The environmental assessment (EA) of DDOT’s various plans to rebuild Broad Branch Road is finally in. And the community is invited to a public meeting next week to learn more about the impacts and costs of each plan.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, November 5th at The Methodist Home (4901 Connecticut Avenue), from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will cover the rehabilitation of the 1.7 mile stretch of Broad Branch Road between Linnean Avenue and Beach Drive. Questions about the meeting should be sent to wayne.wilson@dc.gov.
You can download the report here (be warned – it’s a big one). Or, head to the Chevy Chase, Cleveland Park or Tenley Libraries to review a copy.
DDOT is collecting comments through November 22th via BroadBranch@parsons.com or mail: District Department of Transportation, ATTN: Wayne Wilson, 55 M Street, SE, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20003.
It’s been a year since DDOT and Parsons Transportation Group first laid out their design objectives and offered four proposed design plans. The EA indicates little has changed on those fronts.
1) No Action Alternative. From the EA: “Under the No Action Alternative (Alternative 1), the improvements to Broad Branch Road would include short-term minor restoration activities (safety and routine maintenance) that maintain the continuing operation of the existing roadway.”
2) Candidate Build Alternative 2. “It consists of two 10-foot travel lanes with standard curb and gutter on the east side with either a standard curb and gutter or a linear rain garden (bio-swale) to capture stormwater runoff on the west side.” (see below)
3) Candidate Build Alternative 3. “…Two 10-foot travel lanes, a 6-foot wide sidewalk on the west side of the roadway for the entire length, and standard curb and gutter.” (see below)
4) Candidate Build Alternative 4. “The widest of the project alternatives and consists of two 10-foot travel lanes, a 6-foot wide sidewalk on the west side, a 4-foot wide bike lane on east side, and standard curb and gutter.” (see below)
WashCycle.com has a more detailed summary of what Alternative 4 entails.
Our survey last fall of Broad Branch Road users clearly favored #4. Also, one of DDOT’s design objectives is to “create a safe road for all travel modes.” In our survey, 68% of respondents said this was very important to them. They were far less concerned about another objective: “Minimize use of public parkland.” And last June, ANC 3F unanimously voted to support Alternative 4.
Where do you stand? If you participated in our survey last year, have your views changed?
David Bardin says
Does this new EA discuss the idea of adding pedestrian and bicycle access between Broad Branch Road and Albemarles Street dead end (via a staircase with ramps to walk one’s bike)?
David Bardin says
I do not find discussion.
Page B-29 has aerial photo of DDOT’s paper Albemarle ROW joining Broad Branch Road. (The ROW is undeveloped, but a short, narrow paved roadway is shown, swinging north and paralleling Broad Branch for a few feet.)
Gueta says
David- would like to talk to you. Can you call my cell 02-256-6716. Thanks, gueta
David Bardin says
Note page 3-28 as to historic trails: “The Soapstone Valley foot trail predates the establishment of Rock Creek Park and was originally developed as a carriage road which was converted to a bridle path by the USACE in 1916. The trail was abandoned in 1927 but reconstructed in 1979 using portions of the previous alignment …”
Bob Summersgill says
The ANC 3F resolution did not specifically endorse Alternative 4, but rather states our desires for the redevelopment in which Alternative 4 comes the closest.
Tracy Johnke says
Thanks for the clarification, Bob. It’s an important distinction to make.
Gueta Mezzetti says
You will be increasing traffic onto Broad Branch through Abelmarle, Brandywine, and all the other roads that divert traffic off Conn. during commuter hours. I have seen this already and was warned about this in 2000 when we killed the last expansion. you can provide bike lanes and walking trail without paving, broadening, straightening and otherwise turning the road into a commuter feeder, which will put more pressure on Beach Drive to broaden for commuter traffic. This effort is a thinly veiled attempt to revitalize the traffic plan from 2000, by luring you in with bike and pedestrian access. Don’t fall for it.
Rosalie Fedoruk says
In favor of number 4 with a bike path.