Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with the District Department of Transportation, is setting the stage for a unique urban experience with the inaugural Open Streets Capitol Hill event. This Saturday, from 9 am to 3 pm, sections of North Carolina Avenue SE, East Capitol Street, and Massachusetts Avenue SE will be transformed into a car-free environment for the community to enjoy. The area, spanning more than a mile, will be dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging physical activity and neighborhood camaraderie, as reported by the District Department of Transportation.
According to the District Department of Transportation, the day will be packed with complimentary activities ranging from fitness classes to bike clinics, all focusing on health, safety, and community engagement. Local organizations and businesses are pitching in, with Eastern Market extending its reach to include extra vendors along the vehicle-free expanse. “We are excited to bring the community together to experience our streets in a fun and safe way as we take over Capitol Hill for the first time in Open Streets DC history,” Sharon Kershbaum, DDOT Director, expressed in the announcement.
Open Streets supports Mayor Bowser’s goal of making DC neighborhoods safer and easier to get around. Since she took office, DC has added 55 miles of bike lanes (including 35 protected ones), 13 miles of bus-only lanes, and expanded its trail network to 67 miles. The Capital Bikeshare system has also grown. These changes show the city's strong focus on better transportation options and improving city life, as stated by the District Department of Transportation.
The FY26 Budget, dubbed Grow DC, is set to bolster this vision with substantial investments that benefit all eight wards. From a $76 million lifeline to WMATA to $73 million dedicated to new pedestrian and bike trails, these monetary commitments are a testament to the long-term strategy for a multimodal DC, as outlined by the District Department of Transportation.
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