The new K Street NW is looking more and more like a reality. Recent changes in federal transit funding disbursement rules mean that the District's plan to reform the often clogged east-west letter street may happen sooner than later.The District's plan would mean the entirety of K Street NW from Washington Circle to Mount Vernon Square would be completely reconfigured from sidewalk to sidewalk. The dreaded "access lanes" on each side would be eliminated. In the center of the roadway, two lanes, specifically meant for buses. One eastbound an one westbound. These lanes would be for buses only; Metrobus, Circulator, maybe the various commuter charter buses. Hopefully not tour buses. Or maybe they should be allowed, too-why not. If and when we ever figure how to construct a streetcar system, they would be able to use the center lane as well. I see these lanes getting as clogged as the regular lanes are now.
The main idea behind the bus only lane is about moving buses in a more efficient manner though downtown. If that happens, supposedly more people will ride the buses, taking cars off the road, bettering the environment.
Fed funding decisions will be announced in mid-late February. If the District gets the funding for K Street, construction could begin late this year. Great, more construction! But his should be worth the stretch. Fingers crossed!
3 comments:
Looks awesome, certainly an improvement to what we have now. Yet I don't see any mention or renderings for bike lanes? I hope the DOT will factor them into the mix.
To think, at the turn of the last century K street was nothing more than a dirt road, clogged with horse-drawn buggies and lined by residential clapboard rowhouses!
I love the idea of dedicated lanes, but absolutely hate the idea of making K Street even wider for the lowly pedestrian to cross? Does this make K Street wider? Right now, as it is, it is extremely difficult to navigate. Something must be done to the plans to not make it wider (if it is going to be wider). That much is for sure.
NARROW K STREET.
It won't be narrowed, but it won't be wider either. From what I understand, they are using the current width of the street. no sidewalk space will be lost.
As for bike lanes, I haven't seen any plans for those on K. Not to say there aren't any, but I haven't seen any.
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