Rock Creek Parkway reversible lanes could end due to crashes
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Images courtesy of National Parks Service
The Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway could lose its reversible rush-hour lanes, which the National Park Service says creates a dangerous "racetrack environment."
Why it matters: The commuter thoroughfare goes through a delicate weekday choreography, where all four lanes flip southbound in the AM rush hour and reverse direction in the PM.
State of play: NPS is taking public comment on its proposal to end that nearly century-old tradition.
- The four-lane road would be evenly split between north and southbound lanes 24/7. New permanent medians would be added.
- In addition, NPS is proposing building a roundabout where the parkway intersects with Shoreham Drive and Beach Drive. Traffic signals and/or a roundabout are also being considered at the Ohio Drive intersection, along with improved pedestrian crossings.
- The Rock Creek Park multi-use trail, between P Street and Virginia Avenue, would be widened.
By the numbers: About 50,000 drivers use the parkway on an average day.
- There have been 5,999 total crashes from 1990 to 2020, according to NPS. An average of 194 crashes a year.
- Though reversible lane hours account for just 19% of the parkway's traffic volume, 31% of the crashes occurred during that time.
"Reversals create confusion for drivers and 'racetrack' environment," an NPS presentation says.
- U.S. Park Police face "significant risks" when they confront traffic twice daily to set up cones and wooden sawhorses to redirect the flow of traffic.
- NPS says it costs the police department about $600,000 to $800,000 annually.
What's next: NPS is taking public feedback until May 2.
- The project is in the study phase and could begin construction in 2028.