Ecological Benefits

A boulevard in place of DC-295 could facilitate healthier, cleaner movement, among other environmental benefits, to the surrounding communities. The map to the right shows possible corridor-wide interventions that could improve the ecology of the Anacostia River and the Anacostia River Corridor.

Increased flood resilience

The ability to layer-in new blue-green stormwater infrastructure – in parallel with the new boulevard as well as any new development that the boulevard triggers – presents an unprecedented opportunity to mitigate the risk of flooding in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia, while also restoring long-lost wetland habitats and improving river health.

Improvements to health equity

Removing the highway infrastructure and reducing the through-traffic that whizzes by the neighborhood will reduce dangerous pollutants in the air, reduce the urban heat island effect, and create a more walkable environment that supports active, healthy lifestyles for people of all ages and abilities.

Constellation of green

These neighborhoods are blessed with an abundance of park spaces, but these currently feel disparate and moving between them is not easy. As barriers like DC-295 fall, and connectivity and activation improve, the hope is that south- and northeast areas embrace a new identity as neighborhoods of lush parks and gardens, streams and ponds, that create an interconnected constellation of green space.

Proposed boulevard

Expand living shoreline and restore floodplain

Daylight streams and restore wetlands

Land elevation

Build new retention ponds

Retention median Blue-Green crossings

Existing FEMA BRIC study area

Existing bike lane

Existing bike share station

Existing Metro station