DDOT is looking for Design/Build Teams for Metropolitan Branch Trail Extention

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued a request for proposal to extend the Metropolitan Branch Trail from its current end in Brookland to Fort Totten.

The trail extension would connect the current terminus near Bates Road, NE with an area near the Fort Totten Metrorail station. This represents a modest increase of the trail of approximately 2,000 feet.

According to DDOT, the trail extension will include LED lighting, security cameras, and wayfinding signage. Using the Design/Build process, the extension is expected to be complete within 18 months.

The project requires the partnership of DDOT, the National Park Service, which control s a section of the train near Fort Totten; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration.

Connection to Maryland

DDOT also stated that the Fort Totten to Takoma section of the trail was underway and will soon initiate final design on the final segment of the trail connecting Fort Totten to Takoma and the Maryland border.

Southern section of MBT improvements 

Lastly in 2017, DDOT will replace lighting on the MBT between Florida Avenue and Franklin Street NE with new hard-wired LED lights. The NoMa Business Improvement District, in partnership with DDOT, recently added signage on the trail bridge over Florida Avenue to raise awareness of the trail. 

Second Notice of Rulemaking Document for Vision Zero Issued

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) issued its Notice of Second Proposed Rulemaking – Vision Zero. The revised rules reflect how Mayor Bowser will implement the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to reduce the number of transportation-related fatalities to zero by the year 2024.

The proposed rules were initially published in the D.C. Register on December 11, 2015 (62 DCR 15865) and after public feedback, a second version of the proposed rules were issued January 20, 2017.

According to the document, the second iteration “reduces the amount of fines for certain moving violations, adds increased fines or new infractions for dangerous behavior by pedestrians and cyclists, reduces the effective hours of certain safe zones, and clarifies technical language”.

D.C. Council will review this version of the Vision Zero rules over the next 45 days. After which, the new rules will be deemed approved Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules by resolution within the review period.

Changes

The rules propose an assortment of changes that include increasing points toward the revocation or suspension of a driver license if motorists fail to drive cautiously. It includes strengthening rules regarding traveling around emergency vehicles; yielding to buses; and speed restrictions around schools, recreational facilities, and senior centers.

Also included is a motor vehicle equipment provision the requires side guards for large vehicles. This large plastic shield reduces or prevents pedestrians and bicyclists from being run over, pushing them from beneath these vehicles. This rule is primarily in response to the death of Alice Swanson, who was killed after being hit by a truck in 2008.

Fines

The rule will primarily be enforced by expanding current or creating new fines. Below are new or revised fines for Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Motor Vehicles. You can see the enter list of fines here.

The Morning Commute – January 27, 2017

The Morning Commute is an occasional look at meetings or other #BikeSpecific discussions happening in the District.

It also looks at interesting bike ideas or concepts from other places across the globe that could possibly work around here.

Maybe.

  • The Rhode Island Avenue NE Streetscape gets another look
  • Tactical Urbanism comes to North Capitol Street and Lincoln Road
  • A discussion regarding ideas to get the most out of commuter benefits so that employers can get the most of of employees

Rhode Island Avenue NE Streetscape
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 5:00pm-8:00pm, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding streetscape plans for the Rhode Island Avenue corridor. The meeting will be held at the Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin St NE, Washington, DC 20018.

According to the Rhode Island Avenue NE Streetscape Master Plan, the project area includes 28 blocks of Rhode Island Avenue, NE, from 4th Street, NE to Eastern Avenue, NE. DDOT envisions an outcome that is pedestrian friendly and includes amenities like distinctive sidewalks, useful street furniture, lighting improvements, employs low-impact development strategies, street trees and other green spaces.

Generally, the project hopes to recreate the this section of the avenue from a commuter freeway to a cohesive neighborhood street. The project also hopes to spur nascent commercial development This project was initially posed to begin construction in 2015 but was delayed.

This is not the first project aimed at reshaping Rhode Island Avenue. In 2008 and 2011, the Office of Planning completed its Great Streets Initiative and Small Area Plans. The plans took a more commercial focus, suggested thinking of the corridor as a “diamond–a largely un-mined yet valuable investment opportunity“. This corridor was also a potential route for the much maligned DC Streetcar. The most recent DDOT Streetscape Master Plan for the areas was completed in 2014 and has few suggestions to improve bicycling in the area, other than additional bike parking.

Since then, plans for the corridor continue to expand. They include  the planned development of the massive MRP Realty Rhode Island Center, redevelopment of the Rhode Island Shopping Center; and the controversal redevelopment of the Brookland Manor apartments.

