October 25, 1999
District Reopens G Street, N.W.
Reopening Hopes to Add Parking and Ease Traffic
(Washington, D.C.) Mayor Anthony A. Williams was joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater and residents of the District for the reopening of the 900 block of G Street, N.W. to vehicle traffic. The 900 block of G Street, N.W. was closed to traffic in the 1970's and converted into a pedestrian mall and urban park, which eventually fell to disrepair and public safety issues developed.
"By reopening G Street, we remove another barrier to fully realizing a thriving downtown," said Mayor Williams. "With the opening of the MCI Center and other ensuing business development in the area, we realized that this area was not being used to its fullest potential."
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has partnered with the District's Department of Public Works in restoring G Street. Work began in May and was completed this month. The District Government's other partner, the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District, will work with the District to ensure that downtown D.C. rivals every other world capital in business, entertainment, cultural and tourism opportunities.
"President Clinton and I are committed to being good neighbors to the District of Columbia," said Secretary Slater. "This project represents our ongoing commitment to do all we can to assist the District in improving the transportation system in our nation's capital for the benefit of residents and all who visit."
For the first time in a generation, G Street traffic will be able to move unimpeded. For Mayor Williams this is another action taken to reduce downtown gridlock.
