Update on Planned Bikeshare Station

Pulling out my response from last month to a reader in the comments who asked about an update on the bikeshare station planned for South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. Installation should happen this fall if not sooner:

I reached out to DDOT. They said, “We are looking to install stations along the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor, including at South Dakota Avenue & Galloway Street NE, later this fall, but timelines may accelerate to the Summer if we get our stations earlier than expected.”

ETA: You can suggest a bikeshare location at https://cabistationrequest.dc.gov.

Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Presentation – Nearing Final Design

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has uploaded the most recent presentation on the rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW to the project website. DDOT held its last public meeting on June 22, 2022.

Presentation: Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Public Meeting, June 22, 2022

This project has been sitting for a while as DDOT updated the project scope and waited for some utility work to be done. I will be honest, even after all these years since this project was first conceived, I am still not entirely sure what exactly DDOT is doing. It seems pretty unwise to deliberately design a project in which bike riders will be cycling in and out of unprotected bike lanes onto shared lanes on a road with lots of hills. But maybe that is just me. People will decide for themselves what is safe or not.

The project will also upgrade the sidewalks in the project area, add a traffic signal, and make other improvements along the corridor. The project page will be updated with the final design once that is complete.

Roadway improvements (copied from project website):

  • Sidewalk and bike lane addition from Kansas Avenue NE to Sligo Mill Road
  • Construct new 6-foot sidewalks with 6-foot grass buffer northbound from Sligo Mill Road to North Capitol Street NW
  • Full-depth Pavement Reconstruction from Whittier Street NW New Hampshire Avenue NE
  • Street lighting upgrade for the entire length of the project and underground installation of ducts to accommodate lighting and traffic and communication cables
  • The Installation of new traffic Signal and intersection reconfiguration at Sligo Mill Rd. and Eastern Ave. NE
  • Signal modifications and ADA improvements at the intersection of Eastern Ave. NE and New Hampshire Ave. NE
  • Modification of existing traffic signals at Eastern Ave. NE and Kansas Ave intersection to accommodate left-turn lane in the Westbound direction
  • Granite curbs for the entire length of the project

Current Project Schedule

  • Design Completion: Summer 2022
  • Construction Begins: TBD
  • Construction Completion: TBD

Project website
https://ddot.dc.gov/page/rehabilitation-eastern-avenue-ne

Project contacts
DDOT Public Outreach Contact – Stacee Hemby, stacee@tbaconnects.com, 202-271-7406
DDOT Project Manager – Tesfalem Aim, tesfalem.aim@dc.gov

Met Branch Trail Brookland-Fort Totten Extension Opening Celebration

Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrating opening of Met Branch Trail Brookland to Fort Totten Extension

On June 18, 2022, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser officially celebrated the opening of the extension of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) from Brookland to Fort Totten Metro station. Residents have been enjoying the extension for several weeks now (I wrote about the extension in this post).

The celebration turned into an informal event after the mayor decided to jettison formal remarks. The National Park Service (NPS) and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) project team and contractors were on hand to celebrate what is really quite an accomplishment. The northern part of the formal trail curves around the green line tunnel. The project required coordination with National Park Service (NPS), Metro, and private property owners.

Next up for DDOT is completing the extension of the MBT from Fort Totten to Takoma (construction anticipated to begin in winter 2023) and then from Blair Road to Piney Branch Road (design underway). People in attendance also pointed out to the mayor the need to close the 8th Street gap between Franklin and Monroe Street NE.

DDOT also noted that east-west connections of interest to residents, like the Avondale segment that will connect the MBT to the Anacostia River Trail, have been put on the backburner so that DDOT can finish up the main north-south trail. They hope to get to these east-west connections within the next 3 years and they fortunately have more trail/bike staff now to work on more projects.

One other tidbit DDOT noted is that they believe construction of a sidewalk on the south side of Galloway Street NE between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street should start next year. (Note, this project on which DDOT is working with NPS, is a different project from the Gallatin Street-Galloway Street pedestrian path through Fort Totten Park). Design of the 10-foot wide multi-use segment is finishing up soon. This small stretch of missing sidewalk has taken literally decades to come to fruition, as is usually the case with projects requiring federal government coordination. But it sounds like this construction promise is a good one.