This meeting provides an opportunity for bicyclists to request additional amenities. Amenities could include the expansion of the three Capital BikeShare stations on or close to the project corridor. Other improvements could include way finding signage or (GASP!) a road diet for Rhode Island Avenue to include the introduction of protected bike lanes (Pearls!) or a shared trail (OMG!).
(Rhode Island Streetscape Project)

Tactical Urbanism at North Capitol Street and Lincoln Road
No, this isn’t the militarization of the street but an attempt to add pedestrian safety components at the intersection of North Capitol and Lincoln Road, NE.

DDOT will hold a public meeting Monday, February 13, 2017, 6:30 – 8:00pm at the NoMa BID Lobby, 1200 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 to discuss how to make immediate and temporary improvements to this intersection.

Citylab states that Tactical Urbanism is quick, often temporary, and cheap projects that hope to make a small part of a city more lively or enjoyable.These projects include the closing of streets to vehicular traffic or other temporary changes, like the District’s annual Park(ing) day, that allows people to enjoy public space.

This tactical meeting will help DDOT gather information about ongoing or new concerns at the intersection as well as collect data to aid in a future, larger intersection reconstruction project that aims to add permanent structures. DDOT will present a draft design concept and gather comments from the community at this public meeting.

According to DDOT, the initial improvement are based on recommendation from the Mid-City East Livability Study, completed August 2004. Initial plans include closing  a portion of Lincoln Road where vehicles merge on to North Capitol Street. Eventually, the plan hopes to expand to incorporate more of the Mid-City East recommendations.

Funding for these improvements are supported in part through a grant from the Knight Foundation, obtained from the Office of Planning. Using the grant funding, DDOT will use data gathered from this initial project to help inform the larger scale design project. (DDOT)

Changing the Commuter Equation
Just when you thought that you were done with math, Thursday, February 9 from 6:30 to 8:30pm, the Coalition for Smarter Growth will discuss ‘how we can use flexible commuter benefits to create less traffic and pollution and happier workers’. The discussion will occur at ZGF Architects, 1800 K Street, NW, Suite 200.

The discussion hopes to marshal efforts in cities, towns, and other jurisdictions to encourage the use of commuter benefits for more than just cars.  A panel of experts will discuss what it would look like if employers in the District offered a more flexible commuter benefit that converts an employer-subsidized parking space into commuter cash, perhaps encouraging the use of sustainable commuting choices like biking and walking.

Speakers include: Steven Higashide, Senior Program Analyst, Transit Center; Michael Grant, Vice President, ICF;  Marina Budimir, Transportation Planner-TDM, District Department of Transportation; and Cheryl Cort, Policy Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth. Registration requested. (Coalition For Smarter Growth)

Bike, Pedestrian, and DDOT Budget Oversight Hearings Scheduled

A Plethora of BikeShare Bikes
Image: Author

Why hasn’t the District Government built or maintained this or that bike infrastructure?

Ask them yourself.

The Council of the District of Columbia has posted its Performance Oversight hearings schedule for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Approved Budget for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council (DCBAC), and Pedestrian Advisory Council.

Hearings for these agencies are scheduled for Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11am in the fifth floor Council Chambers, room 500, within the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

The agencies will make presentations before the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Council member Mary Cheh (Ward 3). Oversight hearings give residents the opportunity to ask bike or transportation-specific questions, like why the 6th Street NW protected lanes are taking so long or why vehicles continue to make u-turns on Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

The Oversight hearings provide a forum for Council and the public to ask questions regarding the current operations of District Government agencies like DDOT, committees, and other government organizations during the current fiscal year, which began October 1, 2016 and provide information about successes (and failures) during the prior year.

The hearings also provides an opportunity for residents to submit testimony on bicycling-related issues before Council. DDOT representatives will be present and may answer questions about the District’s bicycle-related policies or address concerns or certain community needs.

Testifying before Council also helps you become an advocate for more bicycle infrastructure. Council members, or their staff, may ask questions about your issue and direct government witnesses to explain it or take corrective action.

While advocates always ask people to testify, they rarely explain what that entails. As BikeSpecific has testified a few times before, it has some thoughts on what to expect. If you are ready to testify for the first time, great. Below are some tips:

  • Sign up now. Contact Aukima Benjamin at 724-8062 or e-mail her at abenjamin@dccouncil.us.  She coordinates with the the Committee on Transportation and the Environment.
     
