Custis Trail Explained

Custis Trail
Established:1988
Length:4.5miles
Location:Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Designation:Shared use path
Use:Biking, running, walking
Grade:moderate climbs; trail elevation increases from east to west
Difficulty:moderate eastbound; moderate to strenuous westbound
Season:All
Months:All
Sights:Trees and shrubs near trail.
Distant views on overpasses.
Hazards:Street crossings in first 0.7miles from eastern trailhead, especially at:
N. Lynn Street
N. Fort Myer Drive Winding trail:
Multiple blind curves on hills adjacent to highway sound walls near street overpasses of I-66.
90 degree turn at base of hill near I-66 overpass of Four Mile Run and western trailhead .
Surface:Asphalt
Website:http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/custis.htm
Map Name:Custis Trail

The Custis Trail is a hilly 4.5miles-long shared use path in Arlington County, Virginia. The asphalt-paved trail travels along Interstate 66 (I-66) between Rosslyn and the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail (W&OD Trail) at Bon Air Park.[1] [2]

History

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) constructed the $2.5 million Custis Trail beside I-66 (named the Custis Memorial Parkway in Virginia east of the Capital Beltway) from 1977 to 1982.[3] [4] [5] VDOT originally did not plan to build the trail, but added it to the I-66 project to help the highway gain federal approval and funding after the federal government rejected the initial plans.

East of Glebe Road (Virginia State Route 120), I-66 and the Custis Trail were both built on and near the former right of way of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad's Rosslyn spur, which the highway department had purchased in 1962. In late 1972, the county received permission to build a 1.3 mile temporary, natural surface bike trail on the right-of-way east of Spout Run, which was called the Spout Run Bike Trail.[6] The trail was to open by early 1973 and was in place by 1976.[7] The more hilly Custis Trail replaced this relatively flat route, on which I-66 now travels.

On August 8, 1977, VDOT officially began constructing the Custis Trail (or I-66 Trail, as it was originally called) and the section of I-66 in Virginia east of the Beltway.[5] The trail opened during the summer of 1982. In October, VDOT opened most of the new highway to cyclists and pedestrians for one day.[8] VDOT opened the 10miles segment of I-66 between the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and the Capital Beltway to motor vehicle traffic on December 22, 1982.[9]

The Custis Trail originally extended for 8.5miles to Lee Highway (U.S. Route 29) in East Falls Church (see List of neighborhoods in Arlington County, Virginia).[4] However, the section of the Custis Trail that travels between and East Falls Church was later informally re-branded to become a part of the W&OD Trail.[1]

On June 11, 1988, an extension of the trail and a bridge over the George Washington Memorial Parkway opened at the trail's eastern end. The extension and the bridge connected the trail to the Mount Vernon Trail, a 17miles-long shared use path that travels along the Parkway near the west side of the Potomac River to Alexandria and George Washington's home at Mount Vernon.[10]

In 2018–19, VDOT, in cooperation with the Arlington County government, removed a lane of Lee Highway near the eastern end of the trail (between North Lynn Street and North Oak Street). The lane's removal enabled VDOT and the county to increase the width of that section of the trail from 10feet to 16feet and to widen the trail's buffer from 3feet feet to 8feet.[11]

Description

The Custis Trail's eastern trailhead is at the trail's lowest elevation (33feet).[12] The trail connects at the trailhead to the Mount Vernon Trail, which provides access to three Potomac River crossings into downtown Washington, D.C., and the National Mall:[1]

250yd west of the trailhead, the Custis Trail connects at North Lynn Street to the Francis Scott Key Bridge, thus creating connections to Georgetown, to the southern end of the Capital Crescent Trail and to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath.[1] The trail then follows a hilly route along I-66 through Arlington County until reaching its western trailhead at the trail's junction with the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail (W&OD Trail) at Bon Air Park near Four Mile Run.[1] [13] The western trailhead is 75yd east of North Patrick Henry Drive's overpass of I-66, the W&OD Trail and Four Mile Run.[1]

The trail reaches its highest elevation (299feet) near the North Harrison Street overpass of I-66 and the trail, west of Ballston.[14] The trail descends from that high point to the western trailhead, whose elevation is 233feet.[15]

The Custis Trail crosses I-66 three times along its route:

The trail has five at-grade street crossings, all of which in a section of the trail that travels next to the westbound traffic lanes of Lee Highway in and near Rosslyn.[1] After the trail crosses I-66 on the Lee Highway overpass west of Rosslyn, the trail travels next to I-66 and crosses all streets on the highway's underpasses and overpasses.[1]

