Controversial traffic plan could slow your commute

May 28, 2008 - 1:59pm

One-way traffic on 15th Street in Northwest could be converted into two-way traffic. (Photo courtesy of DDOT)

Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - If some of the lanes on your commute disappeared, you'd be forced to slow down, right?

That's the idea behind a new transportation plan in the District.

Converting one-way streets into two-way streets is the subject of a new D.C. Department of Transportation study.

With more people moving to and living in the city, and more residents biking and walking, DDOT is looking at ways to protect neighborhoods from fast-moving traffic.

DDOT is exploring traffic reconfiguration on 15th Street, Northwest between Massachusetts Avenue and the intersection of W Street/Florida Avenue/New Hampshire Avenue, Northwest.

"This would be a traffic calming effort. We are really looking at mechanisms that will invite residents to want to live on certain corridors and in certain areas," DDOT spokesperson Karyn LeBlanc says.

Documents from the 15th Street study indicate that in the 60s, transportation officials converted many of the District's two-way streets into one-way streets to move large numbers of vehicles in and out of the city.

The situation is different now, with some one-way streets beginning to resemble urban freeways.

DDOT Director Emeka Moneme introduced the plans to the D.C. Council on Wednesday.

Several councilmembers, including Councilmember Jack Evans (Ward 2) and Councilmember Muriel Bowser (Ward 4), say they'd like even more one-way streets converted into two-way traffic.