Category Archives: Transportation

Traffic Fatality on Sargent Rd NE

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

From MPD:

—

Public Information Office 202-727-4383

October 14, 2015

Correction To Traffic Fatality:

5000 Block of Sargent Road at Faraday Place, NE

 (Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Major Crash Unit are investigating a traffic fatality which occurred in the 5000 block of Sargent Road at Faraday Place, Northeast, on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at approximately 6:30 am.

An adult male was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road in the 5000 block of Sargent Road at Faraday Place, Northeast. The striking vehicle did not remain on the scene. Immediately following the collision, the victim was struck again by a second vehicle. The second driver remained on the scene. The victim succumbed to his injuries, while on the scene. During the investigation, the driver of the initial striking vehicle was identified and is currently cooperating with police.

The decedent has been identified as 62-year-old John O. Lindberg of Northwest, DC.

A release on October 13, 2015 erroneously identified the decedent in this case as Leroy Barnes.  The correct identification for the decedent is John O. Lindberg.

Investigation into the crash is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The Metropolitan Police Department is asking anyone with information about this case to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

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Metro’s proposed “rail optimization” plan a no go for now

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

WAMU reports that Metro’s proposed plan to cut service on four lines to help the blue line is dead for now. We posted about that plan here. According to WAMU, the recent transformer fire that has orange and silver line trains skipping Stadium-Armory metro station during rush hour made Metro take another look at the plan that would have dropped rush plus yellow service and reduced the number of rush hour trains on the green and yellow lines, among other changes.

Reminder: Bus hearing tonight

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Metro’s public hearing on bus service changes takes place tonight at 6:30 pm at Metro headquarters (600 5th St. NW). Note in particular changes for Route 80 and elimination of Route 5A to Dulles Airport.

Public Hearing On Proposed Metrobus Service Changes, September 17

Date: September 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Metro’s headquarters at the Jackson Graham Building, 600 5th Street NW Washington, DC

Metro will host a public hearing to obtain feedback on proposed bus service changes that will enhance service for many customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Routes for proposed improvements in the service change proposal are:

District of Columbia: 63, 64, 79, 97, A8, D4, E2, E4, G8, S9, U8, X1, X8, X9
Maryland: F4, G12, Q9, V14
Virginia: 1C, 2B, 10B, 15K, 15L, 16X, 23B, 23T, 26A, 29N

Routes proposed for elimination:

District of Columbia: 5A, 93, B8, B9, D3, N3
Maryland: J13, K11, R3, W19
Virginia: 1E, 5A, 7H, 9A, 10R, 10S, 15M, 18E, 18F, 21A, 21D

Proposed route changes, service reduction or alterations:

District of Columbia: 34, 54, 80, 82, A42, A46, A48, D1, H6, W4, X3
Maryland: 81, B31, C2, C4, G13, G14, G16, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, V15, Z6, Z8, Z9, Z11, Z13, Z29
Virginia: 1A, 1B, 1Z, 2T, 3A, 3T, 4A, 4B, 7A, 7X, 7Y, 16H, 23A, 28X, 38B

Proposed fare changes are:

Q Line

Transfer to/from Metrorail’s Red Line and travel between Wheaton and Silver Spring at no charge.

Capitol Heights and Addison Road Metrorail stations
Bus riders transferring between certain routes can ride between stations at no charge.

Transit Link Card (TLC)
$2 will be added to the TLC price if a new SmarTrip® card is issued. Online purchases require a new card each month.

Metrobus service adjustments are designed to increase on-time performance and customer satisfaction, while increasing ridership and improving cost efficiency.
The current proposal includes input gathered through service evaluations, priority corridor studies, customer surveys, and feedback from customers and jurisdictions. Input gathered from public hearings will help shape the final plan before it is implemented.

Can’t attend the public hearing? There are three additional ways to share your input.

Take a survey. Complete a survey about how these changes would affect you.

Follow the Better Bus Road Show. Metro staff will tour bus stops and attend community meetings and festivals near you to collect your input. There may even be special guests and giveaways. Find the schedule on the Better Bus Road Show Page.

Send an email. Provide written or audio comments to writtentestimony@wmata.com

Plan Ahead for Papal Visit

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Pope Francis will visit DC September 22 – 24, 2015. Metro released preliminary plans. Telework is being encouraged. Large crowds are expected. Shuttle buses will run from Fort Totten and Rhode Island stations to relieve expected congestion at Brookland metro station, which is the closest station to the Basilica.  Visit metro’s website for more information about public transit service during this visit.

