New Pennsylvania Ave. could include redoing Freedom Plaza and more flags
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New skinny trees, new American flags, and a new bike lane experience — per one option. Image courtesy of National Capital Planning Commission
Federal planners advanced plans to revitalize Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol.
Why it matters: The once-in-a-generation project aims to make it a "people's promenade" — shrinking the eight-lane roadway, upgrading its aging infrastructure and adding more greenery to welcome everyday visitors and tourists.
State of play: The National Capital Planning Commission, which discussed the designs last Thursday, is undertaking the revamp of the 1.2-mile stretch. You can submit public comment through April 30.
- Plans range from utility work and alleviating flooding along curbs, to patching up degraded sidewalks, to making it easier to host large events.
- After a study found that traffic volume has dropped since the 1970s, the design overhaul will consider removing a traffic lane and relocating the bicycle lane from the center of the avenue to the side.
- Generating some discussion: Whether to add more American flags along the corridor.
What they're saying: "The new Pennsylvania Avenue will stand among the same global stage as the great capital city boulevards in London, Paris and Berlin," said NCPC planner Karin Schierhold.
1 big idea: Re-doing Freedom Plaza, which currently lacks shade and is elevated from the rest of the street.
- One proposal suggests restoring the original Pennsylvania Avenue diagonal route, which would run traffic through the current plaza, and creating two triangular plazas in its place.
- Another option is keeping the plaza in place but lowering it to street level, and adding more leafy landscaping.
What's next: The design plans will keep getting refined until an updated plan is released in the fall. Final approval is expected early 2027.