DDOT opens Phase 2 of North Capitol Street study, emphasizes near-term safety fixes over immediate deck‑over work

The District Department of Transportation opened a virtual public kickoff meeting for Phase 2 of the North Capitol Street corridor study, saying the work will focus on multimodal safety improvements and neighborhood connectivity between Massachusetts Avenue and Michigan Avenue rather than immediately advancing earlier, high‑cost options such as a deck‑over of the Rhode Island Avenue underpass.

“Phase 2 is focused on things that we can do a little on the faster side that will improve multimodal transportation options and improve safety, without precluding a deck over or other grade changes,” said Ted Van Houten, transportation planner with DDOT, who is managing the project.

The focus matters because North Capitol is a Vision Zero Tier 1 corridor with a high concentration of crashes on the southern half of the roadway. DDOT staff said the study will produce draft alternatives and return to the public in early 2026; final concepts are scheduled for spring 2026. In the meantime, DDOT is continuing work from Phase 1: a Notice of Intent (NOI) for “quick‑build” pedestrian improvements covering eight intersections is open for comment and, if approved, DDOT expects to install those changes later this year.

DDOT summarized the scope and sequence of the work: complete the existing‑conditions analysis, develop alternatives that address pedestrian, bicycle,…