It really is nice to see this network being built out in and near Riggs Park to provide options for residents to move around the city.

June 22: DDOT Virtual Public Meeting on Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Project

From DDOT

DDOT Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Project Virtual Meeting Flyer

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, for a presentation on the Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE (from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW) project. DDOT will share an update on the project and discuss the upcoming steps at this virtual public meeting.

Project website: https://ddot.dc.gov/page/rehabilitation-eastern-avenue.

DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2022

TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

VIRTUAL MEETING: WEBEX

To view the virtual presentation: rebrand.ly/EasternAveJune22

Event Number: 2313 398 4282

Event Password: June22!

Dial-in option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110 Access code: 2313 398 4282

The Webex system will prompt you for a Numeric Webinar Password: 5863220
Press the # key to join the meeting.

Having difficulties joining the meeting?

If you need technical support during the meeting, please dial 202-309-3491.

Project Background

Eastern Avenue is a boundary street between Washington DC and the state of Maryland. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in support of DDOT’s moveDC plan and Mayor Bowser’s Vision Zero Initiative, is working to create a safer, more livable, sustainable and attractive corridor. This project is in the design; this June 2022 meeting will be the last public meeting before the final design is completed.

Project Overview

The project objective is to increase multi-modal (pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist) safety and to improve the corridor’s appearance and functionality with new pavement and granite curbs; new sidewalks; addition of bicycle lanes; improved lighting; improved drainage; and new landscaping, while reducing vehicular speeds with curb extensions, signal upgrades and pavement markings.

Key Improvements

DDOT has integrated the following key elements into this project since the public meetings based on community feedback:
• Signal modifications and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at the intersection of Eastern Avenue NE and New Hampshire Avenue NE
• Signal modifications and ADA improvements at the intersection of Eastern Avenue NE and Kansas Avenue NE
• New traffic signal and intersection reconfiguration at Eastern Avenue NE and Sligo Mill Road NE
• Full depth roadway pavement reconstruction for the entire length of the project
• Street lighting upgrade for the entire length of the project
• Granite curbs for the entire length of the project
• New inlets and replace and upsize damaged existing inlets
• New sidewalks and replace damaged existing sidewalks

Project Timeline

  • Public Meeting #1
    • December 2016
  • Public Meeting #2
    • September 2017
  • Public Meeting #3
    • June 2022
  • Design Completion
    • July 2022
  • Anticipated Construction
    • 2026

Project Contact
Stacee Hemby, Community Outreach
stacee@tbaconnects.com

Save the Date: June 22 – DDOT Virtual Public Meeting on Eastern Avenue NE Rehabilitation Project

Nice to see there may be some progress on the Eastern Avenue NE rehabilitation project. The District Department of Transporation will be holding a virtual public meeting on the project on June 22, 2022. DDOT released preliminary plans way back in late 2016. Change in the project scope delayed things a bit. Looks like the last post I have on this project is from October 2020.

—

From DDOT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2022

Media Contacts:
German Vigil – (202) 306-1668, german.vigil@dc.gov
Mariam Nabizad – (202) 359-2678, mariam.nabizad@dc.gov

Public Meeting Notice: Virtual Meeting 
Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue (from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW) on June 22, 2022

(Washington, DC) — The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, for a presentation on the Rehabilitation of Eastern Avenue NE (from New Hampshire Avenue NE to Whittier Street NW) project. DDOT will share an update on the project and discuss the upcoming steps at this virtual public meeting. For more information about the project please visit ddot.dc.gov/page/rehabilitation-eastern-avenue or contact the project manager Tesfalem Aim, email Tesfalem.Aim@dc.gov or 202-427-0851.

DATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2022

TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

VIRTUAL MEETING: WEBEX

To view the virtual presentation: rebrand.ly/EasternAveJune22

Event Number: 2313 398 4282

Event Password: June22!

