Patricia Madden with Fort Meyer Construction, June 30th, 2016, where Davenport Street meets Broad Branch Road. DDOT contractors were resurfacing parts of the road from June 27th through July 8th.
It’s been more than a decade since DDOT and partners started planning a major rehabilitation and reconstruction of Broad Branch Road, which could include walking and bike paths where currently there are none. It’s been more than three years since the final public meeting. And it’s been two years since we last heard of the status of the project.
Thanks to the efforts of Mary Beth Ray, the ANC commissioner for 3F03, we have an update (below). It remains unclear when we will know what will happen to this roadway. But we know now that DDOT continues to work on the environmental assessment and continues talks with the sovereign nations that own land abutting the roadway. DDOT also plans a public meeting this fall – and was scheduled to complete repairs on the most deteriorated areas as of Thursday, July 7th. Here is DDOT’s update:
Broad Branch Road, NW Environmental Assessment and Interim Road Repairs Plan
June 27, 2016
Project Update:
The project update involves the Environmental Assessment and interim road repairs of Broad Branch Road, NW from Beach Drive to Linnean Avenue, NW.
Background:
Started in the early 2000’s, the Broad Branch Road project was dropped in 2007 after objections by Rock Creek Park (NPS) on the District’s preliminary design. The project was restarted in 2011 as an Environmental Assessment (EA) with NPS participation. Following a public hearing in 2013, DDOT attempted to meet with impacted embassies in late 2013 and early 2014. Two initial meetings were held but a critical third embassy meeting was delayed.
Since then, severe storms in 2015 and 2016 have further damaged the roadway and the public’s focus is once again on the need for roadway improvements and pedestrian and bicycle facilities along the roadway. The recent debris buildup and flood damage emphasizes the need to replace the undersized culvert at Soapstone Creek and improve the roadway.
No‐Build and Build Alternatives:
The EA proposed a No Build and three Build Alternatives. The alternatives all maintain roadway as is – two lanes, one in each direction. Alternative 1, the No‐build option, would continue pavement edge repair with some resurfacing with culvert maintained. Alternative 2 reconstructs the roadway with new culvert at Soapstone Creek. Alternative 3 is the same as 2 but with a sidewalk on the slope side. Alternative 4 is the same as 3 but with an uphill bicycle lane next to the Broad Branch stream.
Public Hearing, Input and Resolutions:
A public hearing was held in 2013 and the public weighed in with comments. Following the hearing three (3) adjacent Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) passed resolutions in 201 supporting Alternative 4. It is up to DDOT to select the preferred alternative.
Next Steps:
Due to the potential impact of Alternatives 3 or 4 on institutions and properties of sovereign nations, DDOT is taking the special precaution of meeting with institutions and, with US Department of State’s (DoS) assistance, the impacted embassies. Field work is anticipated this summer and fall to fully determine impacts to property of sovereign nations as well as institutions. A public meeting or second public hearing is anticipated this fall. Again, it is up to DDOT to select the preferred alternative and DDOT desires to complete the EA in 2016. In the meantime, DDOT is monitoring the condition along Broad Branch Road and performing maintenance, resurfacing and emergency repairs as needed.
Interim Road Repairs Plan:
Following severe storms in 2015 and 2016, DDOT has been working on the roadway:
DDOT’s Asset Management (AM) Team is assessing 1.5 miles of Broad Branch Road, NW from Beach Drive to Linnean for pavement and concrete gutter repair. Given the project to follow, it is anticipated that only the deteriorated sections of the roadway will be resurfaced. The repair project will start Monday, June 27th and end Thursday, July 7th, 2016. Watch for Advisories on the DDOT website.
For more information contact: Wayne Wilson, DDOT by phone at 202‐671‐4852 or by email at Wayne.wilson@dc.gov.