Image by M.V. Jantzen licensed under Creative Commons.

There are two great ways to weigh in this week in for good transit and safer biking in Maryland and Virginia!

Virginia: As part of the I-66 interstate expansion, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is creating a new biking and walking trail along I-66 from Dunn Loring to Centreville. This could be great, but VDOT wants to squeeze the trail right between ten lanes of highway and the sound wall. VDOT needs to hear that this design is unacceptable. Head to one of three public meetings to weigh in.

The first is today, Monday, November 13, at Oakton High School Cafeteria (2900 Sutton Road) in Vienna. The second is on Tuesday, November 14, at Stone Middle School Cafeteria (5500 Sully Park Drive) in Centreville. The third is on Thursday, November 16 at Piney Branch Elementary School Cafeteria/Gym (8301 Linton Hall Road) in Bristow. The events begin at 6 pm with the presentation at 7 pm.

Maryland: Montgomery County is planning their first bus rapid transit line for Route 29. It is slated to open in 2020. Come to one of three information meetings in Silver Spring over the next two weeks to meet the BRT team and get your questions answered.

The first is on Wednesday, November 15, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at East County Regional Services Center (3300 Briggs Chaney Road). The second is on Tuesday, November 16, from 7 pm to 9 pm at Montgomery Blair High School (51 University Blvd East), and the third is on Monday, November 20, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Silver Spring Civic Center (1 Veterans Place).

Check out the other great events this week:

Today, Monday, November 13: The District Department of the Environment is updating the Sustainable DC Plan and they need your help! Head to one of several different workgroups this week to weigh in. There is a transportation workgroup at the Office of Planning (1100 4th St SW) and an energy, climate, and built environment workgroup at the Department of Energy and Environment (1200 First Street NE, 5th floor). Both are from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Tuesday, November 14: The new 11th Street Bridge Park will connect the neighborhoods of Anacostia on the east side of the river and Capitol Hill on the west. Head to the next Tuesdays at APA to hear from Vaughn Perry, Equitable Development Manager for the 11th Street Bridge Park, at 5:30 pm at the American Planning Association (1030 15th Street NW, Suite 750 West) for a discussion about the Bridge Park and the Equitable Development Plan, which was developed through a community-led process and is serving as a guide to ensure that the park’s development drives inclusive growth that results in opportunities for all residents.

Tuesday, November 14: Maryland Governor Hogan recently released a plan to widen, privatize, and toll I-270, I-495, and the BW Parkway. Head to the next Action Committee for Transit monthly meeting to hear what's fact and whats fiction. The speakers are Jeremy Mohler of In The Public Interest and Ben Ross, author of “Dead End: Suburban Sprawl and the Rebirth of American Urbanism” and Chair, Maryland Transit Opportunities Coalition. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (1 Veterans Place) in Silver Spring.

Wednesday, November 15: The Crystal City Business Improvement District is working to create a pedestrian connection between Crystal City and the airport. Hear the findings of their latest study at a public meeting at Crystal City BID (2011 Crystal Drive, 11th Floor). There will be two separate meetings, both on the same day (November 15) with the same agenda and in the same location; one meeting will be at 1 pm - 2:30 pm and the other meeting will be at 6:30 pm - 8 pm.

Thursday, November 16: The Capital Trails Coalition seeks to create a world-class network of multi-use trails that are equitably distributed throughout the DC region. Head to their fourth annual Trails Symposium to learn about and discuss the progress of the Coalition's second year, dig into current trail development topics, and look forward to the year ahead. The event is from 9 am to 5 pm at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).

Saturday, November 18: Fall is one of the most beautiful times to enjoy the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail! Join the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, the Bicycle Advisory Council and Councilmember Silverman to ride through the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and explore Bladensburg Waterfront Park from 10:30 am to 1 pm. The start point is the Capital Bikeshare station at 19th Street SE and East Capitol Street SE.

Sunday, November 19: Each year, more than 1.25 million people lose their lives in traffic crashes across the globe – including more than 40,000 in the US last year. On Sunday, the International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we stand up to say “Enough is enough” and demand change to end one of the leading—and preventable—causes of death. Speakers include friends and families of victims. The event is from 1 pm to 3 pm at Grant Circle (32 Grant Circle NW).

Tagged: events

Claire Jaffe was born in DC and now lives in the U Street area. She is a University of Michigan graduate and currently works at Coalition for Smarter Growth. On her off time, Claire can be found biking the street of DC or exploring the many green spaces throughout the region.