Dial-in option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110 Access code: 2313 398 4282

The Webex system will prompt you for an Attendee ID, this is not required. Press the # key to join the meeting.

Having difficulties joining the meeting?

If you need technical support during the meeting, please dial 202-309-3491.

Kansas Avenue Protected Bike Lanes – Open for Public Comment

The office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George recently tweeted about the notice of intent (NOI 22-169-PSD) published by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to install protected bike lanes on a short stretch of Kansas Avenue between Chillum Place NE and 2nd Street NW. The NOI, available on DDOT’s NOI website, is open for public comment until June 28, 2022. Comments may be submitted to mike.goodno@dc.gov.

From the overview in the NOI:

Kansas Avenue has been identified as part of the bicycle priority network in MoveDC, the District of Columbia’s statewide long-range transportation plan. Standard unprotected bicycle lanes exist today on a majority of Kansas Avenue. The two exceptions are south of Upshur Street and a gap between Chillum Place NE and Blair Road. With this notice, DDOT proposes to close that network gap with one-way protected bike lanes between Chillum Place NE and Blair Road NW and convert portions of the existing unprotected bike lanes between Blair Road and 2nd Street NW to protected.

Also available on the NOI site is ANC 4B’s resolution in support of closing the gap here on Kansas Avenue. This connection will be an important one for those in Lamond-Riggs traveling from the east to connect to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), which will eventually run along Blair Road near this location. (Also shoutout to resident Gavin Baker who takes every opportunity to remind DDOT of the need to fill this gap and not forget about people connecting to the trail from the east).

Images of the proposed design are below

April 20: ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Vision Zero Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating in the meeting are included below:

ANC 4B – Vision Zero Committee (April) 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83357712988?pwd=c1ZGUUR5QXhnNk8yNGFZK2pzNzY3UT09

Meeting ID: 833 5771 2988
Passcode: 888621
For participation via phone call 301-715-8592 and enter the meeting ID and passcode.

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website: https://anc4b.com/committees/vision-zero-committee/.

Rapid Flashing Beacons Coming to South Dakota Avenue & 8th Street NE

I noted in this post that at the last ANC 5A meeting, I mentioned the pedestrian fatality that occurred near South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street NE in February. I should have added that in response, Laisha Dougherty, chief of staff to Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, stated that the CM’s office is aware of and is trying to address the need for traffic calming on South Dakota Avenue.

Image of South Dakota Avenue & 8th Street NE intersection from google maps

I do know that the CM’s office has been in touch with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) about the difficulty that a blind resident has crossing at South Dakota Avenue at 8th Street NE (I mentioned this issue in a couple of my ANC meeting recaps). In response to the efforts of residents in that area over the past few years and recent intervention from the CM’s office, DDOT recently decided that a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) will be installed at that intersection.

For those unfamiliar with rapid flashing beacons, here’s a video from the federal highway administration explaining their purpose. Here is a one pager from DDOT. As noted in the video, rapid flashing beacons work best in conjunction with other traffic calming measures. There are rapid flashing beacons on Sherman Avenue NW that I am pretty familiar with (see dated image of Sherman Avenue below). Edit: There is a rapid flashing beacon on South Dakota Avenue at Decatur Street NE that I always forget about.

Image of rectangular rapid flashing beacons installed on Sherman Avenue at Girard Street NW from google maps, dated July 2019

Some may confuse the rapid flashing beacon with a hawk signal (which is also known as a hybrid pedestrian beacon). They are two different things. There is a hawk signal installed at South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street NE. With a hawk signal, motorists actually get a red signal to stop for pedestrians. With a rapid flashing beacon, motorists see just that, rapid flashing yellow lights indicating that a pedestrian is waiting to cross the road.

Image of hawk signal on South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street NE from google maps, dated August 2021

It is not clear when DDOT will install the rapid flashing beacon on South Dakota Avenue at 8th Street. I do not know how DDOT determined that this is the best option there, but hopefully it will help to slow down drivers a bit and get drivers to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.

