Charles Drew Bridge

Dear Neighbors: I received this concern this week. - John J. Feeley, Jr.

Dear ANC 5A Commissioners,


I am writing to commissioners who have listed email addresses on the ANC 5A website regarding what I perceive to be the poor condition of the Charles Drew bridge. Every time I have to drive over it, I feel concerned. One rainy Sunday in September I sent an email to councilmembers who have any oversight connection to transportation, to the Council Transportation chief of staff and to DOT Director Klein.


Here is the email that I sent:


"I am writing about the condition of the Charles Drew Bridge on Michigan Avenue, NE, over the railroad and Metro tracks. The bridge does not look to be in good condition, and I feel concerned about its safety. Had we not seen the collapse of other bridges around the country, I might not be alarmed. However, I know that many of us who go across that bridge frequently would welcome its repair and strengthening.


In the last couple of weeks we've seen sidewalk work in our neighborhood that almost looks like makework. At the same time, to my knowledge, no serious attention has been given to the well-traveled Drew Bridge. Repairing that bridge would respect the memory of Dr. Drew and improve safety for citizens who cross the bridge. President Obama recently announced support for infrastructure projects. The repair of the Drew bridge is an infrastructure project calling for attention in our long under-served neighborhood.


I and many neighbors request that you who have an oversight connection to transportation and infrastructure please inspect the bridge for its safety conditions and, hopefully, prioritize it for upgrading. I welcome any responses you have.


Thank you for your consideration."


I received a reply from Director Klein that evening stating: "I am not aware of safety issues or any structural concerns with this bridge. Having said that, let's get the latest rating information from our bridge team so we all know the latest assessment. We look at all bridges every 2 years btw." Terry Bellamy of DOT followed up with this: "I am asking our SBM team to investigate and make necessary cleaning. I am also directing our Bridge Engineer for a structural rating update on the structure."


Councilmember Thomas wrote that he "would continue to follow up with the director re these concerns." I was copied on an email from Councilmember Catania to Director Klein asking to be kept informed about the bridge. A month or so has passed since I first contacted them, and I want to follow up. As I was thinking about it, it occurred to me that you ANC commissioners ought to be informed of my exchange and the fact that some of my Ward 5 friends and neighbors are concerned about the bridge.


I had occasion to run into Charlene Drew Jarvis, and I told her about our concerns and contacts with councilmembers and DOT, and she said she would follow up.


I hope that some of you and your constituents share concern about the Drew bridge, and I'd be happy to follow up with any of you.


Best regards,


Jane Huntington

Street car Plan notice from DDOT

DDOT Presents Updated DC Streetcar Plan

Plan Submitted For Council Review and Approval



(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has presented an updated comprehensive DC Streetcar System Plan to the DC Council for review and approval. The plan details DDOT's plans for the design, construction and operation of the system and covers topics such as operations, safety, fare collection, and funding.



The document specifies how DDOT plans to complete the two streetcar lines already under construction, the H Street/Benning Rd Line and the Anacostia Initial Line Segment, and lays out the plans for additional extensions in Wards 7 and 8. It also includes the completed DC Transit Future System Plan – the District’s first comprehensive streetcar system plan. DDOT is planning a 37-mile, 8-line streetcar system with service across the city.



The highlights of the plan include:



· DDOT will initiate streetcar operations in spring 2012



· The DC Streetcar will create 200 permanent jobs at the onset of service and up to 700 upon completion of the entire system



· DDOT is currently pursuing $110M in federal funds to pay for two streetcar extensions East of the River



· Details on how DDOT will resolve issues with the power supply; DC Streetcar will utilize overhead wires on the first two lines and move to wireless operation as the system expands



· A framework to develop a financial plan and governance structure for the entire system



The plan was transmitted by the Mayor last week and formally introduced today by the Chairman of the DC Council on behalf of the Mayor in accordance with the requirements laid out in the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Support Act. Approval of the DC Streetcar Plan by the DC Council will release $34.5 million in capital funding for the current H/Benning streetcar project.



The complete plan is now posted on DDOT’s website at ddot.dc.gov/DCStreetcar.





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John Lisle | Public Information Officer | District Department of Transportation | Office of the Director | 2000 14th Street, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20009 | 202-671-2004/direct | 202-486-5838/cell | 202-671-0650/ fax | John.Lisle@dc.gov, e-mail | www.ddot.dc.gov

Metro bus route changes

Area activities cause temporary rerouting from Oct. 22-24

Metrobuses will detour from several routes Friday to Sunday, Oct. 22-24, in the District of Columbia, and Alexandria and Arlington, Va., due to various events.

The following routes will be affected by detours this weekend:

Friday
Routes 32, 36, P2 and P6 will detour from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Monday around Fourth Street, NW/SW, between Constitution and Independence avenues in the District of Columbia due to the USA Science and Engineering Festival Expo.

Saturday
Routes 13F, 13G, 32, 34, 36, 52, 54, 64, 70, 70/, P6, S2, S4 and V8 will detour from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. for the Best Buddies Special Olympics Challenge in the District of Columbia. The following streets will be closed:

• Constitution Avenue, NW, between Third and 17th streets, including crossing streets
• 12th Street, NW, between Constitution and Pennsylvania avenues
• Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, between Third and 12th streets, including crossing streets
• Third Street, NW/SW, between Constitution and Independence avenues
• Fourth Street, NW/SW, between Constitution and Independence avenues

Routes 31, 32, 36, 38B and 80 will detour from 3:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. around Eye Street, NW, between Pennsylvania Avenue and 21st Street in the District of Columbia due to the Festival for World Peace and 5K Run/Walk.

Route 70 will detour from midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday around Sixth Street, NW, between Eye and M streets in the District of Columbia due to Arena Stage Community Day Festivities and Ribbon Cutting.

Route D6 will detour from 1 to 6 p.m. around D Street, NE, between 10th and 14th streets in the District of Columbia due to a neighborhood block party.

Sunday
Routes 5A, 7A, 9A, 10A, 13A, 13F, 13G, 16B, 16G, 16K, 16P, 25A, 25P, 25R, 32, 36, 52, 54, 70, 80, 96, P6 and V8 from 8 to 11 a.m. around Washington Boulevard, Memorial Bridge and Independence Avenue in Arlington due to the U.S. Army 10-Miler.

Routes 10A and 10B will detour from 1 to 4 p.m. around Mount Vernon between Hume and E. Monroe avenues in Alexandria due to Del Ray’s Annual Halloween Parade.

Metrobus customers can use the Next Bus information service to find out when buses will arrive at a given stop, by logging onto Metro’s website at metropensdoors.com or calling 202-637-7000 and saying, “Next Bus.”

News release issued at 4:27 pm, October 22, 2010.





Ann E. Chisholm

Assistant Government Relations Officer

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

600 5th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

202.962.2877

achisholm@wmata.com