It’s been a long time since we’ve had any news on the Broad Branch Road rehabilitation project. Ten months have passed since the parties involved released the environmental assessment of the four rehab alternatives under consideration. And it’s been almost nine months since the opportunity for public comments closed. So we asked for, and received, an update:
DDOT has been involved in discussions with Sovereign Nations which border the existing roadway to determine if additional right-of-way could be acquired (if necessary) for the project. Similar discussions have been held with the National Park Service. Depending on the results of these discussions, DDOT and FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] will then make a decision as to the alternative (roadway and other improvements such as sidewalks and bikeways) that will be advanced.
We are optimistic that these decisions will be made within the next 30 to 60 days.
Stephen Walter
Broad Branch Road study team
Mr. Walter is with Parsons Transportation Group, the engineering firm working with DDOT. The “Sovereign Nations” mentioned above could be any or all that own property along Broad Branch Road. Those include Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Peru, Malaysia and Italy. The additional right-of-way will be needed if planners choose Build Alternatives 3 or 4.
Cross-section of what would be the widest section of Alternative 3.
Broad Branch Build Alternative 4, at its widest section, includes a climbing lane for bicyclists and a sidewalk.
For more information:
Mary Beth Ray says
Exciting news! Peru has been so generous with its land at the stream daylighting project. Hopefully the others will see this project as a wonderful asset to the community.