The Monumental Core Framework Plan

The Monumental Core Framework Plan: Connecting New Destinations with the National Mall, previously the National Capital Framework Plan, was adopted by the Commission of Fine Arts on March 19th and approved on April 2nd. It's kind of frustrating that they don't spell out what they changed between October and now after incorporating "suggestions and feedback provided by the public and stakeholders" but as near as I can tell these are the major changes (or things I failed to note last time).

The Southwest Rectangle section decks over the 9th Street tunnel and the Freeway tunnel south of Independence Avenue in addition to burying and decking the railroad tracks all the way to Hancock Square. The SW Freeway is buried and above it F Street SW reemerges to 9th Street. 15th Street is realigned to connect with the new F Street. All of this works to recreate the street grid

As before, in the Potomac Park section (was East Potomac Park) they suggest removing all five bridges involved in the 14th Street Bridge Complex and replacing it with two vehicular bridges, one rail bridge and a Metrorail tunnel. One line that was either added or I missed is this about the Long railroad bridge in this grouping

the existing rail bridge, which is a contributing historic resource, could potentially become available for conversion to pedestrian and bicycle use.

But the illustration shows the new bridge using some of this footprint so it would have to moved to be used.

The biggest change is the dumping of the South Capitol and East Capitol Streets section. They do have separate, older South Capitol Street plan, but why they chose to remove this section I don't know.

Comments

[charlie]

hmm.

So we should a billion dollar building a Metro tunnel for the yellow lines -- lines that are massively underused -- instead of building a new tunnel for the Blue/Orange lines which are massive overused.

Just so it will look pretty.

Sorry, I don't buy it. If you want ped/bike access fix Memorial bridge. A metro station in Potomac Park might be somewhat interesting but it would just be for the tourists.

[Washcycle]

I don't think opportunity costs were considered. Or costs at all. This is more of a "what if money wasn't really an issue" exercise. So this does not preclude decoupling the Blue and Orange lines. Also it's not just to look pretty but to free up valuable land, reconnect the grid and increase security. There's nothing wrong with Metro moving tourists.

We have bike/ped access on the 14th Street Bridge now, but yes, Memorial should be improved (I have a post in the works on that).