Fenty Administration Begins Repairs on NY Ave Bridge

$36M project is the largest transportation stimulus initiative to date.

(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, District Department of Transportation Director Gabe Klein today announced work is beginning on the District’s largest American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) transportation project.  The New York Avenue Bridge over the CSX Railroad Project is a two-year $36.5 million project, administered through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  

“This project is the largest ARRA project in the city and more importantly is located at the entrance to one of the city’s fastest growing areas,” said Mayor Fenty.  “The work we’re doing here is vital to the safety and continuing economic prosperity of this area and as such we are extremely pleased to see this project start and the extensive and necessary repairs made to this major corridor in the District.”

Repair work includes extensive preservation to the bridges underside, deck and roadway work from North Capitol Street to Bladensburg Road, NE.  

The initial work will take approximately six-months and will take place below the bridge with little or no impact on traffic.  Beginning spring 2010 DDOT will begin work on the deck replacement portion of the project and as such a half-mile stretch of New York Avenue, NE will shrink from six lanes to four lanes.  DDOT anticipates drivers in the area can expect 15-30 minute delays during this vital construction period.  With concurrent improvement projects occurring on other DC roads, limiting traffic impacts on the already-congested New York Avenue corridor is a top goal of DDOT.  

“DDOT recognizes the impact a project of this magnitude may have on the region and as such has already held numerous meetings and briefings with both local and regional representatives including congressional staff, Maryland SHA, VDOT, emergency response, trucker and tour bus industries and many others,” said DDOT Director Klein.  “We will continue to focus our efforts on ensuring residents, businesses owners and motorists are well informed about any impacts this project will have on the community and on the region.”

DDOT has developed a comprehensive program to begin in spring 2010 to assist travelers in this area.  The program includes a ride-sharing incentive program, minimum lane closures, advanced notice at decision making travel points, and an aggressive education and public outreach plan.

During the peak of construction, when lane closures are necessary, DDOT will be offering a ride-sharing incentive program that will allow New York Avenue commuters (DC & non-DC residents) the opportunity for a $50/month fare-sharing option and one-on-one advice about transit options including bus, rail or organized vanpool.  The first 1,000 eligible commuters will be enrolled.  (This program is similar to the one offered in 2007 during the closure of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge).  

DDOT will implement longer green time on traffic signals to reduce impacts on New York Avenue and thresholds will be set to measure traffic impacts.  DDOT may require contractors to remove closures to allow backups to clear.  

DDOT will use a variety of public awareness techniques including advertising, social media outreach such as Facebook and postings on local blogs, public meetings, mailings, installation of Variable Message Boards along the corridor, a project web site and logo, etc.  The website, www.fixingnewyorkave.com provides details on the work and offers guidance to avoid delays, and links to local traffic cameras and reports.  

Twitter, along with camera and traffic reports real-time visuals will be used in a “Know Before You Go” campaign encouraging drivers to check their Twitter accounts or the web site or listen to local radio traffic reports PRIOR to getting it their vehicles.  The District has extensive distracted driving laws and encourages drivers to not text or use their cell phones while operating a vehicle.  Penalties are steep.  For more information on the District traffic laws visit www.ddot.dc.gov or www.dcroadrules.com.  Alternative routes, modes and schedules will be made available as well.

The District received a total of $123.5M in ARRA funding for transportation related projects including road, bridges and other transportation related programs.  Over $80M of the total monies are identified as state highway funds.  

For a full list of DDOT’s stimulus projects or more detail on the District’s ARRA projects, visit the District’s stimulus website at recovery.dc.gov.