Eleanor Holmes Norton Slams Proposal to Shut Portion of I-395

The developer of the Capitol Crossing project and the Federal Highway Administration are discussing temporarily closing part of I-395 to speed construction.

But Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton says they haven’t appropriately sought input from local members of Congress and the public.

Norton said in a statement issued today (Monday) that she had not received notice of the proposal that could clog the commute.

“Impacts of a closure would fall directly not only on the District, whose streets in the area are already saturated, but equally on regional and D.C. residents, who need participation, time and planning before a major highway is closed,” she said in a statement.

Norton demanded a meeting with the FHWA, the District Department of Transportation and regional members of Congress. That meeting was scheduled, her office said in an update.

The developer, Property Group Partners, says closing the highway between New York Avenue and D Street NW for 15 to 18 months would cut part of construction time in half, The Washington Post reported. The long-planned project will create residences, retail, offices and the Mario Batali restaurant and store Eataly, according to Washington City Paper.

Photo via Facebook/Congresswoman Norton