Cautious Optimism on Connecticut Ave, and other Advocacy Opportunities

The Low Stress Network is a vision, and Connecticut Ave is an essential part of that vision. Not only is it one of the most dangerous arterials in the city and the only reasonable North-South connector for anyone heading to downtown from the West side of the park, it also is a symbol of broken promises from the Mayor to the people of DC.

Thanks to your hard work and advocacy, we have movement; the Committee on Transportation and the Environment released their FY25 budget markups last week, and there it is: 

• Proposes a new budget support act subtitle that requires smart, multimodal, and safety-based decision making by re-incorporating a protected bike lane into the final design for the Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety Improvement Project

Does this mean we’re getting bike lanes immediately? No, there’s still a lot of work to do on that front. But the good news is that this holds the Mayor accountable to the people of DC, and prevents any halfhearted “safety” plans from being implemented that don’t actually make the avenue any safer.

This also means your representatives are hearing you and implementing change you want to see, and because you showed up and spoke out, Councilmembers Frumin and Allen understood that this is an essential piece in making DC safer for everyone.

This isn’t over, but it is a time to breathe a sigh of relief and have a bit of a celebration (another ride on Connecticut, anyone?)

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While the Conn Ave stuff is happening (you signed the new petition, right?), the rest of the city keeps moving too.

Advocacy Opportunities:

• Sign up to testify or submit testimony at the confirmation hearing for DDOT Acting Director Sharon Kershbaum. Live testimony will happen on Thursday, June 20th (the deadline to register is 5:30pm, Friday, June 14).
• DDOT proposing extending the NJ Ave NW bikeway to D St. Send comments to Will Handsfield by June 15.
• Final Meetings are taking place for the Georgetown Transportation Study, which currently is not including bike infrastructure. Please let the team know that bike facilities must be included in the study.
  • Virtual Meeting: http://tinyurl.com/GeorgetownMay20
    WHEN: Monday, May 20, 2024
    TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  • In-person meeting
    WHERE: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3240 O Street NW
    WHEN: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
    TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 PM