District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council

To: Terry Bellamy, Director District Department of Transportation Suite 500, 55 M Street SE Washington DC 20003 Status of Pedestrian Bridge Over CSX Tracks at the Metropolitan Branch Trail

Re:

Date: October 25, 2012 The D.C. Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC), a legislatively appointed body that advised the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia concerning bicycling issues is requesting information regarding the status of the long-awaited pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the CSX railroad tracks along the Metropolitan Branch Trail at the Rhode Island Avenue - Brentwood Metrorail Station. BAC member have received questions from the public regarding the status of this project. According to the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) website and the blog Washcycle, DDOT announced a solicitation of bids for the construction of a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the CSX railroad tracks on or about November 2, 2011 with bids for this project due December 2, 2011. Unfortunately, only one bid was received, forcing DDOT to resolicit its request for proposals. This bridge will allow pedestrians and bicyclists using the Metropolitan Branch Trail or residents and visitors to the Edgewood and Brentwood communities to safely cross the CSX tracks. Currently, the underpass along Rhode Island Avenue used but it is poorly lit and its sidewalks are less than three feet wide making it difficult for trail users to access the other Metrorail station and the retail at the new Rhode Island Row Apartments. Some people are instead breaching the fence between the Metropolitan Branch Trail and the CSX tracks. BAC requests a status update of the bridge, specifically: 1 2 3 4 5 Why has the construction of this bridge been delayed for more than 3 years? When will the new project RFP be released? What is the anticipated construction commencement date? When will construction be completed? Can you share a project timeline? What District agency is ultimately responsible for the construction of the bridge and who is the point-of-contact?

Thank you for addressing our concerns. We look forward to your timely response, let us know if you have questions. Sincerely,

Representatives of the District of Columbia Bicycle Advisory Council

cc: Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia Phil Mendelson, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia Mary M. Cheh, Council Member, Ward 3, Chair of Committee on Environment, Public Works and Transportation Tommy Wells, Council Member, Ward 6 Kenyan McDuffie, Council Member, Ward 5 James Sebastian, Bicycle Program Manager, DDOT George Branyan, Pedestrian Program Manager, DDOT