Florida Avenue NE Interim Safety Improvements
Mayor Bowser is committed to providing safe streets across the District, and completion of the Florida Avenue NE Multimodal Project is an important piece of that commitment. While the fully‐funded project is in the final design phase, Mayor Bowser has directed DDOT to implement interim safety improvements along the corridor to bridge the gap between the existing conditions and the final capital project.
The Interim Safety Improvements for the Florida Avenue NE corridor will be installed between 2nd Street and 14th Street/H Street NE. The purpose of the interim improvements is to address safety concerns along the corridor by reducing vehicle speeds, improving pedestrian crossings, and providing protected bicycle infrastructure.
In addition to the improvements proposed along Florida Avenue NE, circulation changes are proposed for 6th Street NE between K Street and Florida Avenue NE. Improvements to the intersection of 9th Street, West Virginia Avenue, and L Street NE will also be installed in conjunction with the Florida Avenue NE interim safety improvements.
Florida Ave NE: 2nd St to West Virginia Ave NE
The existing configuration of Florida Avenue NE between 2nd Street and West Virginia Avenue provides three (3) travel lanes in the eastbound direction. Between West Virginia Avenue and 8th Street NE, there are two (2) travel lanes in the westbound direction, increasing to three (3) westbound travel lanes from 8th Street to 2nd Street NE. On‐street parking is prohibited at all times along this section of the corridor.
The proposed interim safety improvements consist of repurposing an existing travel lane in each direction between 3rd Street and West Virginia Avenue NE to facilitate designation of a center turn lane and addition of a two‐way protected cycletrack on the south side of the roadway, as shown in the 30% design plans for the Florida Avenue NE Multimodal Transportation Project. The left‐turn lane will reduce the need for lane changes around turning vehicles, reduce pressure on drivers making left turns, and smooth traffic flow in the general travel lanes. In addition, reducing the number of travel lanes overall will improve pedestrian crossing safety and slow travel speeds along the corridor.
Florida Ave NE: West Virginia Ave to 14th St/H St NE
The existing configuration of Florida Avenue NE between West Virginia Avenue and 14th Street/H Street NE provides two (2) travel lanes in both the east‐ and westbound directions. On‐street parking is provided in sections of the corridor but is prohibited during the morning and afternoon peak periods (7:00 to 9:30 AM and 4:00 to 6:30 PM, respectively).
District Department of Transportation 55 M Street, SE, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20003
The proposed interim safety improvements consist of repurposing an existing travel/off‐peak parking lane in each direction between West Virginia Avenue and Staples Street NE to facilitate designation of a center turn lane/parking lane and one‐way protected bike lanes on the north and south sides of the roadway. The proposed cross‐ section will reduce the number of travel lanes for pedestrians to cross, improving pedestrian safety. The elimination of the part‐time second travel lane in each direction will make it easier to use the on‐street parking spaces, as well as reduce speeding and aggressive passing behavior in this portion of the corridor.
Overall, the existing conditions have approximately 89 parking spaces (currently restricted between the hours of 7:00 and 9:30 AM, as well as 4:00 and 6:30 PM) between West Virginia Avenue and 14th Street/H Street NE. In the proposed conditions, approximately 47 parking spaces will be provided on the north side of Florida Avenue NE; approximately 42 spaces will be removed. However, all of the proposed parking spaces will allow for parking at all times.
6th St NE: K St to Florida Ave NE
DDOT is also proposing to convert 6th Street NE between K Street and Florida Avenue NE to one‐way northbound. Representatives of ANC 6C proposed this conversion to one‐way on 6th Street NE as a safety measure to reduce aggressive driving along these blocks.
Between M Street and Florida Avenue NE, the existing two‐way cycletrack will be maintained. Between K Street and M Street NE, both north‐ and southbound protected bike lanes will be provided to maintain bicycle connectivity. Approximately three (3) parking spaces will be removed due to the proposed changes to circulation; for parking spaces maintained, no changes to the existing restrictions are proposed.
Intersection of 9th St, West Virginia Ave, and L St NE
Improvements are proposed to the intersection of 9th Street, West Virginia Avenue, and L Street NE based on a safety evaluation performed by DDOT at the request of residents in ANC 6A. The primary focus of the intersection safety evaluation was to reduce conflicts between all users. DDOT is proposing to close off access to the north leg (9th Street NE) and west leg (L Street NE) from West Virginia Avenue NE. The closure will be installed using paint and flexible delineator posts in conjunction with the interim improvements proposed for the Florida Avenue NE corridor.
Questions? Contact:
Emily Dalphy ([email protected]) – Transportation Engineer, Vision Zero Division Linda Bailey ([email protected]) – Vision Zero Director
District Department of Transportation 55 M Street, SE, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20003