September 17: Public Hearing on Proposed Bus Service Changes

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

From Metro:

—

Advisory
Posted: Aug 27, 2015 Expiration: Sep 18, 2015

Public Hearing On Proposed Metrobus Service Changes, September 17

Date: September 17, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Metro’s headquarters at the Jackson Graham Building, 600 5th Street NW Washington, DC

Metro will host a public hearing to obtain feedback on proposed bus service changes that will enhance service for many customers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Routes for proposed improvements in the service change proposal are:

District of Columbia: 63, 64, 79, 97, A8, D4, E2, E4, G8, S9, U8, X1, X8, X9
Maryland: F4, G12, Q9, V14
Virginia: 1C, 2B, 10B, 15K, 15L, 16X, 23B, 23T, 26A, 29N

Routes proposed for elimination:

District of Columbia: 5A, 93, B8, B9, D3, N3
Maryland: J13, K11, R3, W19
Virginia: 1E, 5A, 7H, 9A, 10R, 10S, 15M, 18E, 18F, 21A, 21D

Proposed route changes, service reduction or alterations:

District of Columbia: 34, 54, 80, 82, A42, A46, A48, D1, H6, W4, X3
Maryland: 81, B31, C2, C4, G13, G14, G16, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, V15, Z6, Z8, Z9, Z11, Z13, Z29
Virginia: 1A, 1B, 1Z, 2T, 3A, 3T, 4A, 4B, 7A, 7X, 7Y, 16H, 23A, 28X, 38B

Proposed fare changes are:

Q Line

Transfer to/from Metrorail’s Red Line and travel between Wheaton and Silver Spring at no charge.

Capitol Heights and Addison Road Metrorail stations
Bus riders transferring between certain routes can ride between stations at no charge.

Transit Link Card (TLC)
$2 will be added to the TLC price if a new SmarTrip® card is issued. Online purchases require a new card each month.

Metrobus service adjustments are designed to increase on-time performance and customer satisfaction, while increasing ridership and improving cost efficiency.
The current proposal includes input gathered through service evaluations, priority corridor studies, customer surveys, and feedback from customers and jurisdictions. Input gathered from public hearings will help shape the final plan before it is implemented.

Can’t attend the public hearing? There are three additional ways to share your input.

Take a survey. Complete a survey about how these changes would affect you.

Follow the Better Bus Road Show. Metro staff will tour bus stops and attend community meetings and festivals near you to collect your input. There may even be special guests and giveaways. Find the schedule on the Better Bus Road Show Page.

Send an email. Provide written or audio comments to writtentestimony@wmata.com

Recap of September 2nd MBT meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

Recap from a resident who attended the meeting discussing the proposed alignment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) running from Riggs Road NE to Oglethorpe Street NW:

The Greater Saint Paul Church at 5720 South Dakota Avenue, NE hosted a meeting on the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. The South Manor Park alignment portion was discussed. It runs from Riggs Road NE and to Oglethorpe Street NW, including First Street, NE and Manor Place, NE. Brandon Todd, Ward 4 Council Member (CM); Jim Sebastian, DDOT and members of the South Manor Neighborhood Association and MBT were among those present.

Jim gave a presentation on the South Manor Park alignment showing the changes to First Street and New Hampshire Avenue. He mentioned that an alternate route following the Metro tracks was opposed by the National Park Service (NPS), which owned the land.

During the question and answer session, the community reminded Jim that the proposed alignment was rejected during the prior meeting. The community is not opposed to the MBT, but rather to the changes it will bring to First Street, New Hampshire Avenue and the neighborhood in general. For example, traffic on First Street and New Hampshire Avenue is gridlocked during rush hour. Drivers routinely block-the-box at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue, NE and Blair Road, NE causing major backups in each direction. The Metropolitan Police Department has provided little support. As a result, the MBT changes will only exacerbate a bad situation.

The community requests that DDOT and NPS jointly reconsider opening the alternate route along the Metro tracks. Members of the MBT added that they supported this route in their 2010 discussions with NPS, but that NPS would not consider it. Additionally, the community was informed that considering new routes may require an environmental impact study, which could delay the MBT project and/or increase its cost. CM Todd asked Jim to meet with NPS and reconsider the Metro track alternative in light of the community concerns. All parties will meet again on a date to be determined.

Below are documents handed out at the meeting:

September 2: MBT meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

For those of you interested in the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), there will be a meeting on what is being called the South Manor Park alignment (portion between Riggs Road NE and Oglethorpe Street NW, with emphasis on 1st Street and McDonald Place NE) this Wednesday.

