M Street SE/SW Transportation Study Draft Report

The Draft Report of the M Street SE/SW Transportation Study was recently released for comment, and the mixed feelings that most commenters had about it appear to have been widespread

Surprisingly, the input provided was broadly split amongst the three multimodal alternatives, with no clear “winner” rising to the top as the preferred choice by the public. A number of respondents indicated a preference for certain elements of two or more alternatives that would be considered more favorable if combined together to form a “hybrid” option. For instance, one comment might recommend moving forward with Alternative 1 but consider a revised concept to include a cycle track along M Street west of South Capitol Street or preservation of the bike lanes on I (Eye) Street. At the same time, other feedback included different combinations, such providing on‐street parking as an additional element to Alternative 3 within the specific segments of M Street and Maine Avenue. There were also concerns about M Street/South Capitol Street being brought to grade because of the impact on vehicular congestion and the challenges of the pedestrian crossing distance.

Ideas that might happen in the short term - beyond those that are happening already - include the conversion of on-street car parking to bike parking, road diets that allow for bike facilities, 

Other long term ideas include making L and K Streets into bicycle boulevards; reconnecting N and O streets SW just for bicyclists,  

Comments

[Michael H.]

Interesting article about the growing popularity of train travel.

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/11/21/as-intercity-train-trips-increase-highway-and-air-travel-slump/

While it's not directly related to cycling, it's related to the trend away from individual car travel in the U.S. Perhaps this will make more state and local governments friendlier to mixed approaches to transportation policy and funding. Intercity trains, subways and cycling could get increased support and infrastructure.

[antibozo]

washcycle, you okay? I know you're busy with the twins and all…

[Washcycle]

I'm ok. Hard drive....less so. Is it bad if you cant get to the Windows splash screen?

Also worked 60 hours last week ( despite the holiday) and will do the same this one.

[Brendan]

Ride Washcycle! Ride!! I mean change diapers, work, change diapers, sleep, work, change diapers. You'll get through it. Forget about the blog for a while.

[Michael H.]

You should reward yourself with this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f238/

Unless you already have it.

[Jonathan Krall]

Thanks for posting! You had us worried.

[Christopher Fotos]

Here's a headline you don't read every day: Bicyclist Survives After Dump Truck Runs Over His Head

[NeilB]

the dump truck article contains a couple of our hot-button topics.

News stories that are written as though vehicles are autonomous: "when an unoccupied dump truck started rolling south on Quincy and struck him." So here's a case where it finally is true.

Helmets: "The man was knocked to the ground and one of the truck’s tires ran over his head, said Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck. The man was wearing a helmet at the time and the helmet likely saved his life."