New Parking Signs around U Street

Dear PoPville,

I was happy to see that DC started putting up signs on 11th Street (between W and U, at least) that restrict parking to certain times — which in theory should make it easier for residents to park during peak times. But I was confused/surprised by the times that are covered by the restrictions (see attached pic):

Monday thru Friday, 7am-8:30pm.

Having lived at 11/V for 4 years, the hardest times to find parking is weekday and Saturday evenings from 7p-midnight (nightlife), and Sunday from 11a-5p (church). These times are barely covered by the new regulations, per the signs. (Also, side-note: the church-goers tend to double park, park in bike lanes, park at bus stops, etc — and I’ve NEVER seen DC parking enforcement come around on a Sunday.)

Do you know what is up with this?

DDOT issued a press release that says:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is scheduled to complete the implementation of the Enhanced Residential Permit Parking (ERPP) program in Ward 1 over the next few weeks. The ERPP program protects parking for neighborhood residents by designating one side of the street resident only parking from 7 am to 8:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

New signage for the ERPP program will be posted on blocks with traditional Residential Permit Parking (RPP) restrictions in ANCs 1A, 1B and 1C (ANC 1D opted out of the ERPP program). One side of the street will have RPP restrictions, and the other side will have enhanced restrictions.

RPP provides residents, with a residential parking permit, the ability to park on streets in their permitted area. Non permit holders may park in these areas for a maximum of two hours. By contrast, only residents may park on a curb with ERPP restrictions during the posted hours of enforcement, and an ERPP violation is a towable offence.

DDOT is implementing legislation sponsored by Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham and passed by the DC Council earlier this year. Crews will be working on an accelerated schedule to install about 2,500 new signs on approximately 550 neighborhood blocks included in the program. The installation will begin on or about November 17.

Anyone else think the program should be extended through the weekends?