MBT South Manor Park map

Meeting details:

—

St Paul Church and DC Councilmember Todd are hosting a meeting to discuss the trail alignment in the South Manor Park area

Here are the details:

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

6:30-8:00 pm

Greater St. Paul Baptist Church

5720 South Dakota Ave (aka 1st Street) NE

 

Proposed Metrobus Changes

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation, Uncategorized

Metro is proposing service changes to several bus lines. Reprinted from Metro’s website below are just some of the proposed service changes. Visit Metro’s website for a complete list and to take a survey to let Metro know how the proposed changes will affect you.

5A DC-Dulles Line

Proposed Change:

• Eliminate the entire line.

Reason for the Change:

• The Silver Line, Fairfax Connector 981, and the Washington Flyer have reduced the need for the 5A direct bus service between Washington and Dulles.

• Not as many people ride the 5A since the Silver Line opened.

Alternative Transportation Options:

• The Silver Line connects L’Enfant Plaza and Rosslyn to WiehleReston East Metrorail Station. From there, passengers can take Fairfax Connector 981 to Dulles, or Fairfax Connector 551 to Herndon-Monroe Park & Ride.

• The Washington Flyer also provides service between Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station and Dulles Airport.

64 Fort Totten-Petworth Line

Proposed Change:

• Add one AM peak trip and one PM peak trip

• Add more time for buses to get from one end to the other.

Reason for the Change:

• To help reduce crowding in the morning and afternoon rush hours.

• It will help buses to be more on time.

Alternative Transportation Options: • No alternative

80 North Capitol Street Line

Proposed Change:

• Shorten the route by eliminating service between McPherson Square and the Kennedy Center.

Reason for the Change:

• To help buses arrive on time.

Alternative Transportation Options:

• Route D4 would be extended from Franklin Square to the Kennedy Center. Route D4 buses arrive on a similar schedule as route 80.

E2 Fort Totten-Ivy City Line & E4 Military Road-Crosstown Line

Proposed Change:

• Add more time for buses to get from one end to the other, on weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Reason for the Change:

• This will help buses to arrive on time.

Alternative Transportation Options: • No alternative needed.

July 21: Ward 4 Vision Zero event at Takoma metro station

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

From Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Dates, times, and locations for Vision Zero events:

Date Ward Locations Time
7/15/2015 6 Eighth and H Streets, NE 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
7/16/2015 3 Cleveland Park Metro Station, NW 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
7/18/2015 1 14th Street and Irving Street, NW 11:00 pm – 1:30 pm
7/21/2015 4 Takoma Metro Station, NW 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
7/23/2015 8 Anacostia Metro Station, SE 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
7/25/2015 2 M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, NW 11:00 pm – 1:30 pm
7/27/2015 2 Seventh and H Streets, NW 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
7/29/2015 7 Minnesota Avenue Metro Station, NE 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
7/28/2015 5 Rhode Island Ave Metro Station, NE 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
8/1/2015 6 Eastern Market Metro Station, SE 11:00 am – 2:30 pm

 

Add your safety issues Vision Zero Map by visiting http://visionzero.ddot.dc.gov/VisionZero/. To find out more about Vision Zero visit www.DCVisionZero.com.

Crowdsource transportation safety issues around neighborhood

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation, Uncategorized

DDOT recently rolled out a crowdsourcing map as part of its Vision Zero initiative. Residents can click on a location on the map to pinpoint hazardous locations or behaviors. This is an opportunity for everyone to put their concerns on the map, literally. Just click on the link.

Vision Zero crowdsource map screenshot

Snapshot of safety hazards one can pinpoint on the map

Much ado has been made about the reconfiguration of the South Dakota/Riggs Road intersection, but there are a few problems that need to be addressed there and on nearby streets. It would be great if DDOT addressed them before the Walmart opens.

  • The turning radius from northbound South Dakota west onto Riggs is completely off. I witness many a driver either hitting the median with their rear tires or enter the turning path of the car next to them. This might not fit directly into the initiative, but because drivers have a hard time making the turn, sometimes drivers end up getting stuck in the intersection once the left-turn arrow has turned red. If DDOT does not want to remove or change the median (my understanding is this small median is supposed to be a pedestrian island), then maybe painted turn lanes will assist drivers in navigating that turn.

 

  • The placement of the curb cut and crosswalk on the southwest corner of Riggs & South Dakota takes pedestrians out of the line of vision of eastbound drivers on Riggs turning south onto South Dakota. Drivers will already have begun their turn before they realize that there is a pedestrian waiting to cross. If DDOT does not want to move the crosswalk, then perhaps giving pedestrians a headstart would work.

