Proposed Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenue redesign will not change things for cyclists

The main takeaway for cyclists from the recently released Pennsylvania and Potomac Avenue SE Intersection Improvement Project Environmental Assessment (EA) is this:

Bicycle traffic would continue to use the streets; there are no dedicated bicycle lanes or paths in the Proposed Action impact area. Bike lanes along 15th Street SE and 14th Street SE, which end beyond the project construction limits, would remain. The Capital Bikeshare station located at the southwest corner of Pennsylvania Avenue SE and Potomac Avenue SE would remain. The Proposed Action neither affects nor includes any bicycle facilities, and therefore would not contribute to cumulative effects on the bicycle network.

So basically nothing. Nothing good, but nothing bad. This does not mean there is no need for anything:

The primary safety concerns within the study area are related to pedestrian and vehicle safety associated with traffic. The intersection, as currently configured, presents many conflict points for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Traffic congestion, poor visibility, frequent bus stops, pedestrian jaywalking, closely-spaced intersections with inconsistent traffic controls, and skewed geometry contribute to unsafe conditions.

Bicyclists provided qualitative descriptions of biking conditions during public meetings held for this project. They indicated that existing bicycle lanes provide a safe route for bicyclists heading south through the study area. Bicyclists use the 15th Street SE bike lane south to Pennsylvania Avenue SE. South of Pennsylvania Avenue SE, they use the neighborhood streets that have low vehicular traffic. Bicyclists noted the lack of bike lanes to facilitate traveling north through the study area. Bicyclists indicated they would use Potomac Avenue SE in mixed traffic and travel through the Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Potomac Avenue SE, and 14th Street SE intersection to continue heading north on Potomac Avenue SE. DDOT has identified bike lanes along Pennsylvania Avenue SE within the study area as a long term goal. The project is included in both the District of Columbia Bicycle Master Plan (DDOT, 2005) and moveDC, the long-range multimodal transportation plan for the District (DDOT, 2014). Neither of these plans specify whether the bike lanes would occupy the existing Pennsylvania Avenue SE median or use one of the existing vehicular travel lanes.

And comments received highlighted the desire of cyclists for changes

Intersection improvements need to include making the intersection safe for bicycling. Specific improvement features include a protected bike lane allowing those using the currently located Capital Bikeshare station to access the westbound Pennsylvania Avenue SE lanes, and bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE.

The major issues the public requested the project team take into consideration during the development of the design alternatives included the following:

• Bicyclist mobility and safety.
• Evaluation of the location of the current Capital Bikeshare station.

Many of the letters received echoed this.

But the various alternatives just don't add anything

The No Build Alternative would not preclude the inclusion of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE in the future, but no bicycle improvements are currently pending within the study area.

Alternative 2 does not include any improvements or changes to the bicycle network. Future bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE as recommended in the District of Columbia Bicycle Master Plan (DDOT, 2005) and moveDC (DDOT, 2014b) would not be precluded.

Alternative 3 would not preclude the addition of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The central public space created by the Rectangle Park Alternative could be modified to accommodate bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The space could also serve as a way for bicyclists to cross the intersection in a more direct way.

Alternative 4 would not preclude the addition of bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The central public space created by the Ellipse Park Alternative could be modified to accommodate bike lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The space could also serve as a way for bicyclists to cross the intersection in a more direct way

Cyclists will benefit from othee nearby projects though.

DDOT is proposing independent projects at Barney Circle and at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue SE and Minnesota Avenue SE. Both projects intend to slow vehicular traffic in order to provide a safer environment for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.Both projects intend to slow vehicular traffic in order to provide a safer environment for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

No alternative has been selected, but whatever it is, it will require a land jurisdiction transfer between the National Park Service and DDOT. Personally, I prefer Alternative 3., though going north and south on Pennsylvania might be tricky around the oval.

Comments

[TwoWheelsDC]

I live less than a block of Penn SE and I'd prefer if DDOT put its money and energy into making it a proper neighborhood street instead of an urban expressway for Maryland commuters. Make it two lanes with a bike lane, 25mph speed limits, and lights that have like 30 second timing rather than 90.

[JR]

DDOT delivers a turd sandwich yet again!