The Reconstruction of Oregon Avenue in Washington, D.C. Earns Envision Silver Award for Sustainability
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Reconstruction of Oregon Avenue project is a recent recipient of the Envision Silver Award. The Envision framework rates sustainable infrastructure projects across the full range of environmental, social, and economic impacts. The Oregon Avenue project is the first in the District of Columbia to earn a prestigious Envision sustainable infrastructure award.
The design resolves significant transportation deficiencies along a 1.7-mile corridor, including deteriorating pavements, roadway geometry, inconsistent roadway width, stormwater drainage, transportation structures, and roadway lighting, as well as sight distances and pedestrian facilities.
“Systematically addressing all types of deficiencies with creative engineering solutions that fit the setting of the project, in conjunction with developing a strong public outreach platform that enables effective and cohesive input from the community who are the eyes and ears of the city will create and/or foster the recipe for great projects that benefit the world. This is the level of excellence that is instilled by our Chief Engineer, Dawit Muluneh, PE, and is DDOT Director Jeff Marootian’s top priorities under Vision Zero – Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initiative to prevent fatalities and serious accidents.”
– Wayne Wilson, DDOT Project Manager
Volkert, Inc. – a leading provider of transportation and infrastructure consulting services – worked in close collaboration with DDOT to deliver this award-winning, sustainable project design. The design team used a context-sensitive solutions approach to design a safe multi-modal environment for motorists, cyclists, transit users, and pedestrians that provides accessibility and connectivity to nearby destinations and preserves the woodland character surrounding the corridor.
“Volkert is very proud of our work for the Reconstruction of Oregon Avenue,” said Oliver Boehm, RLA, ENV SP, Manager of Landscape Architecture at Volkert. “It was a complete team effort that included collaboration across numerous disciplines, the local communities, and the many stakeholders who have vested interests along the corridor. Critical to the success of this project was extensive engagement with the public, the consistent coordination with approval agencies, and the commitment to developing a holistic design,” Boehm continued. “A holistic approach not only addresses transportation issues but also seeks to provide benefits for community.” Mr. Boehm was responsible for stakeholder engagement and sustainable design for the project.
To earn recognition from ISI, the project team submitted detailed design plans for independent, third-party review relative to the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system. Envision assesses sustainability in five categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Natural World, Resource Allocation, and Climate and Resilience. Cumulatively, these categories contribute to positive social, economic and environmental impacts on a community during the planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects.
“In addition to addressing challenges associated with degrading infrastructure, the Reconstruction of Oregon Avenue project serves to protect and enhance conditions within and around Rock Creek Park,” said ISI President and CEO John Stanton. “The project design minimizes environmental impacts in several ways, including integrating stormwater management within the roadway by using bioretention cells, permeable pavements and incorporating a sidewalk design that minimizes disturbance to existing trees and natural features. For these reasons and more, ISI is pleased to present the Reconstruction of Oregon Avenue project with the Envision Silver Award for sustainable infrastructure.”
Some of the sustainable features that contributed to this project earning Envision Silver include:
The interactive website continues to provide a useful means for ensuring ongoing and productive public engagement throughout the project stages. The site contains information such as project schedule and public participation opportunities, Design features being considered for the project—as well as unique aspects of the project, such as a reforestation initiative for residents and street lighting options along the corridor—are clearly explained and illustrated on the website.
