DC Reopening Brings Expanded Services, Lowered Speed Limits

WASHINGTON, DC — As D.C. enters its first full day of a phased reopening Friday, city leaders announced a number of expanded services for District residents, as well as reduced speed limits in some of the city's neighborhoods.

"The District will continue to, of course, provide vital services both in person and online to D.C. residents, and I encourage private employers in the District and other government agencies to do the same," Mayor Muriel Bowser, during a Friday morning press briefing. "The majority of government workers will continue to be in a telework posture to support our public health goals."

The mayor confirmed the D.C. government would be expanding some of its services not previously announced as part of the Phase One of the reopening. Expanded services include:

• D.C. Parks and Recreation will be reopening some of its park facilities on a rolling basis.
• D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles' Southwest Service Center (95 M St., S.W.) will reopen Tuesday, June 2 on an appointment only basis, for three services: first time or conversion of a D.C. license or ID card, including learners permit; first time or conversion to a D.C. vehicle title and registration.; and the knowledge test.
• Residents will be able to reserve and drop off books at the Cleveland Park (3310 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) and Anacostia (1800 Good Hope Road, S.E.) libraries. Residents can reserve books using the chat function on the D.C. Public Library website or by calling the library. Over the next two weeks, DCPL will expand the list of open libraries to include one in each ward.
• Fort Totten Waste Transfer Station (4900 John McCormack Drive, N.E.) reopened Friday for the public to drop-off trash and bulk items. Monthly services, such as document shredding and household hazardous waste drop-off, will continue to be available on the first Saturday of the month, starting June 6.

One of the things the Metropolitan Police Department noticed during the stay-at-home period was that with empty streets, more people were speeding. To address that, Bowser announced the District would be lowering speed limits on neighborhood streets from 25 to 20 miles per hour.

"While it may seem like a small change, we know that surviving accidents is strongly correlated to speed," she said. "Lowering the speed limit will help us keep people safe."

Last year, the District lowered the speed limit to 15 miles per hour near schools and recreation centers. The new speed limit for neighborhood streets will go into effect on Monday, June 1.

Related:

• Coronavirus Numbers Continue To Improve As DC Reopens
• 8 New Coronavirus Deaths In DC; District Prepares To Reopen
• DC To Enter Phased Reopening On Friday With Some Restrictions
• New Coronavirus Cases In DC Double Previous Day's Number
• Confirmed Coronavirus Cases In DC Tops 7,500
• DC On Track To Re-Open Bowser Says; 8 New Coronavirus Deaths