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Summary of Dupont Circle ANC 2B
Transportation & Public Infrastructure (TPI) Committee Meeting
Oct. 23, 2019, 7 p.m., Dupont Resource Center, 9 Dupont Circle NW

Discussion Regarding the Proposed K Street Transitway: https://ddot.dc.gov/page/k-street-transitway

TPI Committee Chair Randy Downs reported that the DC Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) held two design charrettes in October 2019 for residents to contribute their ideas regarding the design of the proposed K Street Transitway between 12th Street NW and 21st Street NW.  The October 2019 design charrettes were led by Haley Peckett of DDOT’s Planning and Sustainability Division. Several TPI Committee members attended.

The purpose of the K Street Transitway project is to reconfigure the K Street, NW, corridor to make more efficient and effective use of the right of way for multimodal travel. Planners have been working on the K Street Transitway for over a decade, and Mayor Bowser is strongly pushing the project. Charrette attendees were asked to weigh in specifically on options for protected bike lanes and on loading zones. 

The options for protected bike lanes on the K Street Transitway are to have them to the left of the main travel lanes, adjacent to the transitway or to have them on the right side of the roadway, against the sidewalk. There are pros and cons for these two options, but the general consensus at both the charette and the TPI Committee meeting was that having the bike lane in the middle of K Street was preferred.  

For loading zones, the options are to have loading on only one side of the street or on both sides of the street.  It was generally agreed at both the charette and the TPI Committee meeting that loading on both the north and south sides of the transitway was the only option that made sense. 

The TPI Committee agreed to recommend that the ANC adopt a resolution in support of locating protected bike lanes in the center of K Street and locating loading zones on both the north and south sides of the transitway. 

Past action by ANC 2B on the matter: “.”

Presentation by Pepco Regarding the Capital Grid Project: 

Representatives of PEPCO gave a presentation regarding the planned Capital Grid Project.  The multi-year project involves the following:

• Building a new 10-mile underground transmission line to connect the substations and create a networked system through which we deliver electricity to their customers 
• Upgrading three existing substations in the District and Maryland (Takoma, Champlain, Harvard) 
• Constructing one new substation to serve areas projected to see high growth (Mt. Vernon Square)

Construction on the project is slated to begin in March 2020 and continue for about three years.  In Ward 2, the new high-voltage underground transmission line will be built on Florida Avenue NW near the Champlain Substation, on 16th Street NW from Florida Avenue  NW to T Street NW, and on T Street NW east of 16th Street NW.  

TPI Committee members made several suggestions to PEPCO representatives about the project, emphasizing the importance of good communication with the public during construction.  PEPCO representatives stated that each affected area will have 24/7 access to a communication coordinator and a dedicated website.

The TPI Committee agreed to recommend that the ANC adopt a resolution asking DDOT in its oversight role with respect to PEPCO to ensure that PEPCO adheres to DC’s safe accommodations regulations during construction and to locate newly constructed manholes out of the bike lane on T Street, N.W.  

Chair’s Update on Ongoing Transportation-Related Projects 

TPI Committee Chair Randy Downs updated the committee on proposed and ongoing ANC 2B transportation and public infrastructure projects:

• 17th Street NW:  DDOT eliminated the morning peak reversible lane operation along 17th Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue NW and H Street NW, effective, October 21, 2019.  So far, things seem to be going smoothly. 
• Dupont Circle Sunday Farmers’ Market:  Chair Downs has been in discussion with the Farmers’ Market about concerns related to crowding on the sidewalk and other matters. 

Summary of Dupont Circle ANC 2B
Transportation & Public Infrastructure (TPI) Committee Meeting
Sept. 25, 2019, 7 p.m., Dupont Resource Center, 9 Dupont Circle NW

Discussion Regarding Improvements to H and I Streets NW Permanent Dedicated Bus Lanes— DDOT Notice of Intent #19-004-TDD:  

TPI Committee Chair Randy Downs reported that the DC Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) is planning to make the pilot study of dedicated bus lanes on H and I Streets NW permanent, effective November 12, 2019. DDOT has been conducting a pilot study of the dedicated H and I Street NW bus lanes that officially ended on Sept. 2, 2019. The I Street dedicated bus lane starts at 13th Street NW and ends at Pennsylvania Avenue NW; the H Street dedicated bus lane stretches from Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 14th Street NW. 

• Effective Nov. 12, 2019, DDOT intends to extend the effective hours of the bus lanes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday to reduce confusion about when the red-painted bus lanes are in effect. During those periods, parking will not be permitted.
• To meet the critical loading and freight needs of businesses that will be impacted by the bus lanes, DDOT also intends to create loading zones on the opposite side of the street of the bus lanes (south curb of I Street and north curb of H Street).

DDOT is soliciting written comments on its intent to implement these plans (comments due November 4, 2019).

TPI Committee discussion:

• Committee members unanimously applauded DDOT’s decision to make the dedicated bus lanes and loading zones on H and I Streets NW permanent, regarding the core elements of the plan as a major step towards facilitating improvements in mass transit.
• Committee members suggested that DDOT consider improvements to the signage and marking used for the bus lanes to make them more easily understandable.
• Committee members suggested that DDOT undertake a public education campaign regarding interpreting whatever signage it eventually adopts.
• Committee members suggested that DDOT continue to monitor the corridor with an eye to creating additional loading zones as warranted.

It was agreed that the TPI Committee would prepare a resolution for the ANC’s consideration that regarding DDOT’s plans to make the dedicated bus lanes on H and I Streets NW permanent.

