Mayor Muriel Bowser is working to make streets safer across the District, and the 8th Street NE Traffic Safety Improvements & Protected Bikeway Project is an important piece of that commitment.
Project Background
Between Franklin Street NE and Monroe Street NE, 8th Street NE connects the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) for pedestrians and bicyclists. Residents and trail users have asked DDOT to provide a dedicated space for bicyclists along the corridor.
The Metropolitan Branch Trail currently goes from Union Station to Fort Totten. When complete, the trail will be 8 miles going from Union Station to Silver Spring, MD. The trail sees over 3,000 bicyclists and pedestrians per day during peak use. On 8th Street NE, there is a relatively high share of heavy vehicles due to the light-industrial land use along the corridor. Overall, the traffic volumes are relatively low as 8th Street NE does not connect beyond Monroe and Franklin. Bicyclist traffic in the corridor makes up a relatively high share of road users, particularly during peak hours.
In 2019, DDOT Safe Routes to School conducted a traffic safety study that recommended safety improvements regarding school pick-up and drop-off in the area. In 2020, DDOT completed a traffic analysis of the one-way traffic conversion extending along 8th Street to Monroe Street NE and recommended a protected bike lane on the west side of 8th Street NE. DDOT presented the results of the traffic analysis and bike lane recommendation to ANC5E in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Project Summary
DDOT is proposing to make changes to Edgewood Street and 8th Street NE to reduce conflicts between bicyclists, trucks, vehicles, and pedestrians. The project would convert Edgewood Street and 8th Street NE to a one-way traffic flow between 7th Street NE and Lawrence Street NE. Two-way motor vehicle traffic will remain between Lawrence Street NE and Monroe Street NE. DDOT will also install a two-way protected bike lane along 8th St NE between Franklin Street and Monroe Street NE. Expected to open in the Summer of 2023, the new bike lane will close a gap in the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT), improve safety on 8th Street NE for all road users, and improve traffic flow on Edgewood Street NE at drop-off and pick-up times for two nearby schools. DDOT has conducted traffic analysis and presented several design concepts to community stakeholders, finding that a two-way protected bike lane will provide the greatest benefit while maintaining 46 of the 137 parking spaces along Edgewood Street and 8th Street NE.
Project Area Map
What will it look like?
The proposed protected bike lane is designed within the existing curb-to-curb roadway space constraints along Edgewood Street NE and 8th Street NE. Please see below for more details:
Edgewood St between 7th Street and 8th Street NE
The project will convert the street to a one-way traffic flow eastbound between 7th Street NE and 8th Street NE. The project will remove the existing bike lanes on Edgewood Street NE from 7th Street NE to Franklin Street NE. The project will also add a left-turn lane on southbound 7th Street to eastbound Edgewood Street NE.
7th Street NE at Franklin Street NE
A left-turn lane will be added from southbound 7th Street NE to eastbound Franklin Street NE to accommodate additional trips by a vehicle on 7th Street NE. The G8 bus stop will be relocated directly north of the alley entrance on 7th Street NE.
8th Street between Edgewood Street NE and Lawrence Street NE
The project will convert 8th Street NE street to a one-way traffic flow between Edgewood Street and Lawrence Street NE. The project will add a two-way protected bike lane on the west side of the street. Parking will be removed where necessary to accommodate sight lines between motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists on both sides of 8th Street NE.
8th Street NE: 2900 8th Street NE – Hamlin Street NE
This segment of 8th Street moves the parking lane to the west side of the street to allow for turning movements into the Imagine Hope Community charter school. A two-way protected bike lane will be added on the west side of the street.
8th Street NE: Hamlin Street - Irving Street NE
Between Hamlin Street NE and Irving Street NE, a protected bike lane will be added on the west side of the street. Parking will be removed from the west side of the street. Driveways and curb cuts occupy the east side of the street for the entire length of the block.
8th Street NE: Irving Street NE - Jackson Street NE
The block between Irving and Jackson will include one 12-foot driving lane with a 9-foot parking lane on the east side of the street. This design will allow for parking adjacent to the residential building on the east side of the street.
8th Street NE: Jackson Street NE to Kearny Street NE
The block between Jackson and Kearny Street NE will include one 12-foot driving lane with a 9-foot parking lane on the west side of the street. The parking lane will allow for parking in front of the residential buildings on the west side.
8th Street NE: Kearny Street NE to Lawrence Street NE
The block between Kearny to Lawrence Street NE will match the pattern shown on the Irving Street NE- Jackson Street NE block. Parking will be provided adjacent to the businesses on the east side of the street. This includes one 12-foot wide driving lane and a 9-foot parking lane on the east side of the street.
8th Street NE: Lawrence Street to Monroe Street NE
Finally, between Lawrence Street and Monroe Street NE, the street will include an 8-foot wide two-way protected bike lane as well as a 10.5-foot wide south bound lane for vehicles turning right onto Lawrence Street NE, and a 10-foot wide north bound lane for vehicles turning onto Monroe Street NE. No changes to the current parking restrictions are proposed on this block.
Truck Restrictions lifted on Monroe Street between Michigan Avenue and 12th Street NE
Existing through-truck restrictions will be lifted on Monroe Street NE between Michigan Avenue and 12th Street NE. This modification will allow trucks leaving businesses along 8th Street NE to legally connect to existing Michigan Avenue and 12th Street NE truck routes via the most direct and appropriate roadway.
Where can I get more information on this project?
Michael Alvino, Trails Program Manager, 202-497-7153, [email protected]
