Oregon Avenue Reconstruction – Update and Next Steps

From Council Member Bowser’s Office:

Councilmember Bowser announced that after over three years of work, and many delays, on January 24th, the Department of Transportation (DDOT) released its Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) report for the reconstruction of Oregon Avenue from Military Road to Western Avenue, NW. The report determines that Alternative (#3) submitted by DDOT will have no significant impact on the environment.

Residents along Oregon Avenue had expressed major concerns about the reconstruction and its impact on their neighborhood. Councilmember Bowser held a number of meetings with the community and DDOT to ensure the DDOT proposals would include options that incorporated their comments. Because of the strong recommendations from the residents along and near Oregon Avenue and the Councilmember, the final plan includes:

Sidewalks, which are required by law, will not necessarily be made with concrete, may have alternative materials such as asphalt or landscaping pavers

Where possible and working with the property owners, retaining walls will be eliminated and the slopes will be laid back and landscaped

There will be no designated bike lanes

Continues after the jump.

The preferred alternative submitted by DDOT is not only the outcome of years of work, but also the result of compromises facilitated by the Councilmember Bowser with the residents on and near Oregon Avenue and with DDOT. The reconstruction will improve road conditions, which will allow for more safety and better drainage.

The next step will be for DDOT to hire design consultants to prepare the plans to bring to the residents for their consideration. These designs will be individualized as much as possible in order to keep existing landscaping and the preserve the character of the neighborhood. Our office will provide more information about community input as it becomes available.

To view the entire project proposal, please visit www.oregonaveea.com and review the Alternative (#3) section.