New Measures to Relieve Traffic Congestion
on 14th Street, NW
Traditional "Slug-Lines" that Facilitate Ride-Sharing Will Not Be Affected

Contact: Linda Grant
D.C. Department of Public Works
June 2, 2000

Motorists using 14th Street, NW, between K Street and Constitution Avenue, should soon notice their trips are taking less time because of new traffic congestion relief measures being implemented over the weekend by the D.C. Department of Public Works. The new measures, however, will not affect the traditional "slug lines" that form along the west side of 14th Street, NW, to facilitate ride-sharing among evening commuters leaving the District.

Over the weekend, DPW sign installers will replace existing "No Parking" signs with "No Stopping" signs on the east side of 14th Street, NW, between K Street and Constitution Avenue, and parking meters will be removed. Starting Monday, June 5, the new "No Stopping" regulations will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to improve traffic flow along one of the District's most heavily traveled streets.

On the west side of 14th Street, NW, between K Street and Constitution Avenue, "No Parking from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m." signs will be installed. Because slug-line motorists are not parking, but simply stopping briefly to pick up passengers, they will continue to be able to stop in existing slug-line blocks for that purpose.

For a few days, starting with Monday's morning rush hour, DPW parking officers and Metropolitan Police personnel will alert motorists to the new regulations before enforcement begins. Existing loading zones on the affected stretch of 14th Street will be moved to New York and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW, and H, I, G and F Streets, NW.

"This is the next step in the joint effort between DPW and the Metropolitan Police Department to carry out Mayor Anthony A. Williams's mandate to reduce downtown traffic congestion," explained DPW Director Vanessa Dale Burns. "Last year, we tested the impact of restricting parking on I Street, NW, to see if we actually reduced congestion. It worked, so now we are doing the same thing on 14th Street."

Director Burns added, "The number of vehicles using 14th Street surpasses all other major north-south corridors. Traffic volume ranges from 42,500 at Constitution Avenue to 25,500 vehicles at K Street. The next highest volume north-south street is 17th Street, NW, which carries about 50 percent to 66 percent of the traffic on 14th Street."

DPW officials emphasized that everyday commuters who share rides into and out of the District contribute to smoother traffic flow and reduce air pollution. Therefore, DPW and MPDC personnel who will enforce the new parking restrictions on 14th Street, NW, between K Street and Constitution Avenue, will allow the "slug lines" to continue.

"It's a no-brainer," said Director Burns. "Whenever people share rides, we have fewer vehicles on the streets increasing traffic congestion. Now that hot weather is here, we also appreciate how fewer vehicles helps air quality."

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