Getting Sidewalks and Crosswalks Built

DC has 864 miles of roads but 62 miles have no sidewalk at all, and another 49 miles have sidewalks on only one side. DC's Sidewalk Gap program prioritizes new sidewalk construction, while DDOT maintains and repairs existing sidewalks. I've worked to speed up sidewalk repairs in Eckington, get new ones built, and to improve crosswalks and crosswalk light timing. I also worked with DC's Pedestrian Advisory Council where we've successfully pressed to increase new sidewalk construction from 1.2 miles/year to 8 miles/year starting in 2025, moving up the projected completion of DC's sidewalk network from the year 2218 to 2055.

• February 8, 2023: James Tarrants, 66, is struck by a car and killed near 600 Rhode Island Avenue NE while trying to navigate a sidewalk closure by DC Water and DDOT. For several days I and other had unsuccessfully pressed DC Water and DDOT to reopen the sidewalk; the agencies relent and do so after the tragedy. I spend much of the month speaking with safety officials and Council members on specific upgrades to that area (such as a stoplight and crosswalk at 600 Rhode Island Avenue NE) and the general importance of keeping sidewalks open during construction activities ("safe accommodation").

• April 2023: I sponsor ANC5F-25-036, to condition public space permit approval for 605 Rhode Island on additional sidewalk construction around the development, including an upgraded W Street connection to the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT).

• April 2023: I chat with DDOT sidewalk inspection crews as they identify future fixes needed in Eckington.

• May 2023: Commissioner Aru Sahni and I meet with DDOT to discuss a number of priorities, including sidewalk and safety.

• August 2023: I tour the 8th Street MBT gap closure project with Commissioner Sahni, including new crosswalks being installed.

• October 2023: I join a Florida Avenue NE safety walk with DDOT and commissioners from ANC 5C and 5D, which safely reopens sidewalks linking Eckington to Union Market that were closed for construction.

• January-February 2024: I work with DDOT and DC Water to repair a sinkhole and impassable sidewalk at 3rd and R Street NE.

• February 2024: I sponsor ANC5F-25-082 to request DDOT expedite sidewalk construction on 5th Street NE and on T Street between 4th Street NE and the MBT.

• June 2024: Sidewalk repairs on Rhode Island Avenue NE.

• January 2025: I flag a potentially electrified sidewalk at 7th & Taylor Streets NE, which Pepco addresses.

• March 2025: I sponsor ANC5F-26-010, requesting restriped crosswalks at 4th St NE and S Street NE. I also sponsor ANC5F-26-015, requesting a crosswalk at 600 Rhode Island Avenue NE.

• April 2025: New sidewalk constructed on 5th St NE to link to existing sidewalk, completing a continuous sidewalk on one side of 5th St NE, per ANC5F-25-082. This the first new sidewalk constructed in DC in 2025, and the last location in Eckington or Edgewood with no sidewalk on either side of the street.

• May 2025: New sidewalk constructed on T Street between 4th Street NE and the MBT, per ANC5F-25-082.

• July 2025: I meet with DDOT officials to discuss, among other things, the short crosswalk timing at Rhode Island Avenue NE and V Street NE (15 seconds to cross six lanes of Rhode Island Avenue!). This work is completed in October 2025.

• January 2026: Sidewalk repairs on 4th Street NE.

How can you help? If you see a problematic sidewalk or crosswalk situation, alert 311 and cc your commissioner. Contact the Mayor and Council to ask them to prioritize sidewalk and crosswalk work.