New ped bridge installed in Broyhill Crest
A new pedestrian bridge was installed over a creek in the Broyhill Crest neighborhood on May 14 – just 52 days after the old decaying bridge was removed and Mason Supervisor told the community there was no money for a replacement bridge, and just 24 days after Gross reported the Park Authority found the money.
The old decaying steel and wooden bridge, linking Murray Lane and Lockwood Lane in Annandale, was removed by the Fairfax County Park Authority on March 23 after park officials deemed it unsafe. At that time, plywood barriers were put up to block access across the creek, and Gross sent an email to Broyhill Crest residents telling them a new bridge would cost $80,000 and the county didn’t have the funds.
Local residents who had been urging the county to fix the old bridge were disappointed that the county would simply remove it without any plans for replacing it. A post in the Annandale Blog about the bridge generated 56 comments and was picked up in the Greater Greater Washington blog.
On April 20, Gross advised residents that the Park Authority was indeed able to find the funds for a prefabricated fiberglass replacement bridge and that having county staff do the work instead of a contractor would save $20,000. Gross said the project would be completed in six weeks, and it looks like that deadline will be beaten by about two weeks – despite many rainy days. While the bridge is already up, the project isn’t quite completed and there’s a construction vehicle still on site.
13 responses to “New ped bridge installed in Broyhill Crest”
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Ugly. Very ugly. Ugly like the pedestrian bridge on Columbia Pike across from the dam.
Bet Arlington wouldn't build something like this.
Its functional.
Jesus there's always something to moan about isn't there?
My thoughts exactly, Adam.
It works for me. It's not an architectural competition, it's a freaking bridge over a creek. Good thing the problem is being solved. Don't forget Arlington spent a million dollars in a bus stop. I'd rather have the money spent wisely. Thanks for the update, Ellie
It's great that this got resolved. It's too bad that so much negative has to be said to get any movement. Why does the initial answer to everything have to be "no?" Why not have a dialog and figure out a solution together. The community would be so much stronger.
It's still ugly.
Arlington pays $1M for architecture. Some Mason District residents are agitating for $1M to rewrite history change the name of JEB Stuart. I'll take architecture over erasing names.
My precious dog, 13 year old lab, and I walked around the block and over the bridge most days for many years. When the bridge disappeared and we had to change our routine, he continued to pull in the direction of the bridge and seemed confused/disoriented when I pulled elsewhere. Yesterday, George and I took our first stroll over the new bridge. We were both delighted! When all the construction is completed, ramps installed and barriers removed, all our friends (canine and human) will be able to resume their leisurely strolls through the park. The neighborhood children have always enjoyed taking the short-cut over the bridge to the BCRC Swimming Pool, and the little ones took pleasure in throwing pebbles into the water while standing on the bridge then watching the splash. Now those cherished memories of one of Broyhill Crest’s hidden treasures will be able to continue. I am pleased!
Goodness, we need more comments like this one on this blog!
That George of yours sounds like such a handsome and well mannered pup!
@EL – I heard he was a very loving old lab. That used to be a pretty wild young pup.
Good for the county and our elected leadership for reversing course and doing the right thing, and in a somewhat timely manner, this time around.
Yay! I'm so pleased to have a new bridge for the neighborhood.
Glad to hear that our elected officials cried that building this bridge took money away from other projects (like her flower garden). Boo hoo.