Broad Branch Road Rehab: What Do You Think?

by Marlene Berlin

[Update: Click here to see the results of the survey.]

Should Broad Branch Road be more welcoming to pedestrians and cyclists? Or should it be left pretty much as it is now?

Representatives from DDOT (DC Department of Transportation) and consultants Parsons Transportation Group held a public meeting on November 8th at the Methodist Home. At this meeting, they laid out their design objectives (see this survey for details) and four possible plans for the rehabilitation of a 1.7 mile stretch of Broad Branch, between Linnean Avenue and Beach Drive. The alternatives, as DDOT describes them, are below. Click on the accompanying images to see a larger version.

[box]No Action Alternative 1
Under the No Action Alternative, the improvements to Broad Branch Road would include minor restoration activities (safety and routine maintenance) that maintain the continuing operation of the existing roadway.

Candidate Build Alternative 2
Alternative 2 represents the minimum width alternative that meets the project’s purpose and need. Along the entire length of Broad Branch Road, this alternative consists of two 10-foot wide travel lanes with standard curb and gutter on both sides of the roadway. A new T-intersection is proposed at Brandywine Street. New 5-foot wide sidewalk will be provided on west side of the roadway extending from Linnean Avenue for approximately 1,000 feet along the open green space. Retaining walls will be provided on both the sides to keep proposed improvements within existing right-of-way. The existing storm drain outfall locations will be maintained and stormwater management will be improved by providing bio-swales/rain gardens where space is available along with water quality catch basins. An optional 5-foot wide sidewalk can be provided on west side from Soapstone Creek to the parking lot entrance just north of Beach Drive.

Candidate Build Alternative 3
Alternative 3 consists of two 10-foot wide travel lanes with standard curb and gutter on both sides of the entire roadway. A new T-intersection is proposed at Brandywine Street. This alternative will also have a 6-foot wide sidewalk on the west side of the roadway for the entire length. A 4-foot wide planting strip will separate the sidewalk and roadway in several sections. Additional right-of-way will be required to accommodate the proposed sidewalk and planting strip. Retaining walls will be provided on both sides of the roadway to minimize steep side slopes. The existing storm drain outfall locations will be maintained and stormwater management will be improved by providing bio-swales/rain gardens where space is available along with water quality catch basins.

Candidate Build Alternative 4
Alternative 4 is the widest of the project alternatives and consists of two 10-foot wide travel lanes, a 4-foot wide bike lane on east side, and standard curb and gutter on both sides of the roadway. A new T-intersection is proposed at Brandywine Street. A 4-foot wide planting strip will separate the sidewalk and roadway in several sections. Additional right-of-way will be required to accommodate proposed sidewalk and planting strip. Retaining walls will be provided on both sides of the roadway to minimize steep side slopes. The existing storm drain outfall locations will be maintained and stormwater management will be improved by providing bio-swales/rain gardens where space is available along with water quality catch basins.[/box]

The meeting was well-attended. Folks wandered through the displays and DDOT folks and consultants answered questions. There was no formal presentation or time for questions.

Newly-elected ANC 3F commissioners Sally Gresham, David Lowell, Manolis Priniotakis and Mary Beth Ray were there. ANC 3F07’s Bob Summersgill stopped by. A few members of the Methodist Home also popped in to see what was going on.

A couple of attendees from Chevy Chase were concerned about the retaining walls and disturbing the nature of Rock Creek Park. Bob Summersgill thought the proposed bike trail did not go far enough in promoting bike access along this stretch. Steve Dryden, a member of the Rock Creek Conservancy, brought up the possibility of making that stretch one way during rush hour and allow cyclists and pedestrians use the other lane. I talked to Bob about lowering the speed limit to 15 miles an hour, enforced by speed cameras, so bikes and cars could more safely share the road.

More detailed descriptions of the objectives and the four designs can be found at www.broadbranchrdea.com. You may also click here to download a brochure they were handing out at the meeting.

We would like to know your thoughts on this project. Please take our survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/5Z6RVFS, and tell us what you think in the comments section below.