March 22: Ward 5 Council Candidate Forum on Transportation (Virtual)

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and Greater Greater Washington are hosting a Ward 5 Council candidate forum on transportation on March 22, 2022, at 7:00 pm.

RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wFR7eEmSRFmdpPJCF1em1A. You can submit questions for the candidates when you register.

Information from WABA below.

Ward 5 Candidate Forum on Transportation Issues

Ward 5 DC Council Transportation Forum on Transportation Issues in Washington, DC

All Candidates running in the 2022 primary were invited.

Issues included but not limited to:
Vision Zero
Bus Rapid Transit
Buses (service and fares)
Protected Bike Lanes
Trails
Parking
Policing and Traffic Enforcement

Hosted by Greater Greater Washington and WABA

Co sponsors: Black Millennials 4 Flint, Moms Clean Air Force DC Chapter, The Coalition for Smarter Growth, DC Environmental Network, Citizens’ Climate Lobby – DC, Sunrise Movement DC

Confirmed Attendees:
Zachary Parker
Gordon-Andrew Fletcher
Vincent Orange
Faith Gibson Hubbard

Mar 22, 2022 07:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)

February 2022 Pedestrian Fatality on South Dakota Avenue

Catching up on some posts. Sadly, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a driver on South Dakota Avenue NE a few weeks ago. The police notice states that the pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk, crossing from south to north, when struck by a driver traveling northbound in the 5300 block of South Dakota Avenue. I asked MPD 4D Lt. Patrick Schaut about this at the single member district meeting of ANC Commissioner Damion McDuffie (5A01) on February 15, 2022. Lt. Schaut said this occurred at the intersection of South Dakota Avenue and Ingraham Street and that the hawk signal at that intersection had not been activated. Unclear to me how a driver traveling northbound South Dakota Avenue could hit someone walking south to north allegedly against the do not walk signal (according to one version of the police report), but MPD is still investigating. No other information was provided at the ANC 5A meeting on February 23, 2022. Condolences to the family of this individual.

Metro Proposed FY2023 Budget Survey & Comment Period

Metro is soliciting comment on its proposed fiscal year 2023 budget, available at https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget. Complete Metro’s budget survey by February 15, 2022.

There will also be three public hearings, one each in Virgina, DC, and Maryland, February 7, 8, and 9. Metro’s budget site and hearing notice contain instructions on how to participate by video (advanced registration required) or in person. There are instructions on how to submit comments and view the public hearings, as well as a summary of the budget proposals. Some fare and service proposals are temporary changes that Metro made last fiscal year that it is now proposing to make permanent and others are entirely new changes. Metro is also proposing to close its sales office at Metro Center.

January 27: Congresswoman Norton Road Safety Town Hall

From Congresswoman Norton’s Office

Jan 24, 2022 Press Release

Town Hall will be held via Zoom on Thursday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, will hold a virtual town hall on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The town hall will focus on road safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and scooter users.

The event will be open to the general public and media. To attend, RSVP by emailing NortonEvents@mail.house.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26.

WHO:            Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

WHEN:          Thursday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:       Via Zoom. RSVP by emailing NortonEvents@mail.house.gov by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26.

November 30: MBT Fort Totten to Takoma Extension Final Design Public Meeting

November 15, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:

Mariam Nabizad – (202) 359-2678, mariam.nabizad@dc.gov

Metropolitan Branch Trail
Fort Totten to Takoma Public Meeting

(Washington, DC) – The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host the final design public meeting to discuss the design of the section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT). The MBT is an important transportation route, providing connections to neighborhoods where residents live , work, and play. Once fully completed, the MBT will be an eight-mile trail that runs from Union Station to Silver Spring, Maryland. The latest section being designed connects the Fort Totten Metro Station to the Takoma neighborhood. The preliminary design for this section was completed in 2016. A public meeting was held in February 2021 to update the public on the progress of the final design. DDOT is nearing the completion of the final design of this section. The key elements of the next section of the MBT include:

▪ New off-street and on-street trail segments
▪ Traffic calming features
▪ Storm water and low-impact development
▪ Traffic signals & Lighting
▪ Lighting & Utilities
▪ Maintenance of Traffic plans
▪ Landscaping plans

For more information about the project, please visit http://metbranchtrail.com If you have questions, please contact the PM Samer Alhawamdeh at metbrachtrail@dc.gov or Phone: (202) 369-4637.

