Golden Triangle and DDOT finish K to L Streets Median
Release Date: Monday, July 25th 2011
(Washington, DC) The Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the District Department of Transportation announces the completion of the first phase of the Connecticut Avenue median project. The constructed median provides green space that serves as a landing area for pedestrians crossing the broad and bustling Connecticut Avenue as well as an aesthetic improvement for the prominent boulevard.
The stretch of Connecticut Avenue between K and L Streets that comprises the first section of the project delivers today with completed construction and temporary landscaping of almost 1,800 flowers. Final landscaping and finishing touches on the wall for this stretch of the project will deliver in September and will include local grasses and plantings that will change seasonally. Construction of the final portion of the project will commence in the spring of 2012 to extend the median to Jefferson Place, just south of Dupont Circle.
The Golden Triangle BID, DDOT and key stakeholders initiated the project in 2008 as a long-term investment for Connecticut Avenue, the BID’s main artery. With dual goals of enhancing the appearance of DC’s finest retail corridor and improving pedestrian safety on one of DC’s most heavily traveled avenues, a streetscape study was conducted by infrastructure-consulting firm HNTB. The results of the study led to the recommendation of a landscaped median to bifurcate the avenue from K Street to Jefferson Place NW.
This median project will replace more than 3,000 square feet of impervious asphalt with more environmentally sensitive green space to beautify the neighborhood while reducing storm water runoff.
The new median, that is 12 feet wide, will serve as a safe area for pedestrians to pause when crossing the broad avenue. Connecticut Avenue is one of DC’s most highly traveled vehicular thoroughfares with more than 24,100 cars on the downtown portion of the street each day. The Golden Triangle’s proximity to multiple metro stations, significant number of office-working professionals and concentration of high-end retailers means the area also experiences a high volume of pedestrian traffic. DDOT recognized the need to improve pedestrian safety on this stretch of Connecticut Avenue and designated the median project a DC capital improvement. DDOT has projected decreases in pedestrian fatalities, of 21% in 2011 and 32% in 2012 from the 2006-2008 3-year average of 19.
Upon completion of the overall Connecticut Avenue Median Project, the Golden Triangle will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 15th. Members of the community and representatives from the DC Government will attend.
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