The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) wants an in-depth examination of Mount Pleasant neighborhood and its environs to improve current vehicular circulation pattern, pedestrian, mass transit and bicycle safety. This neighborhood hosts busy east-west arterials leading to destination centers in and around the city. These roadways strive to serve and meet the demands of frequent transit routes, heavy pedestrian traffic, rush hour commuter demands, local auto destinations, bicyclists, and business loading. The corridor is challenged by a limited right of way that presents a bottleneck in the vehicular travel system. Pedestrian facilities are narrow and generally insufficient for demand. Bicycle facilities are absent despite demand. Presently, the efficient or reliable mobility of all modes are compromised, which in turn, presents a challenge to future development and economic expansion. DDOT is committed to making major transportation investments and improvements along these corridors including streetscape. DDOT and other District agencies wish to prioritize transit, safety, explore options to better accommodate pedestrian and bicycle needs in the neighborhood.

Mount Pleasant neighborhood is one of the designated historic districts in Washington, DC. It is densely populated and has major east – west roadway network, providing access to such areas as: Washington Hospital Medical Center, The National Zoo, University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, 16th Street, on the eastern border is a principal arterial roadway with an average daily traffic of approximately 30-40,000 vehicles. Irving Street and Park Road are minor arterials while Mount Pleasant Street and Harvard Street are collectors. These roadways (Irving, Park and 16th Street) serve the major cross-town east-west and north-south traffic movements.

These roadways are highly signalized with four legged intersections, T-intersections, multi-approached intersections and sign controlled interchanges. Also, concerns have been raised about excessive traffic speeds along Irving Street. As a result of the complexity and issues indicated above, these roadways routinely experience vehicular crashes. In addition, there are limited opportunities to safely serve the non-motorized needs along these busy roadways.

 

 

 

 

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) initiated this project to study the existing and future traffic conditions in the Mt. Pleasant Transportation Study Area.  The Study area boundary is:

• North – Spring Pl/Piney Branch Pkwy
• South – Harvard St
• East – 16th St
• West – Adams Mill Rd

The purpose of the study is to examine the existing and future traffic conditions in the study area, and to determine any necessary traffic management and infrastructure improvements to meet the following primary objectives:

1. Enhance efficiency of all modes of transportation
2. Promote safety of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians
3. Enhance streetscape consistent with the area
4. Address bicycle and pedestrian transportation needs
5. Address transit needs

As part of the study we will review existing studies and collect existing traffic data (e.g., volume, speed, etc.), parking data (e.g., occupancy, duration, double parking, etc.) and infrastructure data (e.g., condition of road, width of road and sidewalks, crosswalk locations, etc).  We will also compile a list of concerns and issues that residents and business owners have in Mt. Pleasant. 

After we collect the information we will analyze the information to identify problems for which we will identify solutions.  We will analyze the solutions and provide recommendations.

During the process we will work with the Steering Committee made up of representatives from the many community groups in the neighborhood and elected officials.  We will also have three public engagements to ensure that all residents and business owners are aware of the study and can provide input.