Pennsylvania Avenue West
Washington, D.C.
About Pennsylvania Avenue West
Led by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), the Pennsylvania Avenue West streetscape project (Penn Ave West) seeks to improve travel for pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic along this iconic corridor in the western portion of Downtown D.C.
Often less touted than its well-known sister corridor to the east located between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, Penn Ave West is a vital connection for residents, commuters, and tourists to neighborhoods including Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, Golden Triangle, and Downtown D.C. The corridor hosts several important public spaces, institutions, and destination eateries in the District including Edward R Murrow Park, George Washington University, the World Bank, United Nations Foundation, Founding Farmers, and District Commons. The corridor is also the pilot location for the District’s Smart Cities initiative.
Project Background
Penn Ave West builds on the Golden Triangle BID’s 2015 West of the White House study and DDOT’s Downtown West Transportation Planning 2017 study, as well as an array of previous planning efforts by DDOT and other agencies. Throughout these previous studies, DDOT sought to reach a diverse range of people who use Penn Ave West, including agency partners. These studies helped develop a vision for the future of the corridor while also outlining key policy priorities and strategies to meet the project’s goals and objectives.
With input from stakeholder groups like the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), National Park Service (NPS), Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID), and the public, the project will turn the Penn Ave West corridor into a destination that amplifies its important role as a connector and iconic destination in the District.
DDOT recently completed the 65% design plans for Penn Ave West. Comments are now being accepted on this design phase as the design moves towards Final Design.
Get Involved
DDOT will be providing updates at Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A and 2B meetings and hosting public meetings to solicit feedback on the concept design. They also invite people to provide comments on the project website.