15th Street Traffic Reconfiguration Progress

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has held meetings and conducted extensive research about changing traffic flows on 15th Street. As many of you know, 15th Street serves as a 1-way, 4-lane thoroughfare to shunt commuters and residents from downtown DC to upper 16th Street and into Maryland. Along 15th Street, particularly between Massachusetts and Florida Avenues, traffic frequently speeds, and DDOT is working to slow traffic and make the area more pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

DDOT presented 4 alternative plans to 15th Street, including turning the street into a 2-way street. None of the 4 alternatives recieved overwhelming support from the community, so DDOT decided on a 5th, hybrid version that is now open for public comment.

The version DDOT has under consideration at this time is to keep the street 1-way traveling north, and adding a northbound bicycle lane. Additionally, there will be a southbound "contraflow" bike lane that is shielded from the main roadway by a divider.

More information on the proposal can be found HERE, and comments on the proposal can be sent to christopher.ziemann@dc.gov, or can be sent to me at jack@friendsofjack.com, and I can forward them to Mr. Ziemann.