Just announced by DDOT. Starburst intersection construction nearing an end...

Normal Traffic Patterns To Be Restored In Starburst Intersection

The District Department of Transportation will restore most normal traffic patterns in the Starburst intersection of Northeast DC on Thursday, April 22, 2010, and at the same time, launch a major push to complete construction of the Starburst Plaza.

The traffic-pattern restoration represents a significant milestone toward completion of the roadway and streetcar track construction and related work in the 1500 block of Benning Road and at the  intersection of Benning and Bladensburg Roads, Maryland Avenue, 15th Street, and H Street, which is known as the Starburst intersection.

Final roadway paving in the 1500 block of Benning Road was completed on Wednesday, April 15, making it possible to re-open 16th Street at Benning to normal use. For the past six and a half months, northbound 16th Street motorists have been prohibited from crossing the Benning Road intersection to enter the Hechinger Mall parking lot, and westbound Benning Road motorists have been prohibited from turning left to cross the Benning Road intersection onto southbound 16th Street.

In an additional return to normal traffic, work zone signage and equipment in the middle of H Street at the Starburst intersection will be removed because work in that area is complete.

The construction push now focuses on the Plaza and on the 1400 block of H Street. Beginning on April 22 at the Plaza, contractors will remove the fence surrounding the area, and begin work on constructing two bus pads adjacent to the Plaza – one on the Maryland Avenue side and the other on the Bladensburg Road side – and installing granite curbs and brick gutters, and building sidewalks around the Plaza site.

On the south side of the 1400 block of H Street, the current work zone will be extended around the point where H Street and Maryland Avenue intersect to facilitate reconstruction of the sidewalks and adjacent area. Through the 1400 block, on the south side, the pace of work will increase substantially as contractors extend the streetcar tracks through that block, complete the streetcar track slab and roadway paving, and construct new sidewalks. The 1400 block south-side work is scheduled for completion by early June.

The work is part of DDOT’s Benning Road reconstruction project. More information about the project is available on the DDOT website, www.ddot.dc.gov, under the Ward 7 portion of the  “Projects and Planning” section. Please call on us whenever you would like additional information or assistance.

Earth Day 40th Anniversary Celebration and Kingman Island Cleanup

Roll up your sleeves and join Councilmember Wells, Earthshare, Anacostia Watershead Society and thousands of other volunteers on Saturday, April 24, 2010 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day with a Kingman Island cleanup and celebration. The cleanup will take place on Kingman Island from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and will be followed by an Earth Day celebration with free lunch, music and exhibits at Anacostia Park.

Last year over 2,000 volunteers helped out and removed over 60 tons of trash from the river and we want to exceed that this year.

Please bring a friend and help us spread the word about the event. We look forward to seeing you on the 24th.

If you are interested in participating or have questions about the event you can click here or give Beth from EarthShare a call at 240-333-0318.

Click Here to download the flier and share!

Sidewalk Assurance Act Passes Key Vote
Committee on Public Works and Transportation Approves Important Pedestrian Measure

(Washington, DC) Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3) and Tommy Wells (Ward 6) applauded the actions of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation for voting to approve the Priority Sidewalk Assurance Act of 2010 today. The bill, which now is set for a full Council vote, would require the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to install a sidewalk on at least one side of the street whenever DDOT reconstructs a street.

“Today’s action helps build a walkable city in every neighborhood. This effort is about the city living up to its obligation to provide safe pedestrian access to all our residents – whether children, seniors, or people with disabilities,” added Tommy Wells.

The legislation, which enjoyed substantial support from smart-growth and pedestrian-safety advocates, also provides a process by which new sidewalks are prioritized and ensures that the public has an opportunity to comment on proposed installations.

“Kids shouldn’t have to walk in the street on the way to school because the District has not provided the needed infrastructure,” said Cheh, the chief sponsor of the legislation. “This bill is a common-sense, pedestrian-safety measure, and I am delighted that the Committee has taken this action. My sincere thanks go to Chairman Graham for moving this through his committee and to the members of the Committee who approved the legislation.”

On Tuesday, April 20th at 6:30 pm, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions 5B, 6A and 6C will hold a joint community meeting for an update on streetcars. ANC 5B is hosting the meeting at Wheatley Elementary School, 1299 Neal Street NE.  American Sign Language interpreters will be provided.

District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Gabe Klein and Streetcar Project Manager Scott Kubly will update the community on DDOT's progress toward bringing streetcars to H Street and Benning Road NE.  Councilmembers Harry Thomas, Jr. and Tommy Wells will also be present to make remarks.

At a similar meeting in August 2009, more than 100 people showed up to demonstrate their support for streetcars, and following that meeting, DDOT redoubled its efforts to move streetcars forward. For additional details about the meeting, including information about several bus routes that may be used to reach the meeting, please visit:  http://streetcars4dc.org/?p=100.