The trail has a 3000NaN0-long spur that travels east to Fairfax Drive (Virginia State Route 237) along the westbound entrance ramp to I-66 in Ballston.[1] [19] The spur connects to Ballston's streets and to the Bluemont Junction Trail, a 1.3miles-long rail trail that meets the W&OD Trail and the Four Mile Run Trail at in Bluemont, Arlington.[1]

Name

Web pages and other sources sometimes identify the Custis Trail as the "Nellie Custis Trail"[20] or the "Martha Custis Trail".[21] However, no documents show that the trail ever bore the name of any specific individual. In 1980, there were discussions of naming I-66 for the Custis family, to which George Washington was related by marriage.[22]

At the time that I-66 was opening east of the Capital Beltway, Virginia highway officials were unofficially calling that section of the road the "Martha Custis Parkway".[23] In 1981, at least one columnist thought the road - and by extension the trail - was being specifically named for Nellie Custis.[24]

The section of I-66 east of the Beltway eventually received the name "Custis Memorial Parkway".[3] Several Arlington County documents have therefore identified the trail as the "Custis Memorial Parkway Trail".[25]

Notes and References

  1. Route of "Custis Trail". In Web site: Arlington County Bike Map: 2019. Bike Arlington. Arlington County, Virginia. Government of Arlington County, Virginia: Department of Environmental Services. May 2019. December 27, 2020. January 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200106005328/http://www.bikearlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bikearlington-bike-map_2019_FINAL-lo-res-1.pdf. dead. .
  2. (1) Route of "Custis Trail". In Web site: Martha Custis Trail. Bike Washington. 2011-12-25. December 29, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111229232913/http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/custis.htm. dead. .
    (2) Web site: Bon Air Park. Parks & Recreation. Arlington County, Virginia. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. 2020. December 27, 2020. December 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212114235/https://parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/bon-air-park/. dead. .
  3. (1) Web site: Arlington Virginia List of State Roads. Department of Environmental Services. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. July 14, 2009. 2010-08-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20060304024247/http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/cpe/row/EnvironmentalServicesState.aspx. March 4, 2006. I-66 Custis Memorial Parkway.
    (2) Web site: State Roads. Transportation. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. Interstate 66: Custis Memorial Parkway. April 12, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140412013229/https://transportation.arlingtonva.us/streets/state-roads/. dead. .
    (3) Web site: I-66. vahighways.com: The Virginia Highways Project. December 27, 2020. Legislative names: Custis Memorial Parkway, I-495 to DC (since 1-21-82). June 13, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150613235648/http://www.vahighways.com/route-log/i066.htm. dead. .
    (4) Web site: Levey. Bob. November 5, 1981. An Honor That Nellie Custis Doesn't Deserve. The Washington Post. December 27, 2020. "Ain't no sense in trying to turn it around," said D. D. Harris, an engineer for the Virginia Highway Department. "Arlington County and Fairfax County agreed a year ago to call it the Custis Memorial Parkway. We've even ordered the signs for the entrances.
    "The only thing that hasn't been done is for final approval to be granted. But that's just dotting I's and crossing T's. It's settled. This is no time to be drumming up business.".
  4. News: Hodge. Paul. $2.5-Million Bicycle Path Along I-66 Wins Praise. The Washington Post. 14 June 2017. 22 December 1982.
  5. Web site: I-66 Inside Capital Beltway Chronology – 77 Years in the Making. June 3, 2015. McLean, Virginia. Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance. December 28, 2020. August 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200805074102/https://nvta.org/2015/06/i-66-inside-capital-beltway-chronology-77-years-in-the-making/. dead. .
  6. News: Eisen . Jack . Rail Roadbed As Bike Trail Is Approved . The Washington Post . 22 November 1972.
  7. Book: Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor Station Area General Plans . 1976 . Arlington County (Va.). Dept. of Environmental Affairs. Planning Division.
  8. News: I-66 Stretch Open Sunday to Hikers, Bikers. The Washington Post. 20 October 1982.
  9. News: A Long Road Bitter Fight Against I-66 Now History. Local. The Washington Post. December 28, 2020.
  10. News: Brooks . Dudley . Bikers' Bridge . The Washington Post . 12 June 1988.
  11. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20200107061327/http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/rosslyn_bike_ped.asp. January 7, 2020. Under Construction: Lynn Street Esplanade and Custis Trail Improvements in Arlington County. VDOT: Virginia Department of Transportation. November 21, 2019. January 7, 2020.
  12. (1) Coordinates of eastern trailhead:
    (2) Elevation at eastern trailhead from topographic map at CalTopo
  13. Coordinates of western trailhead:
  14. (1) Coordinates of highest elevation on Cutis Trail: 38.88°N -77.1268°W
    (2) Highest elevation on Custis Trail from topographic map at CalTopo
