In January of 2015, I proposed resolution in support of connecting Fort Lincoln and the surrounding Gateway communities to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.  This resolution was the culmination of years of problem solving and vision for connecting our communities to the city core without the use of cars.  Most of the planning for this happened in 2013 & 2014 by introducing the idea to a group of neighbors who were also cyclist, however, the idea needed the support of the previous Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC).  Knowing the amount of work it would take to pitch, plan and manage the development of the idea, I decided to run for the ANC  position myself to ensure its implementation.  During my campaign I pledged to help bring alternative transportation options to the community given the current traffic issues we faced and the future traffic issues the remaining development posed in Fort Lincoln. For example, the recently completed Villages at Dakota crossing development introduced close to 600 cars to Fort Lincoln alone; coupled with the Shops at Dakota Crossing and and 3 more dense residential developments the number of cars in for Lincoln will increase into the upper thousands without any change to the transportation infrastructure. Therefore, after a successful Fresh Start in Fort Lincoln, The City and one new DDOT Director later, i’m please to announce that the feasibility study for the trail connection is now complete.  I exceptionally pleased with DDOT and its commitment to ANC Commission 5C’s concerns.  We now have to find funding to make this a reality so that we can reduce the dependency on cars as well as safely connecting residents to the rest of the city.   This bike trail represents the catalyst for a broader more comprehensive plan  of connecting the outlying communities of the city to the city’s core with alternative and efficient transportation. There is a dearth of bike trail & Lane connections for more than 5000 residents in the Langdon, Woodridge, Gateway & Fort Lincoln Communities.   My hope is that the City will see this connection as a priority as it continues to enhance other trails and lanes throughout the city. More information will be provided at the upcoming ANC 5C Meeting.  Thanks to everyone who has participated in making this a success thus far.

Link to – Riverwalk Gateway Segment Feasibility DRAFT to DDOT