Public Meeting Materials

Public Meeting #2 | Dec. 11, 2017

 


The official comment period for Public Meeting #2 closed on January 24, 2018. Meeting materials are posted here. To submit general comments about the project, please visit the Get Involved page.

The Southeast Boulevard and Barney Circle Environmental Assessment represents a necessary step in the process to turn the Southeast Blvd/Barney Circle corridor into an urban boulevard consistent with the current neighborhood character and able to accommodate multimodal travel demand. Two concept sketches were prepared for Public Meeting #2. Both concept sketches incorporate fixed project elements while also presenting a set of “mix and match” design elements for the corridor.  Public input on the design elements will be used to develop Build Alternatives which will be studied as part of the Environmental Assessment. The results the analyses (i.e. traffic, environmental impacts) will be shared at a public hearing – likely in Spring/Summer 2018.

Introductory Display Boards

 

Fixed Project Elements

Certain elements of the project are fixed, and cannot be changed. These are set needs in order to complete the redesign of the corridor meeting the project’s outlined purpose. Below are the key fixed project elements, along with a brief explanation on each:

  • Four lanes, two peak direction/peak period through lanes in each direction. These are needed for traffic flow purposes, as any less would create network-wide traffic issues. The non-peak period lanes are flexible (i.e. off-peak parking lanes may be considered).
  • Southeast Boulevard alignment will be located along southern boundary of the existing transportation right-of-way. This is a result of public preference, especially from the neighborhood north of Southeast Boulevard.
  • Bus transit support facility is part of any build alternative. The bus facility will be located under an elevated Southeast Boulevard, where Southeast Boulevard will match the grade of L Street. This rendering illustrates what the elevated corridor could look like in the future. The orange hatched area is the location of the bus transit support facility. The design concepts illustrate different potential footprints and access points for the bus facility.
  • Barney Circle: A traditional roundabout does not operate satisfactorily from a traffic perspective. The design concepts illustrate different options: a traffic circle with a limited grade separation or a set of signalized intersections.
  • L Street is unchanged from a design perspective (width and use of street). This is as a result of public comments and concerns from Public Meeting #1. The design concepts incorporate a sidewalk and landscape buffer on L Street’s south curb. 
  • There will be pedestrian/bicycle connections to the waterfront. This is a result of the OP study and past DDOT work. The design concepts offer different options for these links.

Please review the FAQ page for additional information on project elements.

 

‘Mix and Match’ Design Elements

The following interchangeable design elements are incorporated into two concept sketches:

  • Southeast Boulevard features such as sidewalks, bicycle facilities, street trees, on-street parking, and green infrastructure
  • Barney Circle configuration
  • Pedestrian and bicycle links to the waterfront
  • Neighborhood-serving extensions of 13th, 14th, and 15th Streets SE between L Street and Southeast Boulevard

Sketch Concepts

Two sketch concepts were developed based on fixed project elements and interchangeable design elements. Key features of each sketch concept are shown in the table below.

The concepts presented below represent a small sampling of the options available for the Southeast Boulevard corridor.

Feature
Sketch 1 - Mix and Match Elements
Sketch 2 - Mix and Match Elements
Southeast Boulevard features

Narrow typical section (narrow median, multi-use trail on south side)

Wide typical section (wide median, left-turn lanes, separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities)

Neighborhood-serving Street Connections to Southeast Boulevard

No left-turn lanes; May have right-in, right-out only access; Narrower pedestrian crossings

Eastbound left-turn lanes at 13th and 14th Street SE; Pedestrian refuges; 12th Street between Southeast Blvd and M Street

Pedestrian and Bicycle Links to the Waterfront

13th Street connection; 15th Street connection

14th Street connection

Barney Circle Configuration

Traffic circle (grade-separated)

Signalized intersections

Underground Bus Transit Support Facility

Wider bus facility footprint; 11th Street access via outside ramps; Barney Circle access via circle

Narrower bus facility footprint; 11th Street access via median ramps; Barney Circle access via underpass

Corridor Sketches

Corridor Sketch 1

Corridor Sketch 2

Southeast Boulevard Features

The study is considering different Southeast Boulevard cross section options with a variety of street features. That means everything from where bike lanes are placed, how pedestrian areas will look and feel, and how street trees and other green spaces are used to both complement and add to the roadway. The set of cross-sections presented represent potential minimum, medium, and maximum cross sections, though numerous combinations exist based on type, size, and placement of various street features.

