Riggs Rd & South Dakota Ave N.E. Construction Update

This Weeks Riggs Rd and SD Ave Construction Update

And the band marches on...slowly!

This Weeks Riggs Rd and SD Ave Construction Update

Extreme Makeover: Ft. Totten Metro Station Edition

  As the construction traffic increases and multiple development projects prepare to permanently change the neighborhood landscape surrounding the Ft. Totten Metro, the residents are left pondering the question "what is being done to improve the neighborhood for us."  Well, DDOT has heard your pleas.  In fact, a little known plan has been in existence for quite some time that will totally re-invent the current pedestrian, cycle and motorized traffic patterns around the entire neighborhood.  The selected design concept for 1st Pl and Galloway St, NE will improve circulation in the area, improve the astetics of the metro station and make it more comfortable for all users going to and from the Fort Totten Metrorail Station.
  As a means of sharing this information with the neighborhood and getting your input and feedback, DDOT will be holding a meeting reviewig the proposed plan this coming Tuesday at the WMATA Police substation.  The presentation will not only review the changes to the station astetics, but also show proposed path locations (yes a cut through for the park between g\Galloway and Gallatain is in the proposal!), improved traffic signals/signage, improved lighting, improved bike storage/access and improved/additional cross walks (the below maps details areas and changes that were studied for the proposal).  If you live in the neighborhoods surrounding , or regularly use, the Ft. Totten Metrorail Station, this meeting is a must attend!



 CommunityWalk Map - 1st Place and Galloway Street NE Transportation Access Study and Improvement Plan

Ft. Totten Metro Station Transportation Access Final Project Presentation
Date: Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Location: WMATA Police Substation
5315 1st Place NE
Washington DC 20011
(next to the Fort Totten Metrorail Station)
Presentation Agenda:
1. Recap of the project goals & process
2. Present preferred design
3. Discuss next steps for the design

Find out more at: http://www.tooledesign.com/forttotten

New North Michigan Park Neighborhood Signs

Proposed Sign Design

  The Friends of North Michigan Park Civic Association is making a push for community beautification and  identity retention.  With the projected increase in both pedestrian and vehicular traffic to the growing area, the FNMPCA want to make sure the neighborhood of North Michigan Park is well defined, and not just lumped in as part of the Ft. Totten Area t.  How do they plan on accomplishing this, well  through the installation of 30 metal banner signs similar to those found in Dupont Circle and Capital Hill. 
   Currently the FNMPCA has submitted plans for approval by the neighborhood ANC's, which need to sign off on the project, in order to get a DDOT permit to install the signs.  The current plans has the 30 signs lining the major thoroughfares of the neighborhood, including South Dakota Ave, Gallatain and 8 St along with others.  Pending ANC approval, which the plan already seems to have, the signs will be fabricated by Gelberg Signs on Washington, DC and delivered for installation.  Not set time line appears to be in place, but it is assumed that once DDOT approve the installation permit the signs should be up in no time.

View NMP Banner Pole Locations in a larger map

DDOT Visitor Parking Permit Program Launches in ANC 5A

 Tired of pesky meter maids ticketing and towing your visitor's cars from in front of your house? 
Don't have time to stand in line at your local district Police Department to get a temporary visitor's pass? 
Well, all your worries and troubles are about to end!
The District Department of Transportation, producers of such useful products as "the courtsey tow" and "the emission inspection station," unveil their newest product the Visitor Parking Permit.

Following the success of DDOT's other pilot VPP programs in other areas of the city, ANC 5A is the newest neighborhood to be issued the nifty annual passes.  The first set of passes were mailed out to eligible residents on the 19th of July and just started showing up in mail boxes today.  Keep an eye open for the new parking passes in your mailboxes in the upcoming days, and as usual be sure to follow the rules...or DDOT will make you pay (more). 

You can find out more about the VPP program HERE.

Ding Ding Ding Goes the Trolly: Metro Streetcar Debut This Week

 One of the most anticipated plans in DC Transportation History, the modern streetcar system, is about to hit another exciting and major milestone tomorrow.  The new DC Streetcar will be on display starting  tomorrow (May 5th) at City Center DC (the site of the old convention center), and run through Saturday.Admittance to the Showcase is free, and the event schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, May 5, 11am – 7pm
• Thursday, May 6, 11am – 7pm
• Friday, May 7, 11am – 7pm
• Saturday, May 8, 11am – 5pm

Citizens will thave a unique opportunity to get a hands on look at the Skoda-Inekon built street cars, which are very similar to the ones currently being used in Portland, OR. 

Want to learn more about the Streetcar program? 
Check out these links for some good information:
d. Streetcar Showcase Announcement
d. Streetcar Proposed System Plan
d.Streetcar Homepage

Met Branch Trail Open: Bike Brookland to Union Station

D-DOT, in conjunction with the Rails to Trail conservancy, cut the ribbon this morning opening the newest section of the Metropolitan Branch Trail Bicycle Path.  It is now possible to bike from Brookland all the way to Union Station on a dedicated bike path.  City construction crews and CaseyTrees will be planting trees, installing benches and completing other finishing touches during the coming weeks.  Another celebration of the trail opening is scheduled for Saturday June 5th as part of National Trails Day.  So get out there and sport your tightest outfit and get peddling to celebrate National Bike Month!!!  MBT Trail updates can be found Here (Click Me).


View MBT: Metropolitan Branch Trail in a larger map