DC Council Should Demand DDOT's Original Concept C for Connecticut Avenue or Defund the Project

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The District of Columbia Council should demand that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) implement its original Concept C plan for Connecticut Avenue or face the prospect of having the project defunded.

Concept C was the preferred alternative in DDOT's 2019 study of Connecticut Avenue, and it would have created a dedicated bus lane in each direction, along with protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks. However, DDOT has since proposed a scaled-back plan that would eliminate the dedicated bus lanes.

This scaled-back plan is unacceptable. It would fail to meet the needs of bus riders, cyclists, and pedestrians, and it would undermine the District's goals of reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.

Bus Riders

Dedicated bus lanes are essential for improving bus service. They allow buses to bypass traffic congestion, which can save riders time and make bus service more reliable. In fact, a study by the American Public Transportation Association found that dedicated bus lanes can reduce bus travel times by up to 25%.

The District has a long history of investing in dedicated bus lanes, and it has seen the benefits firsthand. For example, the H Street/Benning Road bus lanes have reduced bus travel times by 20%.

The Connecticut Avenue bus lanes would be even more important than the H Street/Benning Road bus lanes. Connecticut Avenue is one of the busiest bus corridors in the District, and it is served by several high-capacity bus lines. Dedicated bus lanes would make a significant difference for the thousands of people who rely on these bus lines every day.

Cyclists

Protected bike lanes are also essential for improving safety and accessibility for cyclists. They physically separate cyclists from traffic, which reduces the risk of crashes. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that protected bike lanes can reduce cyclist injuries by up to 90%.

The District has also seen the benefits of protected bike lanes firsthand. For example, the protected bike lanes on 15th Street NW have made it safer and easier for people to bike in the city.

The Connecticut Avenue protected bike lanes would be even more important than the 15th Street NW protected bike lanes. Connecticut Avenue is a major thoroughfare that connects several neighborhoods and employment centers. Protected bike lanes would make it safer and easier for people to bike to work, school, or errands.

Pedestrians

Wider sidewalks are essential for improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians. They give pedestrians more space to walk, which reduces the risk of being hit by a car. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that wider sidewalks can reduce pedestrian injuries by up to 30%.

The District has also seen the benefits of wider sidewalks firsthand. For example, the wider sidewalks on Georgia Avenue NW have made it safer and easier for people to walk in the city.

The Connecticut Avenue wider sidewalks would be even more important than the Georgia Avenue NW wider sidewalks. Connecticut Avenue is a major thoroughfare that is lined with shops, restaurants, and other businesses. Wider sidewalks would make it safer and easier for people to walk to their destinations.

Traffic Congestion and Air Quality

Dedicated bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and wider sidewalks would all help to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. By making it easier for people to get around without cars, these improvements would reduce the number of cars on the road and the amount of pollution in the air.

The District has a long history of investing in transportation improvements that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. For example, the streetcar system has reduced traffic congestion in the H Street/Benning Road corridor, and the Capital Bikeshare program has reduced air pollution in the District.

The Connecticut Avenue improvements would be even more important than the streetcar system or the Capital Bikeshare program. Connecticut Avenue is one of the most congested corridors in the District, and it is a major source of air pollution. By making it easier for people to get around without cars, these improvements would reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the District.