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DDOT trims bus-priority pace but keeps Georgia Avenue and bikeshare investments in FY26 plan
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Summary
The FY26 proposal shifts the pacing of DDOTs bus-priority work rather than abandoning it, while the mayor's plan continues capital support for Capital Bikeshare and bike network expansion, officials told the Council committee.
DDOT testified that bus-priority funding and the timing of projects will be "rightsized" in the FY26 CIP, with the agency re-prioritizing projects to match staff bandwidth and the effects of WMATA's Better Bus Network redesign.
Director Sharon Kirschbaum told the committee DDOT will continue to focus on high-frequency corridors and projects that will most improve bus speed and reliability. The FY26 CIP includes $56,500,000 over the capital improvement plan to continue delivering bus-priority projects, she said.
"This is of all of the projects that we're looking at over the next few years, I would say our number 1 priority," Kirschbaum said of Georgia Avenue improvements. She described design for the Georgia Avenue bus-priority project as already underway, with design expected to take 12 to 18 months and construction likely starting at the end of FY26 or early FY27.
The committee discussed pacing and trade-offs Council members repeatedly pressed DDOT about whether a funding slowdown equals a de-prioritization. Kirschbaum said the reduced pace reflects a more realistic projection of project delivery time and staff bandwidth; she emphasized DDOT remains committed to bus priority but will sequence projects differently. Several councilmembers urged DDOT to move faster where possible.
Bikeshare and bike network Kirschbaum told the committee Capital Bikeshare ridership has grown roughly 135% since 2020 and that the FY26 budget supports continued system operation and capital funds to keep the system in a state of good repair. The budget includes funds for station replacements and upgrades to older docking stations and bicycles.
Other bike investments in the CIP include funding for seven trail projects and continued work to build a connected bikeway network across the district. Kirschbaum said trails and bikeways provide low-stress options and help the city meet sustainability goals.
Ending: DDOT committed to return with updated bus-priority plans tied to the WMATA redesign and to continue prioritizing Georgia Avenue as a near-term bus-priority corridor.