 

  • Where 2nd Street and 3rd Street meet just past Riggs is a big problem. A resident noted that there are no crosswalks anywhere in the vicinity and drivers tend to fly by on both streets. I do not know if reconfiguring the streets into a 3-way T with stop signs would work, but something needs to be done, preferably before the Walmart opens. (We can have a completely separate post on traffic fixes we would like to see addressed before the Walmart opens, such as the fact that we are convinced people will try to turn left out of the garage onto 3rd Street, which will create a huge traffic mess, but that is another post for another day).
2nd-3rd St intersection

2nd – 3rd Street intersection

Those are just a few problem areas. Please use the map to pinpoint places that need to be addressed. If a location is already highlighted, click on it again to add your own unique comment.

DDOT notes this crowdsourcing map does not replace 311, through which residents can make reports either online or by phone. While 311 is not perfect, I did use it to get a double-sided stop sign on my street because a tree was blocking a stop sign and drivers were inadvertently running the stop sign. DDOT came out to investigate and determined that there was indeed a hazard and put up a double sided stop sign on the other side of the street and painted high-visibility crosswalks with a stop line on each corner. I have also noticed residents crossing South Dakota at Jefferson Street to cut through to the metro station. That is a perfect place for a 311 request to have the crosswalk repainted. So let’s use the Vision Zero map to highlight problem areas, but let’s also make 311 requests while we’re at it.

 

 

Proposals for reduction in metro service to add more blue line trains

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Catching up on news. A few articles mention that Metro will consider recommendations for service changes that would affect frequency of rush hour service on several lines. According to WAMU, “Rush Plus service on the Yellow Line would be eliminated, and the number of rush hour trains on the Green and Yellow tracks would drop from 26 to 15 per hour in each direction, which may lead to crowding on those two lines north of downtown D.C. between Fort Totten and Mount Vernon Square stations.” Service on the orange, blue, and silver line trains would also be affected by the recommendations. Metro will survey riders and hold public hearings before approving any service changes, so stay tuned for opportunities for input.

Route/schedule adjustments coming to E Line Metrobuses serving Fort Totten/Riggs Park

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

According to Metro’s planning blog, permanent service adjustments to E line buses will become effective June 21:

    • Route E2 will be revised as the Ivy City-Fort Totten Line. The route will operate between Ivy City and Fort Totten station only, and will no longer connect to Friendship Heights station.
    • Extra “short trips” on Route E4 will be added, which will connect Fort Totten and Friendship Heights station (bypassing Riggs Park).
    • The E3 weekend designation will be eliminated, because the new E2 and E4 will operate seven days a week.

E2_E4_brochure-300x174

More on MBT extension (on tonight’s ANC 5A meeting agenda)

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with
MBT proposed extension map

MBT proposed extension map

If you did not make it to the open house for the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) extension, there will be another chance to learn about the proposed design from DDOT at ANC 5A’s public meeting on March 25. Information about the trail is available on the project website. The WashCycle also has a nice post about the extension.

The new section will run from Brookland to Takoma, so that means that our neighborhood will finally be connected to the existing off-street trail. The new section will run along the railroad tracks from Bates Road to Fort Totten metro station, then along First Place NE, Riggs Road NE, First Street NE, and Blair Road NW. There will also be a new sidewalk on 1st Place NE by the metro station, which is a nice bonus.

The trail experience for the new section will be a bit different from the existing off-street trail because the new section will traverse three major intersections (Riggs Road, New Hampshire Avenue, and Kansas Avenue) and will not run completely alongside the train tracks as the existing off-street trail mostly does.  But, we love that progress is happening to finish the trail.

The proposed design is just a preliminary design. The final design is anticipated to be complete in 2016 and optimistically construction will begin in 2017. Comments may be sent to jim.sebastian@dc.gov.

If you support the trail or have questions, please consider coming out to ANC 5A’s meeting tonight (March 25) at 6:45 pm at UDC-CC’s Backus campus.

 

March 21 & 23: Learn about the proposed Fort Totten extension to the MBT

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

Two opportunities are coming up to learn about the Fort Totten extension to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) and give feedback.  Design is underway to extend the MBT from Brookland to Takoma.  The new section will run along the railroad tracks from Bates Road to Fort Totten metro station, then along First Place NE, Riggs Road NE, First Street NE, and Blair Road NW.

1. March 21, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm DDOT and ANC 4B are hosting a public open house on the extension.