WHAT: Public Meeting for the Metropolitan Branch Trail Fort Totten to Takoma Design Project
WHEN: November 30, 2021
TIME: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING: Please use this link to join the meeting:
https://rebrand.ly/MetBranchTrail_FortTottentoTakoma

How to Join via Phone:

• Dial the US Toll – Washington D.C. Phone Number: +1-202-860-2110
• Dial the meeting’s Access Code: 2314 363 2000, followed by the # key.
• The Webex system will prompt you for an Attendee ID, this is not required. Press the # key to join the meeting.

Can’t Make a Meeting?

Materials from this meeting will be made available at http://metbranchtrail.com within 24 hours of the conclusion of the meeting.

Do you need assistance to participate?

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, its projects, programs, activities, and services on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related statutes. In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code sec. 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination is a violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

If you need special accommodations please contact Cesar Barreto at 202-671-2829 or Cesar.Barreto@dc.gov 72 hours in advance of the meeting.

If you need language assistance services (translation or interpretation), please contact Karen Randolph at 202-671-2620 or Karen.Randolph@dc.gov 72 hours in advance of the meeting. These services will be provided free of charge.

Bikeshare Station Planned for South Dakota Avenue & Galloway Street NE

A 15-dock bikeshare station is slated for the northwestern corner of South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Bicycle Program Specialist Greg Matlesky was on the agenda for ANC Commissioner Gordon Fletcher’s (5A08) community meeting on September 21, 2021. His presentation was cut short due to technical issues.

You can view the presentation here.

One note, the price chart on slide 5 in the presentation is now out of date. The new pricing/time restrictions, effective October 1, 2021, can be found here, reprinted below.

Price Comparison

MEMBERNON-MEMBER
Unlock fee for classic bikes$0$1
Included minutes for classic bikes450
Per-minute rate for classic bikes$0.05 / minute$0.05 / minute
Unlock fee for ebikes$0$1
Included minutes for ebikes00
Per-minute rate for ebikes$0.10 / minute$0.15 / minute
https://www.capitalbikeshare.com/pricing/day-passes

There is additional pricing information for ebikes on the website.

In a follow-up email, Mr. Matlesky stated that DDOT hopes to install the new station sometime next year, but he said that supply chain issues are affecting bikeshare installations so DDOT cannot say for sure (and also their efforts right now are focused on replacing original installations from 2010 and 2011). He said they hope to have a full network of bikeshare stations along the South Dakota Avenue NE corridor within a year or two.

From DDOT presentation: View of bikeshare locations near South Dakota Avenue and Galloway Street NE

Construction halted on North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Pedestrian Path Again

View of unfinished path from Galloway Street NE, September 8, 2021

Just when we thought things were finally back on track for construction of the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten pedestrian path between Galloway and Gallatin streets NE, ANC 5A sends word that the National Park Service (NPS) is halting construction again. And this time more indefinitely it appears. See the communication from ANC 5A below:

The National Park Service (NPS) recently paused construction of the Fort Totten pedestrian trail between Galloway Street and Gallatin Street, N.E. again. 

During preparations to resume construction, the NPS discovered an underground infrastructure that may prohibit the trail from being constructed as planned.    The NPS is surveying the site and considering other options for the trail that could include redesigning the trail or changing its route. 

The site will remain closed for public safety as we explore these options.  

We know this project is important to the community, and it is important to us, too.     We will resume construction as soon as possible. 

Please reach out to me at kym_elder@nps.gov if you should have any questions. 

Color me confused. NPS does not indicate exactly what this “underground infrastructure” is.

