WHAT & WHY

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Avenue, SE is a prominent arterial street that connects several east-of-the-river neighborhoods, including Anacostia, Barry Farms, Bolling Air Force Base, Congress Heights, Bellevue and D.C. Village. Lying on the District of Columbia’s eastern boundary with Maryland, it also serves as a gateway by providing access to the downtown area  via the 11th Street Bridges. The proposed infrastructure and streetscape improvements in the historic Anacostia neighborhood are intended to help revitalize this section of Martin Luther King, Jr. by improving the public space and enhancing all modes of transportation, including pedestrian, vehicular and public transit, as part of an overall effort to promote and enhance economic development along the avenue.

The corridor has been under study for a number of years by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to determine exactly what improvements were needed and to make sure that the project is coordinated with other planned transportation, infrastructure and utility improvements in the neighborhood. The studies are now over and the final step prior to construction is the final design phase which will begin in early 2008.

IMPLEMENTATION (DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION)
The preliminary design phase is now complete. It included mapping, data collection, analysis, preparation of three alternatives for streetscape and transportation improvements, and the development of a preferred alternative. The alternatives presented specific transportation and streetscape elements, including vehicular and pedestrian traffic circulation, parking, sidewalk finishes, lighting, street furniture, street trees, and beautification improvements to create a distinctive public image for MLK Avenue in the Anacostia neighborhood.

 For this project, improvements were created for the following streets:

• MLK Avenue from the 11th Street Bridge to Suitland Parkway
• Howard Road from MLK Avenue to Firth Sterling Avenue
• W Street from MLK Avenue to 14th Street
• 16th Street from W Street to Good Hope Road
• Good Hope Road from Minnesota Avenue to the Anacostia Freeway underpass

Now that the preferred alternative is selected, final design can begin and construction is scheduled to begin in early 2009.

PREVIOUS STUDIES
The District Department of Transportation has previously completed several initiatives and plans for the area, including the Middle Anacostia River Crossings Transportation Study, Anacostia Transit Area Plan and the Anacostia Gateway Transportation Plan. These studies and plans produced the following planning and urban design recommendations:

• Utilize transit assets to attract new residents and users
• Overcome barriers to improve connection between neighborhoods, parks and across the river
• Improve pedestrian safety
• Strengthen MLK Avenue retail environment by restoring 2-way traffic
• Strengthen MLK Avenue with active, interesting ground floor use
• Enhance open space with landscaped connections
• Separate local and regional traffic where feasible
• Renovate and upgrade the streetscape elements along MLK Avenue

Below are links to the other studies and planning efforts directly related to the revitalization of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE:

Great Streets

Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (ODMPED)

Middle Anacostia River Crossings Transportation Study

Anacostia Transit Area Plan

Anacostia Gateway Transportation Study

WHEN
Design – Phase I - COMPLETE
The preliminary design phase includes mapping of the area, data collection, analysis and development of a preferred alternative. A final design recommendation was presented at a community meeting on January 18, 2007.

Design – Phase II - Ready to Begin
The final design phase will begin in early 2008 and is expected to take ten months to complete.

Construction
Construction will begin once the final design is complete and when a contractor has been selected. Construction is anticipated to begin in early (after the first quarter) 2009.

A graphic schedule of the anticipated design and construction timelines is shown below.

WHERE
The project limits are MLK Avenue from the 11th Street Bridge to Suitland Parkway; Howard Road from MLK Avenue to Firth Sterling Avenue; W Street from MLK Avenue to 14th Street; and Good Hope Road from Minnesota Avenue to the Anacostia Freeway underpass.