Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004 and Karyn LeBlanc (202) 671-3490

(Washington, DC) Tonight, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), in coordination with its regional transportation and public safety partners, and in coordination with its July 4th traffic control plan, will carry out a limited test of its emergency traffic signal timing patterns and emergency traffic operations capabilities.

The Operation Fast Forward III test will incorporate the lessons learned from the previous two tests and continue a review of emergency plans to ensure that they are effective should an actual emergency impact the District. DDOT will evaluate regional traffic signal timing, emergency route traffic control, and test emergency transportation communication protocols.

The planned traffic signal tests will be conducted on selected emergency/evacuation routes from the National Mall to the Beltway. The test is slated to begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks and run for 60 minutes.

Regional message boards will be activated and the District’s Highway Advisory Radio (1650 am) will broadcast information to notify travelers the test is in progress.

This year, in building on previous years, DDOT will focus efforts on the Seventh Street/Georgia Avenue corridor, which represents a blend of the District’s downtown as well as its neighborhoods. DDOT will time signals on Georgia Avenue for efficient exit from the city—while reviewing police/DDOT  intersection control, designed to help increase the route’s overall traffic flow.

“For the third year in a row at the conclusion of this great celebration, we will be reviewing our emergency transportation plans,” said Emeka Moneme, DDOT Director. “We will use the results of tonight’s test to ensure our planning strategies are moving in the right direction and that they are effective when they’re needed the most. This continues to be an exciting operation and is another step forward for us, the District and the National Capital Region in emergency transportation planning.”

DDOT and its regional partners remind pedestrians and motorists to obey all traffic laws, including crossing at designated crosswalks and following the directions of Metropolitan Police and other law enforcement personnel.

The Operation Fast Forward III Emergency Routes to be tested are:

• Route # 2 – Georgia Ave (from 7th and F St NW to Georgia Avenue and Beltway)
• Route # 18 – Wisconsin Ave (from Prospect Street to Beltway)
• Route # 3 – Rhode Island Avenue (from R St NW via Route 1 to Beltway)
• Route # 6 – Pennsylvania Ave SE (from 2nd St SE to Beltway)
• Route # 13 – E Street NW (from17th NW via I-66 to Beltway)
• Route # 15 – Pennsylvania Ave NW/ M Street NW (from17th NW via Key Bridge to Lee Highway and onto the Beltway)

Coordinating Agencies for Operation Fast Forward II include:

• District Department of Transportation
• District Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
• District Fire and Emergency Medical Services Agency
• Prince Georges County
• Arlington County
• Metropolitan Police Department
• Maryland Department of Transportation
• Virginia Department of Transportation
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority – Transit Police
• Regional Emergency Support Function #1 – Transportation Committee
• Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region
• United States Capitol Police
• United States Park Police