It’s time to finally make Broad Branch Road safe for pedestrians
Twelve years ago, the DC government, the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration published an epic, 432-page study of Broad Branch Road.
The report described an urgent need to improve the road due to safety issues and bad stormwater management between Linnean Place and Beach Drive.
“The roadway is unsafe because of drainage issues, as well as poor lighting and the tendency for drivers to exceed the posted speed limit,” the report said.
Their research included gathering public comments.
“One of the reasons that my family chose to live in Forest Hills is because of the proximity to Rock Creek Park,” one person explained. “It’s extremely frustrating because there’s no safe access for pedestrians or cyclists to be able to get from our house into the park.”
The agencies then issued a final environmental study in 2021, appearing to pave the way for an improved Broad Branch. One of the neighborhood’s ANCs (3/4G) passed a resolution in support of the project, citing “repeated flooding” and the road’s lack of sidewalks.
Construction was expected to start in 2023, DDOT said.
But the project wasn’t funded in 2023.
I started asking DDOT about funding the project in 2024. That year, I was told, there wasn’t funding, sorry.
I checked in this year too. “Capital resources were extremely tight this budget cycle,” I was told. (Despite the DDOT capital budget being 45% larger than in 2023, hmm….)
Councilmembers can impact what gets funded, another DDOT staffer explained. So I checked with Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin. I shared photos of the many pedestrians I’ve seen walking around Broad Branch’s blind curves.
No response.
I contacted his lead transportation staffer. How could we reinvigorate this stalled project?
“I won’t be able to focus on this project at this time,” they explained.
Then I reached out to Councilmember Charles Allen, who chairs the transportation committee.
I told him that I know a pregnant cyclist who was run off the road and fell as a motorist passed her on Broad Branch. The story haunts me.
Councilmember Allen, what will it take to get this project funded?
No response.
I emailed Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, as her ward borders the project. I routinely see senior citizens walking on Broad Branch. The safety issues are clear, I said.
No response.
Our leaders have decided to ignore this project. Year, after year.
Only the squeaky wheels get oil, so….
Speak up to DC leaders for a safer Broad Branch:
Here’s a draft email you could share:
Hi -- DC pedestrians have waited years for the Broad Branch Road rehab to be funded.
This project will make 1.5 miles of Broad Branch safer for all.
It’s common to see people of all ages walking, jogging and biking in the road, which has many blind curves and no sidewalk. The road connects parts of Ward 3 and 4 to Rock Creek Park.
It's been 12 years since a DDOT, NPS & FHWA environmental assessment found deficiencies that impacted the safety of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. There's also uncontrolled runoff that has detrimental effects on the adjacent streambed.
Please get the Broad Branch Rehab funded in this year’s budget.
Thank you.
Here’s who to send it to:
Ward 3 Councilmember Matt Frumin -- mfrumin@dccouncil.gov
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George -- jlewisgeorge@dccouncil.gov
Councilmember Charles Allen, chair of transportation committee -- callen@dccouncil.gov
DDOT director Sharon Kershbaum -- sharon.kershbaum@dc.gov
Please be kind and civil. Thanks!