  15. Web site: Elevation at western trailhead from topographic map at CalTopo . January 13, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200112090446/https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=38.879126,-77.138784&z=17&b=t . January 12, 2020 . dead .
  16. Coordinates of Custis Trail in Lee Highway overpass west of Rosslyn: 38.897°N -77.0838°W
  17. Coordinates of Custis Trail within the Lee Highway underpass west of Spout Run Parkway: 38.8962°N -77.0986°W
  18. Coordinates of Custis Trail within the Four Mile Run underpass near the trail's western trailhead: 38.8793°N -77.1361°W
  19. (1) Coordinates of west end of Custis Trail spur in Ballston: 38.883°N -77.1213°W
    (2) Coordinates of east end of Custis Trail spur in Ballston: 38.8822°N -77.1185°W
  20. (1) Web site: County Board Agenda Item: April 16, 2011:
    SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT: SUBJECTS: Adoption of the East Falls Church Area Plan ....    . April 14, 2011. 5. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 28, 2020. c. Extension of the Nellie Custis Trail past its existing termination at the corner of Quantico Street and 18th Street to Sycamore (Street).. December 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201228011626/https://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&clip_id=2078&meta_id=90227. dead. .
    (2) Web site: yellowbiketales. Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Virginia. February 13, 2008. Blogger. Nellie Custis Trail that follows Route 66 from the Potomac River connects with the W&OD just east of Falls Church.. December 28, 2020. July 8, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110708072815/http://yellowbiketales.blogspot.com/2008/02/washington-old-dominion-trail-in.html. dead. .
  21. Web site: Martha Custis Trail. Bike Washington. 2011-12-25. December 29, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111229232913/http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/custis.htm. dead. .
  22. News: Grubisich. Thomas. Routes -- Arlington Looks to History: I-66 May Be Named After Old Custis Family . The Washington Post . June 21, 1980.
  23. News: Hodge. Paul. $2.5-Million Bicycle Path Along I-66 Wins Praise. The Washington Post. June 14, 2017. December 22, 1982. The "Custis Trail," as the bike path is called, is the counterpart of the Martha Custis Parkway, as Virginia highway officials have dubbed the controversial section of I-66 inside the Beltway..
  24. News: Levey . Bob . An Honor That Nellie Custis Doesn't Deserve . September 10, 2018 . The Washington Post . November 5, 1981.
  25. (1) Web site: William T., County Manager. Donahue. November 3, 1999. Memorandum to the County Board of Arlington, Virginia:
    SUBJECT: SP #331 Major Site Plan Amendment Request ....    . Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. The trail connects to the Custis Memorial Parkway Trail (I-66) to the west ..... December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227193228/https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/cbo/1999/99_11_13/10.A.htm. dead. .
    (2) Web site: Memorandum to the County Board of Arlington, Virginia:
    SUBJECT: SP #333 (Carry-Over and Amended) ....    . William T., County Manager. Donahue. September 29, 2000. 6. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. The route ....., which connects, with the Custis Memorial Parkway Trail (I-66).. February 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160227133517/https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/cbo/2000/oct7/13.pdf. dead.
    (3) Web site: County Board Agenda Item: Meeting of July 9, 2005:
    SUBJECT: SP #65 Site Plan Amendment Request ....    . June 23, 2005. 3. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. It connects to other bicycle routes including Custis Memorial Parkway Trail ..... December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227194703/https://arlingtonva.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/cbo/2005/jul/0709/2.pdf. dead. .
    (4) Web site: County Board Agenda Item: Meeting of May 22, 2010:
    SUBJECTS: A. GP-319-10-1 General Land Use Plan Amendment ....    . 14. May 19, 2010. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. The Custis Memorial Parkway Trail (I-66) and the .... are located approximately three-quarters of a mile to the north ..... December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227222139/http://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&clip_id=1814&meta_id=79429. dead. .
    (5) Web site: County Board Agenda Item: Meeting of July 16, 2016:
    SUBJECT: SP #413 Site Plan Amendment ....    . 11. July 8, 2016. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. Further to the north, the on-street bike lanes on North Quincy Street connect to the Custis Memorial Parkway Trail (I-66).. December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227230651/https://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=3167&meta_id=146989. dead. .
    (6) Web site: County Board Agenda Item: Meeting of February 25, 2017:
    SUBJECT: U-3468-16-1 Use Permit ....    . 21. Government of Arlington County, Virginia. December 27, 2020. The Custis Memorial Parkway Trail (I-66) and the .... are located approximately three-quarters of a mile to the north ..... December 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201227223425/https://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=44&clip_id=3302&meta_id=156821. dead. .

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