Press Release: Councilmembers Call on Mayor Bowser to Increase & Expedite Road Closures
News Release — Ward 3 DC Council member Mary Cheh
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2020
Communications Director: Kelly Whittier
Councilmembers Cheh, Allen, and Nadeau urge the closure of several public roads for use by pedestrians and cyclists
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, May 15th, Councilmembers Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) sent a joint letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser urging the immediate closure and/or narrowing of a number of public roads in the District to provide the requisite space for social distancing during the public health emergency.
To provide pedestrians and cyclists with additional sidewalk and bike lane space, the Councilmembers recommend that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) identify individual roads, residential blocks, or entire corridors for lane narrowing, lane closure, or complete street closure to vehicular traffic. Should the agency not act, legislative action may otherwise address the recommendations outlined in the joint letter.
On Tuesday, May 19th, the Council will consider an amendment to the Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act. The amendment outlines the following:
- Requires DDOT to create a Public Health Emergency Street Modification permit application and make it available at no cost through DDOT’s website
- A District resident (21 years or older) may submit a Public Health Emergency Street Closing permit application for a block on which the resident lives, requesting that DDOT make one of the following modifications to public space during a public health emergency:
- Close a street to through traffic
- Reduce travel lanes
- Convert a street from a two-way to a one-way
- DDOT shall provide applicants with written notice of approval or disapproval within 10 days after receipt of the permit application
- Closure of a single block will require approval of 51% of the residents, owners, or business on the block
- DDOT shall approve if ANC has written letter of support and DDOT determines it would not cause significant public safety concerns
- A District resident (21 years or older) may submit a Public Health Emergency Street Closing permit application for a block on which the resident lives, requesting that DDOT make one of the following modifications to public space during a public health emergency:
- Authorizes DDOT to propose their own road/lane closures based on instances where residents are not properly socially distancing
“It is time to rethink how we move around the District. We are in great need of an extensive network of safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists—and this is a need that predates coronavirus. The liberating, clean experience of far fewer cars on our roads makes this an obvious and urgent goal and we should seize this moment,” said Councilmember Cheh.
The amendment and letter are attached.
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