DC Strategic Bikeways Plan 2025: Ward 4 Opportunities
Thie District Dept. of Transportation (DDOT) is inviting Ward 4 input on bicycling, safety concerns, network gaps, and project ideas for inclusion in their Strategic Bikeways Plan (SBP). “The Bike Lane Program plans to build an additional 50 miles of bicycle lanes across the District over the next 5 years.” Let’s make sure key Ward 4 needs are included!
We hope this working list of Ward 4 projects and needs is helpful. Please raise them at the November 13 Ward 4 public workshop and in response to DDOT surveys.
DDOT should complete projects that are in the works, and as SBP priority candidates, we see: a) Kansas Ave. NW, b) Sherman Circle NW, and c) Missouri Ave. NW.
Projects in Planning
Van Buren Street NW: “This project will add a bicycle connection on Van Buren Street NW from Blair Road to 5th St NW and on 4th Street NW from Van Buren Street to Whittier Street NW. This will provide an alternate connection and a signalized crossing to the future Metropolitan Branch Trail on Blair Road NW.”
Projects in Design
Kansas Avenue NW: “This project will install new protected bicycle lanes on Kansas Avenue between Chillum Place NE and Blair Road NW, filling an existing gap in the bicycle network. In addition, it will convert existing unprotected bicycle lanes between Blair Road NW and Longfellow Street NW to protected bicycle lanes.”
AN SBP ASK could be to protect the bike lanes between Longfellow St. and Georgia Ave. NW.
Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT): Piney Branch to Blair Road NE: This segment will take the trail, newly completed to Aspen St. NW, past the Takoma Metro station to the Maryland border segment.
Missouri Avenue NW: The current plan covers 14th Street to 17th Street NW, a 0.3-mile trail connection, part of a “proposed 1.2- mile trail facility [that] will provide an important East-West connection across Rock Creek Park between Oregon Avenue and 14th Street NW.”
AN SBP ASK could be to extend protected bike lanes east on Military Ave. NW, to Georgia Ave. NW and across on Missouri Ave. NW to Kennedy St. NW or beyond via Riggs Road NW to the MBT.
Needs
Sherman Circle NW improvements. Note that construction has started on nearby Grant Circle NW improvements, addressing a very similar, nearby circle.
AN SBP ASK could be to similarly improve Sherman Circle NW, as was planned in 2016-8.
Other SBP candidates: Kennedy St. protected bike lanes; also 14th St. NW north to Aspen St.
Header photo: Metropolitan Branch Trail, under construction between Van Buren and Aspen Sts. NW, fall 2025. Photo by Julie Lawson. Thanks Julie!