Anyone who has ever driven a car rode a bike, or attempted to cross the street on Wheeler Road, SE knows how dangerous doing so can be. It was not uncommon to see a speed through the intersection at Wheeler Road, SE and Alabama Avenue, SE, only to crash into one of the houses. More recently, there had been several accidents involving pedestrians on Wheeler Road including several serious injuries to children. I myself witnessed more than a few crashes and had some close calls trying to cross the street in the crosswalk. For those who don’t know, Wheeler Road is home to at least three learning institutions, a shopping center, and a public park. A traffic safety intervention was long overdue here (and frankly on several Ward 8 streets).

It is a crying shame that someone has to die or be seriously injured before an investment is made in improving street safety. Along that vein, I still think it is a great injustice that bike lanes east of the river are still being blocked. DC residents who live east of the river should be afforded the safe level of traffic safety improvements that are afforded west of the river. Bike lines aren’t about gentrification, bike lanes are about safety. I just can’t understand standing in the way for improved access and safety for east of the river families.

I digress, this is about Wheeler Road and the proposed safety upgrades.

For these reasons and in response to Ward 8 residents’ demands, DDOT plans to install various safety and complete streets enhancements to improve safety and access on Wheeler Road. The changes will include “a road diet, pedestrian islands, curb extensions and automated traffic enforcement.” It should come as no surprise that I support these plans.

Below you will find screenshots of the proposed safety and access enhancements. You can also review the February 2022 presentation to see more project renderings that include details of the proposed plan.

WHEELER ROAD PROJECT SCHEDULE

• February – March 2022 – DDOT to conduct community outreach

  • March 2, 2022 – ANC 8C

  • March 7, 2022 – ANC 8E

• Spring 2022 – DDOT will install Wheeler Road safety improvements between Mississippi Avenue and Alabama Avenue (Phase 1)

  • Week of April 10; weather permitting

• Spring 2022 - DDOT will develop plans for safety improvements along Wheeler Road between Mississippi Avenue and Southern Avenue (Phase 2)

• Summer 2022 – DDOT will install safety improvements along Wheeler Road between Mississippi Avenue and Southern Avenue (Phase 2)

• 2022 – 2025 – Wheeler Road Capital Improvement Project to replace all temporary materials such as flex posts into permanent, long-lasting materials such as concrete