  • The Panel. Once the Committee chair begins the hearing and provides opening remarks, she will empanel witnesses by calling out names and having them sit at a table placed in front of the dais. There can be several panels depending on the total number of speakers. Sometimes, organizations go first, then public witnesses, then government witnesses. The panel table has up to 4 microphones and sometimes a pitcher of water. Have a drink.

    When called, make sure you turn the microphone on and bring it within about 12 inches of your mouth. Say your name, speak normally. If they can’t hear you, make sure the microphone is on and closer to you. When you’re done speaking, turn the microphone off.

    At the center of the witness table, their are 3 lights: green (keep talking), yellow (you’ve got less than 30 seconds), and red (times up and electronic buzzing will commence). They may give you a few more seconds to finish your thought but don’t press your luck.
     

  • Written testimony. Council encourages, but does not require, the submission of written testimony in advance of the hearing, typically three business days before. If you do not submit written testimony beforehand, Council requests that you bring 10 copies with you to the hearing so that they can circulate it among the members and staff.

    If you read what you write, practice reading it. Do this to ensure that you don’t go over time and sometimes written statements sounds strange or cause you to stumble when spoken. The hearing will be televised live on the District’s Cable channel. Tell your friends and warm up the VCR.
     

  • Watch your time. While written testimony can be longer, your oral testimony must be under 3 minutes as they can be strict with regard to time. Those representing organizations tend to have more time, up to 5 minutes. So if you represent a group, you’ll have extra time to make your case.

    Generally, public witnesses are have 3 minutes to voice concerns or praise. Most witnesses read from their written testimony while more experienced speakers tend to highlight particular points so that they have time to discuss them later.

  • You are not the only person with questions. Typically after the panel has made their statements, Council members may ask follow up questions. The Committee Chair begins first. The questions are usually asked in the same order as witness statements. Once the Committee Chair has completed asking her questions, she will ask if members of the committee have questions. If it’s an issue they value, council members may ask more than one question or may ask your thoughts on what someone else says at the witness table. If the Council members don’t ask questions, don’t be offended, time may be an issue. Rarely, Council members who are not member of the Committee may participate. Lucky you.
     
  • Cannot make the hearing. Not everyone is capable of attending due to work or they are out of the area. Council accepts written testimony now and up to two days after the end of the hearing.

    The DCBAC also encourages you to submit comments to it directly. As they will be testifying as an entity of the government, you can contact them about what they’ve done or let them know if you’ve experienced issues while biking. Last year’s Council oversight hearing submission documents for DCBAC as well as other agencies under the purview of the Transportation committee provide insight into what issues are generally discussed.
     

  • Talking in front of large crowds isn’t my thing. Hearings are open to the public so if you have issues with public speaking, the option of just sitting in the hearing room may be for you. As the hearing will be shown live, having a full room shows the Council members and the public the importance of bicycling. Also, attendance is important for the public witnesses, as it lets them know that you have their back.
     
  • No need to freak out. This process can be intimidating. Relax. Hundreds of people of all ages are public witnesses so it’s really not that hard. Talk about what you know, don’t talk about what you don’t. For most public witnesses, the process is not adversarial so be cordial and topical. Council and government agencies really want to know what almost all of you think – but keep it about transportation. If you need to talk about boxing and wrestling, there’s a hearing for that…

For those who want to testify but don’t know where to begin, below is a sample copy of a witness hearing statement or testimony. Depending on how quickly you read, two and a half pages equals about 3 minutes.

Construction Near the MBT Will Close it Nightly for the Next Three Weeks

According to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), starting Sunday, January 22 at 9 pm, the Metropolitan Branch Trail will be closed nightly, Sunday through Thursday, for the next three weeks.

The purpose is to create scaffolding, which will be on the trail for 18 months and protect users from hazards associated with the construction of Four Constitution Square, a new office building and future home of Department of Justice, scheduled to move in at the end of 2018.

Below is a media release from DDOT:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has issued a permit to close a section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail adjacent to 150 M Street NE beginning Sunday, January 22 from 9 pm to 5 am. This closure will continue Sunday through Thursday for approximately three weeks.

 The temporary closure is needed to allow for the erection of scaffolding that will provide protection for trail users from construction activity in the adjacent work site. After the scaffolding is put in place, the trail will operate normally.

The scaffolding is expected to be in place for the duration of the construction at M Street NE, which is expected to take approximately 18 months. Signs will be in place to warn cyclists approaching the area.

DDOT states that a detour, which could involve riding through Dave Thomas Circle or using the trail escalator / stairs trail access near 2nd and N Streets NE, will be posted.

Below is the general location of the scaffolding, which is the section of the trail that runs parallel with the NoMa – Gallaudet University Metrorail station.