This also makes me wonder if a path/sidewalk will ever get constructed on the south side of Galloway between South Dakota and 4th Street NE. That path should have been designed a long time ago. I was told by someone in the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) that after funding was finally budgeted for design, NPS designed a path that was six feet when it should have been 10 feet. Earlier this year in April, NPS wrote to me that “DDOT just transferred the funding to Federal Highway Administration to complete the design of the sidewalk from South Dakota Avenue NE to the existing DDOT/WMATA sidewalk along Galloway Street NE. We do not have a timeline at this point when the design will be completed.” So design of that path appears to be sitting in a black hole somewhere between NPS and DDOT. I remain confused about why all of this seems so hard.

In any case, it is not clear what the timeline is for next steps on the Gallatin-Galloway path or how and when NPS intends to rehabilitate the area where extensive soil has already been removed for construction. But hopefully the unfinished path will not just become an even bigger mud pit than it already was before this project got started.

North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Pedestrian Trail Construction Progress

By Robert Oliver (Contributor)

Construction activity has begun in earnest on the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten pedestrian trail after being halted in July 2020 due to the discovery of an unexploded ordnance on the trail. After testing the soil and getting negative test results, the National Park Service removed the fencing around the trail last month to resume work.

On Tuesday, August 10, 2021, surveyors surveyed and staked the trail a year after its closure. 

Surveyor team, August 10, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

On Thursday, August 12, 2021, the Oak Hill construction team arrived to complete the job. Oak Hill is a subcontractor hired by Autumn General Contracting, LLC. Oak Hill’s construction supervisor stated work to complete the pedestrian path connecting Galloway and Gallatin streets NE across Fort Totten Park should take around six weeks. The crew began removing dirt to prepare the site.

Hauling dirt, August 12, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

  

View of trail construction towards Galloway Street NE, August 12, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver
View of trail construction towards Gallatin Street NE, August 12, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

Construction on North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Pedestrian Trail Anticipated to Resume This Month

A reader asked for a status update on construction of a formal pedestrian trail between Gallatin Street NE and Galloway Street NE that will provide better access for North Michigan Park residents to the Fort Totten Metro station. I confirmed with the National Park Service (NPS) that construction will resume sometime this month in July. Trail construction began at the beginning of July 2020, but was halted just a few weeks later after the construction crew found an unexploded ordnance. Construction has been halted and the area closed off since then in order for NPS to conduct soil testing and figure out next steps to make sure it was safe to continue building the trail.

NPS previously communicated to a couple of residents in May 2021 that construction will begin again in July 2021. I confirmed with NPS yesterday June 30 that they still anticipate a July timeframe to resume construction. NPS stated in an email to me yesterday, “Yes, the trail construction is scheduled to restart later next month and the negative test results is allowing us to continue the work.”

I know that NPS has been giving various dates for resuming construction for a while now, but I think this July timeframe is the most realistic timeframe they have provided so far. So hopefully, residents will in fact see construction of the trail begin again soon.

And also a quick update on a separate, but nearby project, which is the sidewalk that is supposed to be installed on the south side of Galloway between South Dakota Avenue & 4th Street NE. NPS informed me at the end of April 2021, “DDOT just transferred the funding to Federal Highway Administration to complete the design of the sidewalk from South Dakota Avenue NE to the existing DDOT/WMATA sidewalk along Galloway Street NE. We do not have a timeline at this point when the design will be completed.” There have some been some design hiccups with this particular project. I have not followed up with NPS about this issue since that correspondence in April, but my understanding is that their posture is still the same at this point.

DDOT ParkDC Visitor Parking Permit System Available to ANC 5A Residents

Residents in ANC 5A now have access to ParkDC Permits, a new system the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is testing for managing visitor parking permits. With this new system, residents will be able to print out visitor parking passes from a personal printer (or from DC public libraries, DDOT kiosks, or DC police stations if you do not have a personal printer available). Visit https://parkdc.com/permits to register. Be sure to check out the FAQ page because it explains a lot. See DDOT’s notice below.

Dear Resident,

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is excited to announce the preliminary launch of ParkDC Permits, a new, centralized system for DC residents and their visitors to manage visitor, temporary, home health aide, and contractor parking permits via a single online portal.

