We've been notified that the new windows for Maury Elementary School (just northeast of Lincoln Park) will ship April 6th, with installation to take place shortly thereafter.

DC school facilities staff informed Councilmember Wells that the new windows for the 1966 building will ship April 6 and installation will start shortly after they arrive.  The Office of Public Education Facilities say it will confirm start and estimated completion date for the 1966 building and the start and completion dates for the 1898 building. The revised shop drawings have been issued for the 1898 building, so fabrication will start relatively soon.

We'll share more information about the installation timeframe when we get those details.

Great news for anyone that's ever tried to walk across H Street NE at 5th Street. The new traffic signal was turned on today! It will be a flash mode for the next week to help motorists and pedestrians recognize the new signal and will be switched on next Friday. Here's the announcement that came from DDOT and MACTEC today:

The new traffic signals at the H Street NE intersection with 5th Street are now on flash mode in preparation for full activation next Friday, February 18. Because these are new signal lights at an intersection that was not previously signalized, the DDOT procedure is to operate them on flash mode for seven days to allow motorists and pedestrians to become accustomed to them.

In flash mode, the traffic signals are flashing yellow for H Street traffic, and flashing red for 5th Street traffic.

WMATA is going to be trying out a new secured bicycle parking garage at the College Park Metrorail station. Sure, it's not in Ward 6, or even in DC, but the lessons they learn could play a role in how WMATA expands bicycle features within the Metro system. Read their announcement below, and follow the link --   http://bit.ly/ijHFGG -- to give your feedback and suggestions.

Secure bicycle parking facility proposed for College Park Metrorail station
Metro seeks input from bicyclists on pilot program
 
Metro would like to pilot a secure bicycle garage at the College Park Metrorail station and is seeking input from local bicyclists on the proposed pilot program.

Specifically, Metro is asking potential users for their views on pricing, payment methods and how to access the garage. Visit http://www.PlanItMetro.com to participate in the customer bicycle survey.
 
The PlanItMetro.com blog outlines several options and asks riders to complete a Metro Bike Garage Access Method Survey. Alternatives include access using a SmarTrip card or a separate parking card, and daily, monthly or annual fees.
 
The proposed garage would give riders secure bike parking in an enclosed space with room for about 80 bicycles. The facility also would include lighting and surveillance cameras.
 
Bicycles are permitted on Metrorail except 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Bikes are not permitted on Metrorail on July 4 or other special events or select holidays when large crowds use the system. Bicycle racks, available for free on a first-come, first-use basis, are available at many rail stations. Additionally, Metro offers bicycle rental lockers at select stations. Bus riders can use bike racks at the front of every Metrobus at any time. For more information about Metro’s bicycle policy, visit the Bicycle Policy and Guidelines page at http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride/guidelines.cfm.
 
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Latest updates from DDOT on H Street NE streetscape construction closures and restrictions. 

Daytime Restrictions Planned For South Side Of 8th & 9th Street Intersections of H Street NE

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the following restrictions applying to the south side of the 8th Street and 9th Street intersections with H Street NE on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 3, 4, and 5, 2011, weather permitting, to accommodate streetcar track work within these intersections.

Thursday, February 3 & Saturday, February 5 – 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
At the 9th Street intersection, on the south side of H Street, 9th Street runs into the driveway entrance to the parking lot of the H Street Connection shopping center. This parking lot entrance will be closed. Signs and flaggers will direct motorists to use the parking lot entrance on the west side of the 700 block of 10th Street. On Thursday, the contractor will prepare the intersection for pouring the concrete for the streetcar track slab. On Saturday, the concrete will be poured for the streetcar track slab. [NOTE: If the Saturday temperature is too cold to pour concrete, the work will be rescheduled for Monday, February 7, weather permitting.,]

The X1, X2, and X9 Express bus stop currently located at 9th Street in front of the shopping center will be moved during these work periods to the southeast side of 7th Street at H Street. There will be no change in the X1, X2, and X9 Express bus routes.

Friday, February 4  – 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
The south side of the 8th Street intersection will be closed to through traffic so the contractor can pour concrete for the streetcar track slab across the intersection. The 700 block of 8th Street – this is the block just south of H Street – will be available only to local residential traffic. Detour signs will be posted, and flaggers will be on hand to assist motorists and pedestrians.

During these work periods, the 90 and 92 Metrobuses will be detoured from their regular route and stops in the 700 block of 8th Street NE, as follows:

 90 and 92 buses traveling north on 8th Street will turn left (west) on G Street, right (north) on 6th  Street, right (east) on H Street, and left (north) on 8th Street to resume their normal route.
 Northbound 90 and 92 buses will stop at the northeast corner of 8th and H Streets, instead of at the regular bus stop on 8th Street just south of H Street.
 90 and 92 buses traveling south on 8th Street will turn left (east) on K Street, right (south) on 10th Street, right (west) on G Street, and left (south) on 8th Street to resume their normal route.
 Southbound 90 and 92 buses will stop at the southwest corner of 10th and H Streets, instead of at their regular stop on 8th Street just south of H Street.

The work is part of DDOT’s H Street Reconstruction Project. More information about the project is available on the DDOT website, at dashboard.ddot.dc.gov under the Ward 6 Projects Link.

Thank you for your patience. As always, please call on us whenever we can provide additional information or assistance.