Minimum cross section (shown in Sketch Concept 1)

Medium cross section

Maximum cross section (shown in Sketch Concept 2)

 

Neighborhood-serving Street Connections to Southeast Boulevard

The project would include extension of 13th, 14th, 15th Streets SE between L Street and Southeast Boulevard (as shown on the sketch concepts listed above).  These street extensions would be designed in a way to match the piece of the street immediately to the north of L Street. Note: 15th Street operates southbound-only in the project area, and the southbound-only operation is proposed to continue.

The interchangeable elements focus on how the intersections with Southeast Boulevard would operate. Each intersection could permit full turning movements (lefts and rights) or be limited to right-in, right-out turns. The pedestrian and bicycle accommodations at the intersections are flexible (ie.crosswalks, pedestrian refuges, signage, other special design features). Concept sketches of the Southeast Boulevard and 14th Street intersections provide example illustrations various options.

14th Street Intersection – Minimum

(shown in Sketch Concept 1)

  • Narrow median
  • Right-in, right-out traffic operations

14th Street Intersection – Medium

(coordinates with Medium cross section)

  • Medium median/left-turn lane
  • Full traffic movement

14th Street Intersection – Maximum

(shown in Sketch Concept 2)

  • Wide median/left-turn lane
  • Pedestrian refuges
  • Full traffic movement

 

Perspective rendering from the CSX railroad north toward L Street Perspective rendering from 14th Street south toward the waterfront

 

In addition, a potential street extension of 12th Street from M Street SE to Southeast Boulevard is possible and would accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles. This street extension is shown in Sketch Concept 2The concept shows a design from previous Anacostia Waterfront Initiative work, though the design (number of lanes and other street elements) would be reviewed should the connection be advanced.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Links to the Waterfront

The project would provide pedestrian and bicycle links to the waterfront via bridges extending from Southeast Boulevard, over the CSX railroad corridor, and down to M Street SE or the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. These links must meet all railroad clearance and accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, but the location(s) and design features are flexible. Different link configurations with termini at 13th, 14th, and 15th Streets SE, including the ramp lengths needed to meet ADA requirements, are illustrated in the sketch concepts listed above. While providing connections at all three locations may be feasible, it is important to understand which location(s) are most desirable.

Barney Circle Configuration

The design team has developed two different options for the configuration of Barney Circle:

  • Grade-separated traffic circle with pedestrian and bicycle improvements and connections to the surrounding neighborhood. The existing underpass would remain to serve traffic coming from the Sousa Bridge and going to westbound Southeast Boulevard. A monument could be incorporated in the circle.
  • Signalized intersection that would totally change the feel of today’s Barney Circle. Pedestrians and bicyclists would cross at signalized locations. Street connections to 17th Street and Kentucky Avenue SE would operate much like they do today. The existing underpass would be maintained to provide access to the bus facility. A monument could be incorporated in the semicircle between Pennsylvania Avenue and the bus access ramp.
Traffic circle concept Intersection concept

 

Barney Circle pedestrian/bicycle connectivity maps

 

Pedestrian and Bicycle Links to the Waterfront

The project would provide pedestrian and bicycle links to the waterfront via bridges extending from Southeast Boulevard, over the CSX railroad corridor, and down to M Street SE or the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. These links must meet all CSX-mandated design criteria in addition to ADA requirements, but the location(s) and design features are flexible. Different link configurations with termini at 13th, 14th, and 15th Streets SE, including the ramp lengths needed to meet ADA requirements, are illustrated in the sketch concepts listed above. While providing connections at all three locations may be feasible, it is important to understand which location(s) are most desirable.

Corridor pedestrian/bicycle connectivity maps

Project Documents

Project documents will be added here as they become available.

Project Fact Sheet - 2019 English | Spanish

Environmental Data Collection Report - 2017

Reference Materials

DDOT Feasibility Study - 2016

Southeast Boulevard Planning Study - 2015

Corridor Map

Graphic of the Southeast Boulevard Corridor Map
Click to enlarge schedule