H STREET: Numerous Improvements Proposed

The D.C. Department of Transportation has finished and presented the H Street NE Corridor Transportation and Streetscape Study, in which it presents its recommendations for what the city should do as it redevelops H Street.

In the short term, if the proposal is adopted and funded, we would see new trash cans, re-striped crosswalks and lanes and repaired tree boxes. Within five years we would see wider sidewalks, fancy crosswalks, new street lights, bus shelters, lots of new trees, art, bike racks and maybe even a trolley on H Street.

One of the biggest proposed changes to the H Street Corridor streetscape may be the proposal to create a plaza at the starburst intersection of 15th Street, H Street, Bladensburg Road, Maryland Avenue and Benning Road, near Hechinger Mall. No doubt few people are surprised to hear that the starburst intersection has the highest volume of vehicles in the H Street Corridor and the longest pedestrian crosswalks.

The proposed reconfiguration and addition of the plaza will make it safer to cross the street at that intersection and walk to Hechinger Mall and the CVS.

The draft plans for the plaza are to create a park-like setting with green space and flowering trees, and with space for concerts, farmers markets and festivals. §