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 StreetJustice newsletter: He’s offering a 20% discount to THIH readers. See more information below. –Maria Helena Carey
Prince George’s Schools Mixed on Street Safety
In a first-of-its-kind analysis, DC-based news organization Street Justice has produced road safety and transit service data for all Prince George’s County Public Schools. This data set shows that PG County gives students moderately safe streets to use getting to and from school. The information, including stats for each of the County’s 200+ schools and learning centers, highlights areas for improvement that advocates and policymakers should tackle. These new data are available to Street Justice premium subscribers and as a download for $10 per person.
Overall, Prince George’s County Schools deliver decent sidewalks for students and families that walk to school. About half of the roads adjacent to or approaching Prince George’s County Schools have speed limits set at 25 mph, 49% of the total. Most students in Prince George’s County Schools, 68%, attend class within a half-mile of a public transit bus stop. In addition to the data explained above, Street Justice reviewed the most recent Google Maps data to determine whether Prince George’s County schools were next to bike lanes — and what quality design was used.
Adams Morgan Supports 4 New Bikeshare Spots
At this week’s ANC 1C (Adams Morgan) meeting, the Commission passed several transportation measures. They opposed WMATA’s ridehailing late-night discount, supporting extending the Circulator, supported nearby bike lane projects, and asked for a signal at 16th and Kalorama NW.However, the most contentious item was new stations for Capital Bikeshare. The Commission eventually supported four new Bikeshare locations. [Full Story]
Parking vs. Safety in Edgewood DC
On Thursday, May 30th, ANC 5E01’s Nick Cheolas and ANC 5B04’s Ra Amin hosted a community meeting about proposed traffic calming measures on Franklin Street NE from 4th to 12th Streets NE. I can report from several sources that DDOT was planning on doing the modifications from 7th to 12th this summer, including a reduction of three travel lanes to two with bike lanes 10th to 12th and protected bike lanes 7th to 10th along the Metrorail/CSX bridge. The residents of Franklin Street, 4th to 7th NE, and nearby in Edgewood, were unanimously opposed to removal of the 34 Northside, rush-hour restricted, on-street parking spots. [Full Story]
Maryland Gets Its Highway Public-Private Partnership
This week, Maryland’s Board of Public Works voted 2-1 to accept the Public-Private Partnership (P3) proposed to widen I-270 and I-495, with toll lanes and a re-built American Legion Bridge. Before that vote, Governor Hogan — one of two YEA votes along with his Comptroller — amended the P3. The highway project’s construction, already split into three phases, was re-ordered. Now, the project will build I-270 wider first, then upgrade the Beltway in Montgomery County including that Legion Bridge re-do, and finally modify the Prince George’s County portions of the Beltway. [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.
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