Via Google Maps.
The Florida Avenue NE of the future may see wider sidewalks and bike lanes, the District Department of Transportation told residents at a public meeting last night. How far into the future? That remains to be seen.
The agency presented three alternatives for the busy corridor, breaking down the options between the NoMa Metro station to 6th Street NE, 6th Street NE to West Virginia Avenue, and West Virginia Avenue to 14th Street NE. The first alternative, described as the least aggressive, would see sidewalks widened and an amenity space provided for trees. There would still be three traffic lanes on both the westbound and eastbound sides.
The second alternative would take away one lane on each side, instead adding a five-foot bike lane from the NoMa station from 6th Street NE. The third alternative goes a step further, adding a buffered bike lane on that stretch and a regular bike lane on the rest of the corridor.
Sam Zimbabwe, Associate Director, Policy, Planning and Sustainability at DDOT, said community input thus far has been nearly unanimous on the need for pedestrian improvements. There’s been strong, but not unanimous support, for bike facilities.
Indeed, consultant Adam Vest described a need to “rebalance” Florida Avenue NE, without taking away auto mobility.
With the planning stage winding down, design and construction come next. So while some residents may see the need for immediate change on Florida Avenue, there’s no set timeline for them to come about. The next stage of the process can take years, although it’s not clear if that will be the case for Florida Avenue.
But in the meantime, smaller changes may be made, including at one of the city’s most insane intersections: Where Florida and New York avenues meet. Changes include adding signs and changing markings. Long-term solutions could “drastically affect the Wendy’s” that is currently trapped between Florida, New York and First Street.
Some proposed changes on 6th Street NE and West Virginia Avenue NE could also happen in the short-term.
Interested parties who want to weigh in on the options can fill out a survey here until April 15.
Alternative one.
Alternative two.
Alternative three.
