Letter: Access Improvements at Arlington National Cemetery

On October 28th, WABA sent this letter supporting changes to Arlington National Cemetery's entry corridor that include an emphasis on active modes and transit.

You can view this document in PDF form here.

October 28, 2024

Steven Crawford, Architect

Arlington National Cemetery

1 Memorial Avenue

Arlington, VA 22211-5003

Re: Arlington National Cemetery Entry Corridor Area Improvements

Dear Mr. Crawford,

I am writing on behalf of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and our more than 5,000 members across the Washington metropolitan region to express our support for Arlington National Cemetery’s proposed Entry Corridor Area Improvements project, particularly its goal of reorienting the site’s transportation layout to better accommodate transit and active modes such as bicycling and walking.

The Entry Corridor Area Improvements project is an admirable attempt at a much-needed, comprehensive redesign and rebuild that simultaneously maintains the character of the historic entryway. In our opinion, the changes proposed successfully threads this needle. The resulting Entry Corridor Area will largely look and feel the same but will be vastly more efficient and effective at moving visitors through the space and delivering to those visitors the solemn experience expected on our Nation's most hallowed ground.

In particular, we celebrate the inclusion of the Arlington Memorial Trail along the site’s perimeter. Whether ultimately built directly by ANC as part of this project or developed concurrently and in conjunction with Arlington County, the trail will fill a critical gap in the region’s trail network facilitating greater east-west active transportation across the Potomac and provide additional non-vehicle access to the site.

For visitors arriving by bicycle, we commend the inclusion of a bike rack at the new Arrivals Plaza; we would encourage you to opt for a rack design that meets the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals’ (APBP) design guidelines, namely two points of contact at which to lock. We would also suggest inclusion of a crosswalk across the new Entrance Drive to safely accommodate visitors arriving from the Cemetery Memorial Trail, the Metro Station, and other points east of the site. This could be done with granite pavers as proposed elsewhere on Memorial Drive, provided such a design is as safe and effective as standard high-visibility paint.

To better accommodate visitors utilizing the region’s hugely popular and growing Capital Bikeshare bikes, we would suggest moving the existing station north of Memorial Drive to a location at the Arrivals Plaza. Barring such a move for safety, accessibility, or aesthetic reasons, we would propose a compromise location outside either or both Metro Station entrances, closer and more visible to the site’s entry points.

Lastly, we suggest that as a part of this comprehensive site overhaul, the on-ramp from Memorial Drive to Richmond Highway/110 be redesigned and rebuilt to intersect at a right angle or T. The existing ramp with its large radius encourages cars to speed through the crosswalk as the geometry does not require stopping or slowing to enter. This significantly endangers visitors walking and biking along the sidewalk.

We think these additional changes and improvements to the design can help the project more safely and effectively deliver visitors to the site on foot, by bike, and via transit while still honoring the site’s history and aesthetics. We thank you for the opportunity to weigh in on this important project and look forward to continued engagement in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

Kevin O’Brien, Virginia Organizer

More about Arlington Memorial Trail

Arlington Memorial Trail (sometimes referred to as the Cemetery Wall Trail) is a proposed connection running along the perimeter of the Arlington National Cemetery from Memorial Drive south to Columbia Pike along the west side of Route 27 and north side of Route 110. The trail fills a critical gap and would connect northern Arlington neighborhoods like Rosslyn with the growing National Landing area, along with facilitating additional east-west connectivity across the Potomac.

The tangle of roadways and corresponding management responsibilities in this sensitive area have tied up the project for years but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. Arlington County assumed control of the project from federal authorities in 2024 and the Arlington National Cemetery is proactively including the trail in renderings for its proposed entry corridor improvements project.

More about The Capital Trails Coalition

First convened in 2016 by WABA, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, REI, and a host of other regional stakeholders, The Capital Trails Coalition is a collaboration of public and private organizations, agencies, and volunteers working to advance completion of an interconnected network of multi-use trails for metropolitan Washington, DC. The Coalition convenes and coordinates among the public and private stakeholders who are critical to accomplishing the vision of an interconnected network.

Check out the CTC's website here, and explore the interactive map of existing and planned regional trails here.

More about Trails

Trails are the best. They are low-stress bike infrastructure, access to nature, parks, landmarks, and community gathering spaces all rolled into one.

WABA's trail advocacy is focused on connecting gaps in our region's trail network; ensuring existing trails are maintained and upgraded to meet current design standards; and expanding the network into underserved parts of the region.

More about Advocacy

WABA fights for a region where biking, walking and transit are the best ways to get around.

We educate policymakers and organize grassroots advocates for to speak up for safer places to bike and walk; and for laws and policies that protect people who are walking and biking, reduce dangerous driving, and facilitate changes to the built environment.