WASHINGTON — A Street Smart campaign that partners with D.C., suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia was announced on Thursday to promote safer roads for pedestrians and bicyclists in the DMV area.
Editor's Note: The video above was published on September 18, 2022.
The event was on Wheeler Road and according to a press release, the road was formerly identified as a high-risk corridor.
Thus far, the District Department of Transportation has worked on Wheeler Road to implement lane reductions which have made the four-lane road into two lanes with lane pockets in order to make a consistent travel flow, according to the release.
Additionally, there has been the implementation of concrete pedestrian islands, curb extensions, and a rectangular art rapid flashing beacon amongst other things that have been implemented, according to officials.
Mayor Bowser was joined by DDOT Director Everett Lott and other DC officials to speak on the new campaign that comes as a result of the DC Build Back Better Infrastructure Task Force report.
According to the press release, the report outlined ways D.C. can use over $3 billion that is coming from President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law. Additionally, the report explains the task force’s 17 project proposals.
According to Lott, there were 732 pedestrian-involved crashes and there were 413 bicyclist-involved crashes in 2021.
“Those numbers are far too great, especially with more people walking, biking, and scooting in the region than ever before,” said Lott. “At DDOT, we are committed to building safer streets for all, and we stand in support with our regional transportation leaders in reminding all roadway users of the human toll that comes when traffic laws are now followed.”
According to the release, the task force is recommending a transformation in the North Capitol Street corridor into an urban boulevard in the hopes that it becomes a safer area for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Additional recommendations that are included in the report are Redesigning the DC295/I-295 corridor to reconnect areas that are isolated. The report also ensures a clean and healthy environment with buildings in D.C. going "net zero" and providing additional recreational options along the Anacostia River.
It was also mentioned that Wards 5, 7 and 8 will be receiving an expansion in broadband infrastructure. A Green Jobs Academy was introduced in the report to create better-paying jobs and job training programs for D.C. residents. Click here to learn more about the report.
Mayor Muriel Bowser holds a press conference to launch the Street Smart campaign and discuss the Infrastructure Task Force Report.
Read more from WUSA9: