DATE: TO:

FRIDAY MARCH 2, 2012 THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, AND TRANSPORTATION VERONICA O. DAVIS FY 12 PEFORMANCE HEARING: DISTRICT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COUNCIL, AND BICYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL

FROM: SUBJECT:

I would like to thank the honorable members of the Committee on Environment, Public Works, and Transportation for the opportunity to submit testimony on the Fiscal Year 2012 performance for the District Department of Transportation, Pedestrian Advisory Council, and Bicycle Advisory Council. I serve as the Street, Traffic and Transportation Committee Chairperson for the Hillcrest Community Civic Association, one of the DC representatives on the Transportation Planning Boards Citizen Advisory Council, and one of the Co-Founders of Black Women Bike. Im submitting written testimony as a public witness. In fiscal year 2013, Id like to see DDOT address the following: Intersection of Minnesota Ave NE and Benning Road NE: This intersection is nothing short of a nightmare for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and buses. The signalization, roadway design, and signage make movements through this intersection challenging. Improvements to this intersection need to be fasttracked. Lefant Square (Minnesota Ave SE and Pennsylvania Ave SE): As recent as earlier this week a pedestrian was hit in this intersection. This is major intersection is the last part of the Pennsylvania Ave SE Great Streets Program in Ward 7. The last the community heard, DDOT is waiting on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to finalize environmental documents. Id like DDOT to work with FHWA to ensure this project moves forward. Pedestrian and Bicycle Access on Sousa Bridge: The Sousa Bridge is the most dangerous crossing over the Anacostia River. I do not think its scheduled to replacement in the near or mid-term future. Absent a new bridge, there are some interims solutions. On the east side of the bridge, cyclists and pedestrians are required to cross the I-295 on and off ramps. The angle of the crossing makes it difficult for pedestrians and cyclist to see motorists and vice versa. At a minimum making the curb cuts ADA compliant will make can help alleviate some

Veronica O. Davis

of the challenges. There is a work around through Anacostia Park and under I295, however its uninviting and to novice not intuitive. DDOT could work with NPS to add lighting under the I-295 bridge, wayfinding that guides cyclists, and pedestrians through the area, and add murals under I-295 to add life. Lastly, I know many cyclists who have gotten flat tires from the glass and debris on the bridge. Please ensure there is regular cleaning of the pedestrian and bike paths on the bridge. Curb Cuts in Hillcrest: Hillcrest has an aging-in place population, in addition to, an increasing baby population, which means strollers. We have two major corridors that need ADA compliant curb cuts: (1) Branch Ave SE between Southern Ave and Pennsylvania Ave SE and (2) Alabama Ave SE between Pennsylvania Ave and Naylor Road SE. Please

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.