Improved Connectivity

Bus Rapid Transit

Bus Rapid Transit or otherwise known as BRT is a “high-quality bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost-effective services at metrolevel capacities.”[30] It achieves metrolevel capacities through the provision of dedicated lanes, stations that are typically aligned to the center of the road, off-board fare collection, and fast and frequent operations.”[31] The proposed bus rapid transit system in this plan would run in dedicated lines between Anacostia Station and Deanwood Station. The system would be the first north-south high-capacity transit line east of the river.

Streetcar extension

Streetcars are “lightweight passenger rail cars operating singly (usually two-car trains) on fixed rails in a right of way that is not separated from other traffic for much of the way.”[32] Washington D.C.’s streetcar, DC Streetcar, currently runs on H Street NE and Benning Road between Union Station and Oklahoma Avenue.[33] This plan proposes extended the streetcar line down Benning Road to Benning Road Metro Station to provide additional transit options east of the river.

Traffic calming

Physical design measures that slow vehicle speeds and improve conditions for nonmotorists.[34] Examples of traffic calming include speed humps, roadway narrowing, curb extensions, and crossing islands.

Pedestrian-oriented crossings

Crossings that elevate the importance of non-motorists at traffic intersections through measures like high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian crossing signals, signage, and crossing islands. In addition, pedestrian-oriented crossings can have amenities like benches and landscaping that make the intersections more pleasant to use.

Land bridge

A land bridge is a “cap” or a “lid” over a roadway that reclaims land that was lost in previous transportation projects.[35] A land bridge over the CSX rail just south of Benning Road would allow for residents east of the railway to access the boulevard, new amenities that come out of developing the PEPCO site, as well as the riverfront park.

Proposed bike lanes

Bike lanes are dedicated lanes for people riding bicycles and are often separate from vehicle traffic with a physical buffer. Buffers can range from a painted zone on the road to plastic flex posts to landscaped medians. Bike lane infrastructure east of the river is limited, so this plan proposes building out a more comprehensive network of separated bike lanes that connect Ward 7 and 8’s many green spaces as well as along the full length of the new boulevard.

Proposed bike lanes

Capital Bikeshare is Washington D.C.’s bikeshare service with 600+ stations across Washington D.C. and nearby jurisdictions.[36] The proposed bike share station locations in this plan are intended to improve accessibility of bike share by adding more stations along the boulevard and nearby arterials.