BACKGROUND:
 The "Klingle Road Council Review Act of 2002" states: 

"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no capital program of federal
highway aid projects, federal-aid highway contract, or funds from any source
may be expended for Klingle Road, N.W. , for any purpose except to facilitate
the movement of motor vehicle traffic until a resolution has been
transmitted to, and approved by the Council authorizing the proposed use.
This section shall not preclude critically needed remediation work
including, but not limited to, repair to storm sewer system and protections
against further erosion of the roadbed."  

During the Budget Support Act hearing in May 2002, Mendelson attempted to strike the language, (above), from the Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Support Act. Mendelson's proposal was defeated by a 10-3 vote.  

HERE IS WHAT WE FOUND:
The FY 2003 Transportation Improvement Program includes a $1.915M line item for a Klingle Road Bicycle Project which was added at DDOT's request and was voted on and approved by the regional Transportation Planning Board on July 31, 2002 . At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson is the Chair of the Transportation Planning Board.  

Why are DDOT and Mr. Mendelson moving forward against the Council?  

FURTHER DETAILS:
The Transportation Improvement Program budget for a Klingle Road Bicycle Facility language can be found at http://www.repairklingleroad.org/TIP-FY2003-2008tip.pdf and states:

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
CAPITAL COSTS (in $1,000) FY 2003 2008, dated June 28, 2002
EA Facility: Klingle Road Bicycle Facility  $1.915M Total
From: Woodley Road
To: Porter Street
Jurisdiction: District of Columbia

Description: The department plans to conduct an environmental impact study to examine environmental, social and cultural impacts of reconstructing Klingle Road, N.W. between Calvert Street and Cortland Place as a bicycle pedestrian facility.

The scope of work will include preparation of preliminary design plans, and detailed plans and specifications of the final approved bicycle/pedestrian facility. This project is consistent with the Mayor's initiative to protect neighborhoods and protect the environment.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP THIS WASTE OF TAXPAYERS MONEY AND HAVE THE FUNDS USED TO REPAIR KLINGLE ROAD

WRITE the MAYOR: mayor@dc.gov, campaign@williamsformayor.org

WRITE the COUNCIL: dccouncil@dccouncil.washington.dc.us, especially At-Large Candidate
                                 Phil Mendelson pmendelson@dccouncil.washington.dc.us
SEND A LETTER ALREADY WRITTEN:  Go to http://www.repairklingleroad.org/register.htm

TESTIFY or SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY in time for Mr. Tangherlinis nomination hearing as Director, District Department of Transportation (DDOT), to be held on Friday, September 13, 2002 , and vote no confidence in his involvement in all matters pertaining to Klingle Road . Contact: Adrienne Carter:  acarter@dccouncil.washington.dc.us  

ASK THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO FIND OUT:  

1.    Since DDOT must have been aware of the requirements under the Budget Support Act, why are funds earmarked for a possible bicycle facility rather than funds earmarked for road repair?

2.   Why do DDOT and the Transportation Planning Board propose to spend precious funds on yet another study--$2M for an environmental impact study of possibly building a mile long bicycle path? An environmental impact study is not needed to repair the road.

3.   Why the only funding listed in past TIPs is for a Klingle Road feasibility study and now for a Klingle Road bicycle facility. In what budget document can the funds for the repair of Klingle Road be found?

4.  Why did At-Large Councilmember and Candidate for Re-election Mendelson go behind the Councils back and then make us believe that repairing Klingle Road will cost too much and that other projects wont get funded--when in fact, what he has proposed here will cost more than simply repairing Klingle Road?

5.   It appears now that a bicycle path would cost more, than the repair of Klingle Road. Where are the Districts cost-benefit analysis and an analysis of the impacts of closing our public road that would favor expenditure of public funds for the construction of a bicycle path in its place?

6.   What data did DDOT use to support the insertion of this funding into the budget, i.e., bicycle datahow many bicyclists a day would use the bike path, versus the already known at least 3,200 motorists who would use it every day?

7.    What the purpose of this "bicycle facility as it relates to the protection of neighborhoods and the environment as stated in the description of this project?  What neighborhood is being protected, and from what are they being protected?

8.   What methods would you use and which areas of the city would be selected to measure the positive and negative social and cultural impacts of this action?

9.   It seems that none of the $1.915M in the TIP document is for the repair of the Klingle Roads storm-sewer system drains. Can that be correct?  

10.  Why does DDOT want us to believe that by repair of this mile stretch of road, funding for projects such as the reconstruction of New Hampshire Avenue, NE over the railroad; Nebraska Avenue, NW from Nevada to Military; and Florida Avenue, NW from 9^th St. to North Capitol Street will go unfunded? This misinformation was found in a Klingle Road Fact Sheet distributed at recent candidates forums.  We found these projects already earmarked in the 2003-2008 TIP!  

Adding a Klingle Road Bicycle Facility project to the city budget goes against the majority of the residents of this city who want this road repaired. The Mayor and Council already have hard data on that fact, evidenced by the overwhelming public support DC citizens have shown, through their ANCs, neighborhood organizations, public forums, and in emails, to keep Klingle open.   

There is no hard data on the need for a bicycle path, nor is there a majority in this city who want to close the road. 

The people who live here want the road open.