DDOT Presents Traffic Mitigation Plan for Marriott Marquis

Last week, DDOT presented its Traffic Mitigation Plan for the soon to open (May 1st) Marriott Marquis. In the Washington Convention Center Advisory Committee meeting on March 20th DDOT revealed its Impact Study and plans for implementation of new traffic patterns around the Marriott Marquis.

Mass Ave and 9th Street NW

Here are some bullet points, I'll leave it to you to decide on the wisdom of each segment;
A map in hand may help.

To provide full access to the Marriott Marquis via Mass Avenue. DDOT will modify traffic signal design and configuration on Mass Ave and 9th Street, Mass Ave and L Street, 9th Street and L Street, and 10th Street and L Street  to facilitate safe vehicular and pedestrian movements. (DDOT will also deploy Traffic Control Officers** (TCOs) to assist with traffic operations along this corridor)

The Taxi Staging Area, which the initial plan showed as being on L Street - between 9th and 10th Streets, has been revised, and will now be on 9th Street - between L Street and Mass Avenue. The revision was made following the Marriott Marquis revised plan submitted on 3-5-14, due to changes in the hotels footprint.

The Bus Stand will now be on L Street - between 9th and 10th Streets (south-side)

L Street will be converted from a one-way to a two way operation between 9th and 10th Streets (DDOT will perform traffic signal timing improvements at the intersections of 9th and L Street and 10th and L Street.

10th Street will be converted from one way to a two way operation between L Street and Mass Ave. (DDOT will perform traffic signal timing improvements at the intersections of 10th and L Street and 10th and Mass Ave).

 

** Traffic Control Officers will be deployed at the following intersections:
Mass Ave and 9th Street NW
Mass Ave and 10th Street NW
New York Ave and 9th Street NW
New York Ave and 10th Street NW

There was some discussion following the presentation, as you would expect, the main point of contention being traffic flow on Mass Ave (mid-block) with the expected left-turn into the hotel and the disruption this will create. The other discussion point was the repositioning of the Taxi Staging Area on to 9th Street NW.

With the Marriott Marquis due to open on May 1st, there is very little time to continue discussions,(or for residents to have their say) and for DDOT to implement the finalized plan. It will be sad if a celebratory day when the hotel opens is spoiled by a potential traffic nightmare.

So that's it, as of 3/20. Plans change, so I will keep on top of this........