DDOT has No Objection to Supplemental GU Transportation Plan

District Department of Transportation (DDOT) officials have "no objections" to Georgetown University's transportation impact study (TIS), but remain concerned about "adverse transportation impacts that need to be mitigated," according to a supplmental report filed with the Zoning Comission Tuesday. The transportation agency uses much of the four-page report (see PDF) to detail ways to mitigate the negative effects of the proposed plan.

Previously, DDOT officials said the because GU's transportation .

In this latest report, which will be the subject of the Nov. 17 Zoning Commission meeting, the agency cautiously lends support to the university with the caveat that there must be "continued cooperation" among the community, GU and DDOT.

The DDOT report centered on four key areas to mitigate the adverse impacts of the proposed campus plan:

1. Canal Road access gate: The University proposes having its GUTS buses use Canal Road exclusively to access campus to avoid the neighborhood, which necessitates making a left hand turn from the campus onto the busy artery. DDOT agreed to the left hand turn, but calls for a six-month pilot program for GU to record any impacts the turn would have on Canal Road and traffic.
2. Reservoir Road/38th Street, NW: The University's TIS demonstrated the need for a left turn-only lane for vehicles entering campus from Reservoir Road at 38th Street. DDOT urges these changes be made within a year of the plan's approval and not postponed until the hospital  expands.
3. Gate 3 (Reservoir Road): DDOT proposes installing a traffic signal at this Reservoir Road entrance.
4. Annualized reporting: DDOT wants an annual report from GU about the impact the plan has on the neighborhood and the extent to which mitigators are successful. The report must include "an all-day count of site-generated vehicle traffic."

In the event the Zoning Commission grants approval, DDOT also previously suggested that the following conditions be included:

• Adoption of a goal of no new net vehicle trips.
• Monitoring of transportation performance through the official report to DDOT.
• Develop of acceptable GUTS routes; including a new GUTS service on M Street during weekends.
• Introduction of parking management strategiesto support the TDM initiatives and that satisfies the needs of the community.
• Require a Campus Plan Amendment for Georgetown University Hospital that includes a new, comprehensive transportation impact study.