Movement at last on the Broad Branch Road project?
For almost two decades, DDOT has been working on plans to rehabilitate and potentially add pedestrian and bike lanes to Broad Branch between Linnean Avenue and Beach Drive. The last major update on where things stand was in 2016, when DDOT revealed it was getting State Department assistance in negotiations with three sovereign nations which have embassy properties adjoining the road. DDOT had also hoped to complete the environmental assessment on the four options for roadway reconstruction in 2016.
Broad Branch Build Alternative 4, at its widest section, includes a climbing lane for bicyclists and a sidewalk.
Perhaps the wheels of diplomacy are finally turning. At a January 27th DC Council performance oversight hearing, DDOT revealed plans for a public meeting on the project this spring, and expectations for the necessary environmental approvals this fall for work that would begin in 2023. Stay tuned.
A tip of the hat to WTOP’s Max Smith, whose article on the 6.5-hour hearing DC Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment tipped us off. Check out his story for updates on the Cleveland Park stormwater and streetscape project, the Tenleytown Metro plaza and the Connecticut Avenue reversible lane study.
More on the study, from DDOT’s written responses to the Council committee:
If anyone is curious, here's a status update from @DDOTDC on a study of possibly putting a protected bike lane on Connecticut Avenue NW: pic.twitter.com/MmHcyclo2E
— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) February 7, 2020
Roberta carroll says
Looking at the sketch for the road it shows a 10 foot wide travel lane for traffic. Fire trucks and met vehicles plus large trucks need 12 feet not 10 feet.. and if a car is to stay 3 feet from a bike the bike lane is not wide enough. Back to the drawing board.
FHC says
Keep in mind that the current travel lanes on Broad Branch are generally 10 feet wide, so the addition of a bike lane would give emergency vehicles more room to maneuver. But a separated or protected bike lane would be ideal.
Randy says
100% Agree, The bike lane would be significantly safer if it was paired with the sidewalk, much the way bike lanes are done throughout London. With the configuration as shown, and especially on Broad Branch where the roadway is very windy, this bike lane will largely be used as additional roadway space for drivers to take faster corners and track outside of their 10′ lane.
Additionally it only provides one-way traffic, so either cyclists moving the opposite direction are forced to share the traffic lane (again, on a windy street with blind corners) or very likely, will use the sidewalk.
Given the relatively assumed low-usage of a sidewalk in this area (very little residential, minimal trail access), a 10′ wide multi-use trail combing the sidewalk and the bike lane would be a significantly better amenity and utilization of space.
Ken says
Don’t assume low-usage of a sidewalk on Broad Branch. I’d use it all the time. I don’t walk there now because it’s too dangerous. I used to ride my bike there a lot, and it was really dangerous.