With news that a cyclist was struck and injured by the driver of a news van on Sherman Ave. near Euclid St. NW this morning, nearby residents may be interested in plans being put forward by the District Department of Transportation to redesign the streetscape along Sherman between Park Rd. and Florida Ave. A public meeting to solicit final input to the proposed changes has been set for next Thursday.

DDOT wants input as they prepare to redesign the street and sidewalk from a “commuter route” toward a more residential feel. The plan came about after residents asked for changes, according to officials.

“This is really an effort to return Sherman Avenue to the neighborhood,” said John Lisle, spokesperson for DDOT.

Main features for the traffic pattern redesign include removing a lane of traffic in both directions along Sherman Ave., installing bike lanes in both directions, and widening the median. Sidewalks would be widened and refurbished to increase pedestrian traffic, and new street lights and traffic signals would also be installed.

Project engineers will showcase final design plans at Thursday’s meeting, which will take place from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the DC Housing Finance Agency Auditorium (815 Florida Avenue NW). They’re expecting to start construction in August, which would put completion around December 2011.