ParkDC Permits is now available for live testing to you as a resident of ANC 5A in the Michigan Park and Queens Chapel neighborhoods. You can use ParkDC Permits for all of your visitor parking needs. All of the information you need to get started is available on the ParkDC Permits website. Check out ParkDC Permits Instructional Videos and the ParkDC Permits FAQs for more information about the system.

The digital portal will be available District-wide next month. For more information, read the May 2021 Press Release announcing the launch of DDOT’s new digital parking permit system.

If you have questions or need support getting started using ParkDC Permits, please use the feedback feature on the ParkDC Permits website, call our 24/7 Call Center at 202-671-2631, or email ddot.parking@dc.gov.

We look forward to your feedback!

Thank you,

DDOT Parking and Ground Transportation Division

June 16: ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Vison Zero Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating/watching the meeting are included below:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/83166670715?pwd=V3RDR05ydlc0eFZZUC9EbmFBWkhPdz09 

Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 638567.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 638567. 

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/PfW6F0IHYm0

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website at https://anc4b.com/committees/vision-zero-committee/

May 29-September 6, 2021: No green/yellow line service north of Fort Totten

From WMATA

Summer platform reconstruction: West Hyattsville, Prince George’s Plaza, College Park-U of Md, and Greenbelt closed, May 29 – September 6

Rail Service Information

  • No Green or Yellow Line rail service north of Fort Totten.
  • Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington & Mount Vernon Square.
  • Green Line trains will operate between Branch Ave & Fort Totten.
  • On all lines, trains will operate every 12 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minutes on weekends, and every 20 minutes after 9 p.m. Headways are subject to change based on additional weekend track work elsewhere on the system.

Travel Alternatives

  • Free shuttle bus service will be available at the closed stations:
    • Limited-stop service between Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md & Fort Totten every 6-10 minutes.
    • Limited-stop service between Prince George’s Plaza, West Hyattsville & Fort Totten every 6-10 minutes.
    • Local service between Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Prince George’s Plaza, & West Hyattsville every 15 minutes.
  • MARC Camden Line trains will continue to operate at Greenbelt and College Park-U of Md to Union Station.
  • Customers may also consider the regular-route bus service detailed below to get around the construction areas. Metrobus timetables are available here.

Greenbelt

  • Metrobus G12 & G14: service to New Carrollton Station
  • Metrobus R12: service to College Park-U of Md & Deanwood stations
  • TheBus 16: service to New Carrollton Station
  • College Park-U of Md
  • Metrobus 83: service to Rhode Island Ave Station
  • Metrobus 86: service to Prince George’s Plaza & Rhode Island Ave stations
  • Metrobus F6: service to New Carrollton, Prince George’s Plaza, West Hyattsville & Fort Totten stations
  • Metrobus R12: service to College Park-U of Md & Deanwood stations

Prince George’s Plaza

  • Metrobus 86: service to Prince George’s Plaza & Rhode Island Ave stations
  • Metrobus F4: service to Silver Spring & New Carrollton stations
  • Metrobus F6: service to New Carrollton, Prince George’s Plaza, West Hyattsville & Fort Totten stations
  • Metrobus F8: service to West Hyattsville & Cheverly stations
  • Metrobus R4: service to West Hyattsville & Brookland stations
  • TheBus 13: service to West Hyattsville Station
  • TheBus 18: service to Addison Rd Station

West Hyattsville

  • Metrobus F1 & F2: service to Takoma & Cheverly stations
  • Metrobus F6: service to New Carrollton, Prince George’s Plaza, West Hyattsville & Fort Totten stations
  • Metrobus F8: service to West Hyattsville & Cheverly stations
  • Metrobus R4: service to West Hyattsville & Brookland stations
  • TheBus 13: service to West Hyattsville Station

Parking Information

Beginning Saturday, May 29, parking at Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Prince George’s Plaza and West Hyattsville stations will be free for the duration of the closures. Regular rates will be charged at other Metro parking facilities.