Section 10-A400. OVERVIEW

 

400.1The Transportation Element provides policies and actions to maintain and improve the District’s transportation system and enhance the travel choices of current and future residents, visitors and workers. These policies are complemented by policies in the Land Use, Urban Design, and Environmental Protection elements on related topics such as air quality and the management of public space. Recognizing the interplay between transportation and these related topics is critical to improving mobility and accessibility in the city. 400.1

 

400.2The critical transportation issues facing the District of Columbia are addressed in this element. These include:

 

•Expanding the city's transit system to provide alternatives to the use of single-occupant autos

 

•Enhancing the city's corridors for all modes of transportation

 

•Increasing bicycle and pedestrian connections, routes and facilities

 

•Improving the efficiency of the existing transportation system

 

•Investing in bridge and roadway maintenance and repair

 

•Promoting transportation demand management. 400.2

 

400.3A well-balanced and multi-modal transportation system is integral to the city’s efforts to sustain and enhance the quality of life and key to its future economic growth and its role as the nation’s capital. Achieving such a system requires integrating land use and transportation, and implementing a range of improvements that enhance connectivity, livability, and vitality. 400.3

 

400.4As the nation’s capital and the center of one of the country’s fastest growing metropolitan areas, the District faces increasingly complex mobility challenges as it plans for its future. While the city still retains a large share of the region’s jobs, the region itself continues to decentralize, creating longer commutes, increased peak period congestion, and poor air quality. Within the District, the major surface transportation arteries are highly congested during morning and evening commuting periods and the Metrorail system in Central Washington is expected to reach capacity in the near future. Funding to maintain the existing transportation system, let alone expand the system to meet increased demand, is severely constrained. 400.4

 

400.5However, these challenges also present opportunities. The District has one of the most extensive mass transit systems in the country, densities that support and promote transit use, a growing network of bicycle and pedestrian trails, and a unique system of radial boulevards that distinguish it from all other American cities. Washington’s gracious avenues, bridges, and parkways are part of its history and a defining element of its urban form and character. With appropriate strategies in place, these transportation assets can enhance the quality of life in the city and increase the District’s attractiveness while still performing their essential function to move people and goods in and around the city. 400.5

 

400.6The city is also taking steps to augment and sustain its existing transportation network. It is expanding transit via bus rapid transit and light rail to areas not served by Metrorail. It is replacing the Anacostia River bridges, including the South Capitol and 11th Street bridges, to improve mobility and roadway operations and to support economic development and urban beautification goals. It is improving sidewalks and bicycle routes across the District. Table 4.1 summarizes the transportation assets of the District. 400.6

 

400.7Table 4.1: Transportation Assets of the District 400.7

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/4_transportation.pdf.

 

400.8The District’s Department of Transportation (DDOT) manages and maintains the city’s transportation infrastructure. In 2006, DDOT will complete its federally mandated state transportation plan, known as the 2030 Transportation Vision Plan. The Plan directs transportation policies and investments for the District and will serve as a guiding document for DDOT in the coming years. This Element incorporates planning and policy guidance from the Transportation Vision Plan. 400.8

 

400.9The 2030 Transportation Vision Plan includes an Action Plan, which identifies a number of transportation investments across the District. Many of the action items described in the plan are already in the project development process and many have been studied at least through the preliminary feasibility study stage. Table 4.2 summarizes some of the major transportation investments envisioned in the Transportation Vision Plan. These and other ongoing and planned transportation investments are discussed in more detail later in this Element. 400.9

 

400.10Table 4.2: Summary of Major Action Projects in the 2030 Transportation Vision Plan 400.10

 

http://planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/4_transportation.pdf.

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.