Transportation News
Total: 8
DDOT will receive funding in the amount of $123.5 million for “ready to go” road, bridge and other transportation related projects. Please note that estimates for construction costs on each project will be provided at the conclusion of the contractor selection process to encourage a more competitive process for the District. Select the link to view a list of projects:
The Fenty Administration along with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and the USDOT Federal Highway Administration today announced work has started on the first transportation related American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) project for the District. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) began work this weekend on the repaving of the Southeast/Southwest Freeway (I-395).
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be involved in transportation improvements for the District,” said Mayor Fenty. “Not only are we addressing out-of-date infrastructure and necessary bridge repairs, but we are working towards expanding our alternative transportation and safety programs such as SmartBike and Safe Route to Schools as well.”
DDOT Director Gabe Klein said, “The staff at DDOT is working very hard to meet our deadlines to ensure the city realizes all the benefits from the available ARRA funding.” Klein added “Our partnerships with the USDOT and Federal Highway Administration provide us with the tools we need to ensure we meet our goals.”
Fenty Administration Announces District Sidewalk Stimulus Program
ARRA money to kick off installation of 200 miles of sidewalks
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty along with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director, Gabe Klein announced plans to begin installation of 200 miles of sidewalks in the District starting this summer.
“Pedestrian safety is one of the District’s top priorities,” said Mayor Fenty. “It is paramount that we provide a safe walking environment for all residents and visitors to the nation’s capital.”
The District received nearly $4 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to begin the work of implementing the recently finalized District Pedestrian Master Plan’s recommendation to fill the gaps in the District’s sidewalk network. The preliminary list of locations was compiled by matching medium and high pedestrian activity areas with missing sidewalk locations and reviewing comments received from Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and residents.
New sidewalks are often added during major roadway projects, which are prioritized by pavement condition and not the absence of sidewalks. Due to funding limitations, DDOT typically does not have a stand-alone contract to construct new sidewalks in the District. The ARRA funds will allow DDOT to begin constructing necessary missing links of sidewalks where they are most needed from a pedestrian perspective and independent of roadway conditions.
Because the monies are part of a Transportation Enhancement project the District is able to use federal resources for pedestrian facilities on streets that are typically not eligible for federal aid such as local roadways. These local streets typically have the greatest need for these facilities.
There are over 200 miles of missing sidewalk links in the District. These resources, while substantial, will still only cover a portion of those gaps. The sidewalks to be installed under this contract were prioritized by assessment of pedestrian demand–meaning these are pedestrian pathways to commercial areas, transit resources, schools, recreation centers, or other high demand destinations. The missing sidewalks are a real safety risk and must be addressed.
People with disabilities make up 20 percent of the District’s population (that’s 116,000 persons), 12 percent of District residents are 65 years or older, and six percent are five years old or younger, so it is critical to provide a sidewalk system to accommodate a variety of needs.
Sidewalks benefit both pedestrians and motorists by creating separation between pedestrian and vehicular travel paths. They also provide places for children to walk, run, skate, ride bikes and play. Sidewalks significantly reduce the chance of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle.
Nearly 18 percent of District streets, almost 200 miles, have sidewalks on only one side of the street, or no sidewalks at all, where there is significant vehicular traffic and many people walking.
For additional information on the District’s Pedestrian Master Plan or to view a list of the most currently recommended sidewalk installations visit
ddot.dc.gov.
District Tops in Obligating ARRA Transportation Funds
GAO report details Stimulus spending plans in District and 16 states
The Fenty Administration proudly announced the District of Columbia is leading the way in obligating American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) state transportation funds. According to the States’ and Localities’ Current and Planned Uses of Funds While Facing Fiscal Stresses report released July 9 by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), a mandated report stressing state accountability and transparency in the use of ARRA funds, the District has obligated 95 percent of the state ARRA funds that were required to be obligated during the first 120 days, and ranks number one over the 16 select states GAO reviewed.
The Recovery Act stipulates that each state must obligate a certain percentage of funds within the first 120 days it’s granted. The District was required to obligate 50 percent of $86 million identified as state highway funds by June 30. Under Mayor Fenty’s direction, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) exceeded that goal on April 22 and has now obligated $82.6 million, which is 95 percent of that amount.
“The District is working as hard as humanly possible to get our stimulus dollars out in the communities where they are needed most,” said Mayor Fenty. “We are pleased that DDOT received this recognition, and commend them for their stellar work to improve the District’s infrastructure.”
The District’s transportation ARRA funds are being used to move forward significant infrastructure and economic enhancement projects and include street and interstate reconstruction and resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, installation and repair of new sidewalks and roadways, and expansion of the city’s bike-share program. The first project to be completed was the repaving of Interstate 395 and a second, a streetlight upgrade and improvement project, is underway.
