DDOT site helps monitor projects

DDOT is revamping its Web portal on the District's home page, allowing residents to monitor the progression of projects in their wards step by step--and determine which projects are over budget or pushing deadline, and why.

Its H Street NE streetscaping page, for example, shows that 35 tasks involved in the $30 million project ($12 million has been spent so far) are late, a total of 6 percent of the tasks. The installation of curbs and gutters on the 900 block, it shows, is 80 percent complete--but was supposed to be finished by last December. The first phase of work on the 800 block was supposed to be wrapped up by now, too, but it looks like the holdup is the installation of a '10" PCC base.'

You'll also be able to sign up for alerts to keep up with latest on a particular task.

The site is still incomplete, but it's one more window into the construction you see when you look out your own window. It was touted on DDOT's blog--which is also brand new--and seems to jive with two themes expressed there by DDOT director Gabe Klein: "Communication with our constituents" and "it's okay to admit when we make a mistake."

It's frustrating when these infrastructure projects disrupt our commutes or our neighborhoods, especially when they run over cost or seem to drag on indefinitely--but too often, the greater frustration is the feeling of being kept in the dark about what's going on.