
DDOT might extend the current 36th Street “slow street” to Broad Branch Road. Or mark the length of Yuma Street between Connecticut and Massachusetts Avenues with barriers and “15 mph” signs. These are among the proposed additions to the District’s Slow Streets Initiative, which will eventually reserve 20 miles of streets for shared pedestrian, bicycle and motorist travel.
The intention is to give people on foot and on bikes more room to spread out and practice social distancing while traveling to shopping and services in the neighborhood, or simply getting some exercise. There are seven slow streets covering five miles in DC’s 8 wards. Eventually, the slow streets will cover 20 miles. DDOT engineer Emily Dalphy, who recently explained the purpose and criteria for slow streets, said on Twitter on July 1st that the agency has identified 40 miles of potential slow streets. And now DDOT is asking ANCs and other community leaders for feedback.
These are the proposed slow streets in Ward 3 (the streets in the Forest Hills Connection coverage area are in bold):
| 36th St NW | Broad Branch Rd to Connecticut Ave NW |
| 39th St NW | Massachusetts Ave to Fulton St NW |
| 41st St NW | Military Rd to Belt Rd/Chesapeake St NW |
| Chain Bridge Rd NW | Nebraska Ave to MacArthur Blvd NW |
| Chesapeake St NW | 41st St/Belt Rd to Connecticut Ave NW |
| Davenport St NW | Reno Rd to Broad Branch Rd NW |
| Idaho Ave NW | Rodman St to 39th St/Massachusetts Ave NW |
| Rodman St NW | Idaho Ave to Connecticut Ave NW |
| Sherier Pl NW | Norton St to Chain Bridge Rd NW |
| Yuma St NW | Massachusetts Ave to Connecticut Ave NW |
DDOT sent a spreadsheet and map of the proposed slow streets to the District’s ANCs on June 30th. We first saw the list on Twitter, thanks Street Justice reporter Gordon Chaffin.
EXCLUSIVE Here’s 70+ list of possible slow streets @DDOTDC sent to District community leaders today. The agency wants public, ANCs, BIDs to send comments by 7/10. I’m not paywalling this. Pls subscribe/donate to https://t.co/vwAVIMcnLK | https://t.co/JJmvC6vk4o #bikeDC #walkDC pic.twitter.com/JjBjDlU54D
— Gordon Chaffin (@GordonAChaffin) July 1, 2020