“This money will be spent in the neighborhoods that need it the most—to create jobs, spark economic development, and build world-class public space for our citizens,” said Gabe Klein, the Director of DDOT. “We thank the Obama Administration for the opportunity to address long overdue infrastructure projects.”
The District received a total of $123.5 million in ARRA funding for transportation related projects including road, bridges and other transportation related programs.
For a full list of DDOT’s stimulus projects or more detail on the District’s ARRA projects, visit the District’s stimulus website. The entire GAO report is available here*.
DDOT Green Jobs Programs Awarded Federal Stimulus Funding
The District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) has been awarded nearly $2.8 million in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to create green jobs in the District and improve the health of the city’s urban tree canopy.
“This is what the stimulus money was intended to do–to put people to work,” said DDOT Director Gabe Klein, “and in this case there’s a significant environmental as well as an economic benefit for the District.”
DDOT, in partnership with Washington Parks & People, will receive $2.692 million to create the DC Green Corps. The DC Green Corps will provide a citywide gateway to 50 different green career tracks in urban and community forestry, forest-based ecosystems and watershed restoration. Washington Parks & People is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and enhancing public parks, and the DC Green Corps will be based at the new Marvin Gaye Community Greening Center in the Watts Branch sub-watershed of the Anacostia River.
Fenty Administration Begins Repairs on New York Avenue Bridge
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein and Federal Highway today announced work is beginning on the District’s largest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) transportation project. The New York Avenue Bridge over the CSX Railroad Project is a two-year $36.5 million project, administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
“This project is the largest ARRA project in the city and more importantly is located at the entrance to one of the city’s fastest growing areas,” said Mayor Fenty. “The work we’re doing here is vital to the safety and continuing economic prosperity of this area and as such we are extremely pleased to see this project start and the extensive and necessary repairs made to this major corridor in the District.”
Repair work includes extensive preservation to the bridges underside, deck and roadway work from North Capitol Street to Bladensburg Road, NE.
The initial work will take approximately six months and will take place below the bridge with little or no impact on traffic. Beginning spring 2010 DDOT will begin work on the deck replacement portion of the project and as such a half-mile stretch of New York Avenue, NE will shrink from six lanes to four lanes. DDOT anticipates drivers in the area can expect 15-30 minute delays during this vital construction period. With concurrent improvement projects occurring on other DC roads, limiting traffic impacts on the already-congested New York Avenue corridor is a top goal of DDOT.
“DDOT recognizes the impact a project of this magnitude may have on the region and as such has already held numerous meetings and briefings with both local and regional representatives including congressional staff, Maryland SHA, VDOT, emergency response, trucker and tour bus industries and many others,” said DDOT Director Klein. “We will continue to focus our efforts on ensuring residents, businesses owners and motorists are well informed about any impacts this project will have on the community and on the region.”
DDOT has developed a comprehensive program to begin in spring 2010 to assist travelers in this area. The program includes a ride-sharing incentive program, minimum lane closures, advanced notice at decision making travel points, and an aggressive education and public outreach plan.
Fenty Administration Kicks-Off Great Streets Pennsylvania Avenue ARRA Project
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty along with District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Gabe Klein and community members today kicked-off another District American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) transportation project. Today’s project includes DDOT’s Great Streets Pennsylvania Avenue initiative, a $30M project focused on developing a full vision for the transportation operations and public realm character of this major corridor. DDOT worked closely with the community throughout the planning of this project holding numerous meetings and partnering with local community groups including the East of Sousa Bridge Pennsylvania Avenue Revitalization Task Force, a grassroots community lead organization that provided valuable insight to the traffic safety concerns and problems impacting this major commuter route.
“I am extremely pleased to be here today to begin yet another Great Streets project for the District,” said Mayor Fenty. “This project, through its comprehensive design, is strongly focused on reestablishing historic neighborhoods and will create a unifying place where neighborhoods from north and south of the corridor can come together to shop visit, play, learn and live without being separated any longer by extreme traffic conditions.”
The Great Streets program links transportation investments in the physical infrastructure “between the curbs” with economic development investments in private properties “behind the curb.” The objective is to improve neighborhoods quality of life and expand economic opportunity and success of existing and additional businesses.
“DDOT could not be more pleased to be part of this historic transformation along this culturally rich corridor,” said DDOT Director Klein. “The investment in this major project includes planned reduction of lanes, a new landscaped median and the completion of the sidewalk network on both sides of this roadway. It will not only improve the character of the neighborhood but more important provide a safer walkable environment for residents and visitors to this area.”
