Gordon Chaffin is a freelance journalist who focuses on infrastructure and traffic news and insights for Street Justice. You can support independent journalism by subscribing to Gordon’s Street Justice newsletter: He’s offering a 20% discount to THIH readers. See more information below. –Maria Helena Carey
Packed House Previews FL Ave NE Changes
On Thursday night, June 20, and to a packed house, DDOT presented big changes the agency hopes to make over the next few months to Florida Avenue NE. In the basement of a Florida Avenue church, a congregation who lost one of their own to the combination of a dangerous driver and lethal road design, a gathering of more people than I have ever seen at a DDOT meeting had mostly positive comments. [Full Story]
Seminary Rd Should Be Safe and Slow
On Monday, June 24th, Alexandria’s Traffic and Parking Board will meet to consider a recommendation on a project that will then be offered to the City Council for their consideration after the summer recess. The project in question — the Seminary Road Complete Streets Project — has amassed large amounts of public comment. The change involves a four-lane road in Alexandria that carries high volumes of car commuter traffic. The City is considering a change in road design because it’s being repaved. [Full Story]
Eckington ANC Squashes Bikeshare Debate
On Tuesday evening, June 18, beginning 150 minutes into their June meeting, ANC 5E (Bloomingdale/Eckington/Edgewood) debated several transportation items. The final, and most heated measure was a letter from 5E04 Commissioner Sylvia Pinkney to oppose the placement of a Capital Bikeshare location on the large Southeast sidewalk of R and North Capital Streets. Ms. Pinkney’s resolution appeared on the public ANC agenda before the wording of her full letter. The letter opposes that placement and suggests an alternative station location. Ms. Pinkney’s letter asks DDOT to place a CaBi station down the east sidewalk of North Capitol between Q and Quincy Place NE. Pinkney’s letter eventually passed 6-2. [Full Story]
ANC 1B Conducting Survey of Street Safety
ANC 1B (South Columbia Heights/Shaw) is conducting a transportation safety survey and inviting residents, frequent passersby, and other stakeholders to participate. The survey is available online in English and Spanish. “It’s designed to capture how people feel about using the transportation system here in our neighborhood — whether they walk, bike, take the bus or metro, or drive,” said ANC 1B12 Commissioner Dan Winston. [Full Story]
DPW Encouraging Bike Lane Blocking
When DC officials talk about their Vision Zero goals, they emphasize increasing the enforcement of traffic violations. The DC Council increased the fines for bike lane and crosswalk blocking in January. The new budget starting October 1 adds more funds to the Department of Public Works for enforcement officers on bikes. Councilmember Charles Allen’s draft Vision Zero bill includes funds to deputize citizens to increase the reach of the limited enforcement team. But in recent weeks, I’ve observed DPW offices encouraging bike lane blocking. [Full Story]
This is a daily newsletter produced by Gordon Chaffin, a journalist in Washington DC. I cover transportation & urban planning in DC, MD, & VA to explain what’s happening in the street and why. Reports delivered every weekday afternoon for paid subscribers and Sunday mornings for free subscribers. Sign up for free. Please support my local journalism with $5/mo or $50/yr. The Hill is Home readers can subscribe to Street Justice for a 20% discount.