DDOT will study Connecticut Avenue traffic, as requested by three ANCs that line the avenue between Woodley Park and Chevy Chase Circle. Agency representatives will discuss the study – which will include a look at the reversible lanes – at a late November community meeting hosted by ANC 3F’s Streets and Sidewalks Committee.
The meeting will be on Monday, November 26th at 7 p.m., at the offices of Van Ness Main Street (4340 Connecticut). Community members planning to attend should RSVP to info@anc3f.com.
In March, ANC 3F unanimously passed a resolution requesting a comprehensive study. ANC 3C (Cleveland Park) and ANC 3/4G (Chevy Chase) later passed their own resolutions, each asking DDOT to study the impacts of eliminating the reversible rush-hour lanes, adding protected bike lanes and enhancing pedestrian safety.
At ANC 3F’s September meeting, DDOT Community Engagement Specialist Donise Jackson said the agency had started the internal process for hiring a consultant to perform the study.
“The study will mostly be a technical exercise to determine the impacts associated with the removal of the reversible lane,” Jackson told Forest Hills Connection in an email.
Charlie says
I agree that the reversible lanes have to go. They were poorly implemented, making them confusing and dangerous. However, I think we still need 3 lanes in each direction during rush hours. That leaves no room for bike lanes. Let’s keep the bikes on Beach Drive and side streets.
Brett Y says
Why should DC conitinue to subsidize (In this case) Maryland commuters?
Many people can get to downtown from these areas on a bicycle.
Too much infrastructure is handed over to the car.
And its mostly people driving by themselves.
This city needs to create more bicycle infrastructure.
Michael says
Agree with Brett. It’s time to make this road pedestrian and bicycle focused. Seniors and children have very little time to cross given the existing timing of lights. Far too long has Connecticut Ave been used as an extension of the Beltway.
ROBERTA C CARROLL says
The other option would be to widen Beach Drive and let more cars us the park and its north/south route.
Tony Domenico says
Why do we have a study to make rush hour longer. With out the four lane going in in the morning and coming out at night traffic will be backed up longer. If you take out the reverse able lane you have reduced the road carrying capacity by 25%.
I don’t understand why some one would want to mess with a plan that has worked for over 40 years.
Paul says
No matter what the ANCs believe they want (which is totally unclear) nothing will stop commuters from needing to get to work. As soon as Connecticut Avenue becomes difficult to traverse, then the traffic will find its way through the neighborhoods in NW DC. I have lived on Linnean Avenue for over 20 years and seen, daily, the speeding commuters from DC and Maryland ignoring traffic signs, passing each other at high speeds — all the while with impunity because MPD never monitors traffic here or issues tickets. The proposal to eliminate the reversible lanes ignores reality — commuters are going to commute — and the proposal is dangerous, because there is no way that our neighborhoods can absorb the traffic.
Green Eyeshades says
Recommended reading on the reversible lane on Connecticut Avenue and where it fits in the network of other reversible arteries in the District:
https://wamu.org/story/18/11/26/behind-the-scenes-of-d-c-s-carefully-choreographed-traffic-lane-reversals/