This section of Pennsylvania Avenue is home to many historic and proud neighborhoods, among them Fairlawn, Randall Highlands, Hillcrest and Fairfax Village. These neighborhoods, primarily African American are rich in economic, cultural and generational diversity.
The Pennsylvania Avenue Great Streets project covers 6.5 lane miles of construction from 200 ft. west of 27th Street to Southern Avenue and will include the installment of a median, streetscape, utility upgrades, new curb, gutter, pavement and landscaping. The project is designed to create a safe place where residents, visitors and regional travelers can travel over, across, to and through the corridor on foot, bus or car with ease and comfort while developing a street that is kind to the natural and human environment with majestic trees, enhanced park spaces, and reduction of the environmental impact of the corridor.
The project also includes the construction of three environmentally friendly raingardens. Raingardens are a method of treating storm runoff by utilizing a mixture of soil and plants to filter out pollutants prior to the runoff entering our storm sewer systems.
A portion of the corridor will be reduced from 5 lanes to 4 lanes and in its place will be a landscaped median and turn pockets that protect pedestrians and neighborhood vehicles. There will be expanded on-street parking at the three retail nodes along the corridor and DDOT will complete the sidewalk network on both sides of the street for the full length of the corridor. In addition, the project will improve signal operations and traffic management and integrate transit facilities to promote and enhance transit travel.
Construction will be done in four phases with work hours from 7am – 7pm Monday through Friday. During construction one lane of traffic will maintained at all times with a reversible lane allowing for two lanes of traffic during applicable rush hour traffic. Parking restrictions will be posted in advance.
The District received a total of $123.5M in ARRA funding for transportation related projects including road, bridges and other transportation related programs. Over $80M of the total monies are identified as state highway funds.
Fenty Administration Begins Eastern Avenue Bridge Work
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty along with District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein today announced work will begin on the Eastern Avenue Bridge, which carries 21,800 cars per day. The $10.4M stimulus project is administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and is scheduled to begin in late November 2009.
“We are pleased to see shovels going in the ground and jobs being filled as a result of DDOT’s stimulus projects,” said Mayor Fenty. “Our transportation infrastructure has many needs and the money allotted the District by the Obama administration allows us the capability to move forward on these important reconstruction and rehabilitation projects.”
The year-long work on the Eastern Avenue Bridge project includes the demolition and reconstruction of the existing Eastern Avenue Bridge over Kenilworth Avenue in northeast DC. The existing structure has a clearance height of 14 feet and has been the sight of numerous accidents over the years. The reconstruction of the bridge will increase the clearance height to 16 feet, which should significantly reduce the number of clearance related accidents.
“DDOT is particularly pleased to roll out yet another ARRA project for the District,” said DDOT Director Klein. “We have been a leading DOT in obligation and now we are ramping up our construction and spending of stimulus dollars to meet the key priorities of the District. We are pleased to now be leading again with DDOT’s innovative approach to safety and traffic congestion mitigation techniques.”
The construction of this bridge will involve innovative measures such as pre-casting several large elements of the bridge. This value-added engineering will allow DDOT to decrease the overall schedule as well as the duration of lane closures during work. The use of the pre-casting technology allows DDOT to decrease the project from a projected two years to a less than one year time frame.
The innovative approach to this project will reduce congestion, improve safety and improve customer satisfaction - criteria DDOT met that awarded the agency a $1M grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Highways For Life (HFL) program. HFL is a grant program to promote innovative construction techniques to minimize negative impacts on the users of the road.
In addition to the reconstruction of the bridge, DDOT will renovate an existing pump station
serving this area to relieve drainage and flooding problems. Using a holistic approach to the area, DDOT recognized a consistent flooding concern from the residents and motorists who traverse the bridge and its adjoining service roadways. The improvements to the pump station which includes construction of new pumps and improvements to the station will alleviate infrastructure damaging flooding.
Shortly after construction begins it will be necessary for DDOT to close the bridge entirely to all modes of traffic. The service roads will remain open. The bridge is used mainly as a vehicular crossing over Kenilworth Avenue and for the minimal amount of pedestrian traffic the next pedestrian crossing is at Polk Street.
DDOT will maintain two lanes of traffic at all times which may include the use of the service roads as an additional lane. During a short time of the construction, when the pier work is underway, the use of the service road as a lane will be in effect. DDOT and the Maryland State Highway Administration will post Variable Message Signs along the I-295/Kenilworth Avenue corridor to keep motorists informed of any lane closures. Additional information on this project may be found at
ddot.dc.gov under “Major Construction Initiatives.”
The District received a total of $123.5M in ARRA funding for transportation related projects including road, bridges and other transportation related programs. Over $80M of the total monies are identified as state highway funds.
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