Past action by ANC 2B on the matter: H Street and I Street NW Summer 2019 Bus Lanes Pilot Project (DDOT)

Discussion Regarding WMATA’s Proposed Changes to Metrobus Route 42, 43, L1, and L2  

The TPI Committee discussed changes proposed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to Metrobus routes 42, 43, L1, and L2. This discussion was based on an 18-page document that TPI Chair Downs handed out at the meeting: namely, an October 2019 WMATA document entitled “Metrobus Service Evaluation Study: Mount Pleasant Line: 41, 43; Connecticut Avenue Line: L1, L2: Technical Memorandum #3, Service Plan Recommendations” (https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/upload/Final-Service-Recommendations.pdf).

• Routes 42, 43—Mt. Pleasant Line. For Metrobus routes 42, 43, WMATA is proposing to convert some route 42 trips to route 43 trips (43s go under Dupont Circle, thus bypassing the Dupont Circle Metrorail station). During most off-peak periods, WMATA would operate every other trip as a route 43 and would extend some route 43 trips to Gallery Place.  WMATA has is also proposing to eliminate the last late-night roundtrip bus on route 42.
  • Committee members discussed WMATA’s recommendations regarding changes to Metrobus routes 42, 43 at great length. They questioned whether the proposed changes would result in service improvements for bus riders over the current schedule, in particular, residents who rely exclusively on the bus to get to work, seniors, people with disabilities, and riders traveling with infants and small children.  Committee members noted that converting Metrobus route 42 trips to route 43 trips between Gallery Place/Metro Center and Mt. Pleasant during non-rush-hour periods would mean fewer route 42 buses stopping at the Dupont Circle Metrorail station. Dupont Circle is the hub for transfers not only to the Metro but also to multiple other bus routes (D2; D6, N2, N4, G2, L1, L2). Whatever savings in transit time between Gallery Place and Mt. Pleasant that might be achieved by routing buses under Dupont Circle would be offset for route 42 riders by the reduced number of buses, entailing as much as 30-minute waits for those boarding the bus between S and N Streets, N.W. The elimination of the last late-night roundtrip bus on route 42 was seen as a reduction in bus service for DC residents who rely on it. Committee members were generally of the view that several of WMATA’s proposals seemed to be reducing service and convenience on a heavily used line rather than encouraging the use of public transit.

• Routes L1 and L2—Connecticut Avenue Line.  For Metrobus routes L1, L2, WMATA recommended five service changes, including bus stop consolidation and discontinuing route L1 in the Potomac Park area.  

• Committee members expressed concerns that WMATA’s proposed changes Metrobus routes L1, L2 would reduce service on this line, as well.  Several expressed the view that Connecticut Avenue NW is already underserved and inconsistently served by Metrobuses.  Committee members recommended that WMATA extend bus service on these routes, including restoring the Kennedy Center terminus for the Metrobus route L2.

It was agreed that the TPI Committee would prepare a resolution for the ANC’s consideration that incorporated the key points made by committee members regarding WMATA’s proposed Metrobus routes 42, 43, L1, and L2.

A public hearing to discuss proposed changes to Metrobus routes will be held by WMATA on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at the Metro Headquarters Building beginning at 4:30 p.m. (https://wmata.com/service/bus/upload/B19-03-SOGO-2019-Notice_English-FINAL-1.PDF).

Residents can submit written comments to WMATA at https://www.wmata.com/service/bus/learn-more-about-mt-pleasant-connecticut-ave-lines.cfm

Past actions by ANC 2B on these matters:

Proposed Changes to Metrobus Routes L1 and L2 (WMATA) (DDOT)

Proposed Changes to Metrobus Routes 42 and 43 (WMATA) (DDOT)

DDOT’s Final Report for the 20th/21st/22nd Street NW Protected Bike Lanes 

TPI Committee Chair Downs reported that after reviewing all of the public comments received and the ANC 2A and 2B resolutions, as well as the safety and operational considerations of the three alternatives, DDOT has selected a recommended hybrid alternative for the protected bike lanes. In ANC 2A (Foggy Bottom), the north-south protected bike lane will be built on 21^st St., NW.  In ANC 2B (Dupont Circle), DDOT ratified ANC 2B’s request for putting the protected bike lane on 20^th St. NW.

Other Items Raised by Committee Members

Dupont Circle Sunday Farmers’ Market: Some Committee members raised various concerns related to the operation of the farmers’ market (e.g., overcrowding, dogs in the market where food is sold, booths on sidewalks between Q St. NW and Massachusetts Ave., NW). Members agreed to meet informally with market personnel to discuss these matters.

Bike and Scooter “Micromobility” Corral at 20^th and Q Streets NW. DDOT has been installing on-street micromobility corrals to provide a parking area for e-scooters, bikes, mopeds, and other dockless vehicles, some of which are now being strewn on the sidewalks.  Each corral can accommodate six bicycles and six scooters. It was noted that the newly installed micromobility corral at 20^th and Q Streets is sometimes not utilized, perhaps because people do not know what the corrals are for. A suggestion was made to improve the signage.

16^th Street NW Bus Lane Project Parking Restrictions.  As part of the 16th Street NW Bus Lane project to be implemented in 2020, DDOT plans to extend rush hour parking restrictions on both sides of 16th Street during peak a.m. and p.m. rush periods from Scott Circle to U Street. 

TPI Chair Downs and TPI Committee member Susan Volman reported that they have connected with DDOT to gain additional data and rationale underlying DDOT’s decision about rush hour parking restrictions.

DDOT is scheduled to complete the 100% design plans at the end of 2019 and implementation will start in 2020. Past actions by ANC on the matter: “DDOT’s 16th Street NW Bus Lanes Project,” “DDOT’s 16th Street NW Transit Priority Planning Study.”