(Washington, DC) District drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who travel through the New York Avenue and Florida Avenue intersection will now encounter a new traffic pattern, and the first significant test of this new “virtual circle” will come with Monday’s morning commute. This weekend the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) reconfigured the intersection, signifying the beginning of the final phase of the ongoing safety project, which also includes First Street, NE and Eckington Place, to make it safer, and it could take motorists and other travelers a little time to get used to the changes.

The diagram below illustrates the new traffic pattern. There is also video animation of the changes posted at http://www.youtube.com/ddotvideos.

With the new traffic patterns:

• First Street, NE is now one way southbound from Florida Avenue to New York Avenue.
• Florida Avenue is limited to one way traffic westbound between O Street and First Street, NE.
• Eastbound Florida Avenue traffic is detoured to First Street. From there, drivers can go left on New York Avenue and right on O Street to return to Florida Avenue.
• Northbound First Street traffic wishing to access westbound New York or Florida Avenues will be temporarily detoured via M and Third Streets, NE.
• Southbound Eckington Place traffic is no longer be allowed to turn left on Florida Avenue. Eckington traffic can use First Street to reach New York Avenue and eastbound Florida Avenue,

DDOT will have Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) at the intersection Monday to assist with the flow of traffic. Drivers and cyclists should also pay close attention to the posted signs, lane markings and new traffic signals, and pedestrians are urged to use caution and follow marked detour routes around the construction zones.

The $3 million reconfiguration of the intersection is designed to improve circulation and decrease accidents. The project is scheduled to be completed in August and final traffic pattern changes will be announced at that time.

Additional information about the project is available online at dashboard.ddot.dc.gov.