Location: MPD 4th District Headquarters (6001 Georgia Ave NW)

2. March 23, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm DDOT and ANC 4B team up again before ANC 4B’s regular public meeting to give the public a chance to view the plans.

Location: MPD 4th District Headquarters (6001 Georgia Ave NW)

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is also hosting an informal happy hour on March 19 at Simple Bar & Grill in Brightwood to build community support for the extension.  RSVP here.

More information about the MBT and the proposed design is available on the MBT website. Comments and requests for information may be directed to jim.sebastian@dc.gov.

March 21: Save the date for public open house on the MBT

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

We anticipate there will be a meeting in ANC 5A, but in the meantime save the date for March 21 in ANC 4B.  The meeting will be open to everyone.

A message from the MBT Facebook page:

DDOT and ANC4B will host a public open house on Saturday, March 21 to discuss the preliminary design trail from Ft. Totten to Takoma. 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the 4th District police station at Georgia and Peabody, NW. More details to come.

 

Update on Fort Totten section of the MBT

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation and tagged with

WashCycle provides an update on the Fort Totten section of the MBT:

DDOT is planning to have a public meeting some time this spring at which they will present the preliminary design of the Metropolitan Branch Trail’s Fort Totten Section. This is the section in the Takoma and Brookland neighborhoods, from Bates Road at the trash transfer station to the Maryland boundary at Eastern Avenue. They hope to have a draft 30% design completed by this summer and a final version of that completed by the end of the year. That would allow for a final design to be funded in FY 2016 and construction in 2017.

Speaking of clearing sidewalks

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Developers are not the only offenders when it comes to not clearing sidewalks after wintry weather.  District government tends to be a big offender.  See this picture we took on Monday evening of the sidewalk in front of the DOES building on Hamilton Street.

Hamilton Street sidewalk in front of DOES building

Hamilton Street sidewalk in front of DOES building

Around the corner on South Dakota Avenue, the sidewalk has been cleared in front of UDC-CC, but for some strange reason, the sidewalk on Hamilton is a problem.

Absentee property owners are also offenders.  There is a corner house being renovated on Hamilton Street and the owner never clears the sidewalk. Further up Hamilton Street is a group house with one diligent tenant who clears the walk when he is around, but if he is not, the others in the house do not do so. It might be too much to ask neighbors to clear the sidewalk for an absentee owner, but maybe that is the neighborly thing to do.

Generally though, people have been pretty good about clearing the sidewalks and helping each other out.

Comment on proposed metro path by February 19

Posted by nextstoprp in North Michigan PArk, Transportation and tagged with ,

There is one week left to comment on the National Park Service’s environmental assessment of construction of a formal path between Gallatin and Galloway Street NE to improve access to Fort Totten metro station. Currently, no funding plan exists to construct a path. However, it is an easier sell if 100 comments are received as opposed to 25.  Let neighbors who do not use computers know how they can comment or invite them over to use yours. Comments do not have to be elaborate. Just let the Park Service know where you stand on having a formal path to get to the metro station.

Ways to comment:

Rock Creek Park
Attn: Fort Totten-North Michigan Park Pedestrian Access Improvements EA
3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW
Washington, D.C. 20008

Comments must be submitted or postmarked by February 19, 2015.

Metrorail service changes for Tuesday morning

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Metro alert

Metrorail service information for Tuesday, January 13

Updated: 4:55 a.m. / January 13, 2015

Metro is advising rail customers of the following service changes for Tuesday, January 13, following today’s incident at L’Enfant Plaza:

All Yellow Line service will be replaced with additional Blue Line trains operating between Huntington and Largo Town Center, via Rosslyn. Trains on this route will depart every 12 minutes. Use Green Line trains for service between Greenbelt and Downtown DC.

Blue Line trains between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center will operate every 12 minutes.

Orange Line trains will run every 8 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton.

Silver Line trains will run every 12 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Largo Town Center, with many trains expanded to 8-cars long to provide additional capacity.

Green Line trains will run normal service every 6 minutes between Branch Avenue and Greenbelt.

Red Line service is unaffected and will operate on a regular weekday schedule.

A limited shuttle bus option is available between Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza, running every 20 minutes. Board shuttle buses from Pentagon on the lower level of the Pentagon bus bays; from L’Enfant Plaza at 7th & Maryland St SW.

FOR UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK OUR ALERTS PAGE.

Regular Metrobus and Circulator bus service may provide a good alternate travel option for some riders. To check, use the Trip Planner at wmata.com and select the “bus only” option.