Media Contact: Erik Linden @ DDOT, 202-671-2004
(Washington, DC) Emeka Moneme, Director of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), is pleased to announce the completion of a “Movable Barrier” system on Kenilworth Avenue in Ward 7—designed to increase rush hour traffic flow while reducing congestion in the corridor during a major DDOT project.
The movable barrier system is one part of a $35 million reconstruction and renovation project underway on Kenilworth Avenue, Northeast in the area of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue. Work includes reconstructing several bridges in the area on Kenilworth Avenue, storm and drain work, a public art project including a mural and a park, roadway reconstruction and resurfacing, streetlighting and other amenities. The project is slated to wrap up by April 2009, at which time the movable barrier will be removed.
The movable barrier system changes daily allowing three lanes of traffic in the rush hour direction and two lanes in the opposite direction. Each morning and evening, a high tech barrier machine lifts the barrier piece by piece and moves it gradually (like a zipper) in either direction to accommodate traffic flow. The barrier allows DDOT to close a full lane for reconstruction while maintining full rush hour capacity.
“I’m thrilled that an important component of this project is complete,” said Moneme. “We recognize there’s a significant impact on traffic during major projects. In looking at best practices, DDOT decided to implement this movable barrier to lessen inconvenience for drivers. We’re always looking at ways to reduce congestion on our major corridors during construction.”
DDOT also maintains and oversees a similar movable barrier system used daily on the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge—designed to accommodate rush hour traffic in both directions into and out of Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Key Facts about the Movable Barrier During Kenilworth Project:
What moves the movable barrier?
A large “Barrier Transfer” machine about 30 feet long and 10 feet wide. The machine requires two crew members to operate; one driver in the front to pick up the movable barrier and one driver in the rear to place the barrier in the proper location.
Where is the movable barrier located?
The limits of the Kenilworth movable barrier are:
- For northbound traffic the barrier begins at the Hayes Street intersection with Kenilworth Terrace. Drivers passing though not familiar with the area will see traffic lanes transition and begin to narrow and switch to the right after crossing Benning Road, NE.
- For southbound traffic the barrier specifically begins at the Lane Place intersection with Kenilworth Terrace. Drivers passing through not familiar with the area will see traffic lanes transition and begin to narrow and switch to the left after Polk Street, or right at the exit for Burroughs Avenue, NE.
What times does the machine shift the barrier in the morning and afternoon?
The intent of the system is to continue to maintain three lanes of traffic in the rush hour direction and two lanes in the opposite direction. In other words, there are three lanes southbound open in the morning inbound rush hour. Then the lanes are shifted mid-day to to accommodate three lanes open in the afternoon outbound rush hour. Specific time for the traffic switch are mid-day, between 10 am and 3 pm. The lanes are then switched back after 7 pm each evening.
The schedule is as follows daily:
- 6 am the traffic flows three lanes in the southbound direction
- 10 am to 3 pm the traffic will be switched to allow three lanes in the northbound direction
- 3 pm traffic flows three lanes in the northbound direction
- 7 pm traffic is switched back to allow 3 lanes in the southbound direction for the following AM rush
Finally, a reminder to drivers to please use caution, maintain safe speeds and be aware of workers when traveling through the ongoing Kenilworth Avenue work zone! DDOT thanks motorists and residents for their patience during this major improvement in the Kenilworth corridor.