.

At this time, we still have some final paving to complete for the Contract A bike paths.  Once the weather improves, we will complete paving and then notify the public once the paths are open.  We are constructing a path immediately adjacent to the ICC, starting at Needwood Road, passing under Muncaster Mill Road (access is provided to Muncaster Mill Road), and continuing to Emory Lane.  From Emory Lane, one can follow the existing path along Emory Lane to MD 97.  On MD 97, we are constructing a path that begins at Emory Lane and runs along the east side of MD 97, continuing along the north side of the ICC into Contract B.

Regarding the overall bicycle/pedestrian plan, the ICC will include the construction of a total of approximately 11.4 miles of new bicycle/pedestrian trails and another 3.0 miles of reconstructed bicycle and pedestrian trails across the project area.  These new and reconstructed ICC trails will link several existing and planned trails and bike lanes.  Construction of the new trails will be coordinated with County design standards.  Once completed, the ICC bicycle/pedestrian route will accommodate a cyclist’s travel from the Shady Grove Metrorail station to the Muirkirk Commuter Rail Station, the entire breadth of the project area.  The Counties are still developing some segments of the bicycle/pedestrian plan.  The SHA will continue to coordinate with local governments to advance these segments.  Attached please find an excerpt from the ICC Record of Decision that contains the bicycle/pedestrian plan.  The full ROD, which includes the bicycle/pedestrian plan (refer to Figure 2 on page 13), can be viewed and downloaded at the project website www.iccproject.com.

Thank you again for your email.  If we may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact SHA’s Office of the ICC, toll-free 1-866-462-0020 or via email at iccproject@sha.state.md.us.

Sincerely,

Melinda Peters
Director
Office of the ICC