Why parking along Washington’s popular U Street corridor will soon become more expensive

To encourage drivers to consider other travel options, the Washington Department of Transportation is raising parking fees along the busy U Street corridor.

On Monday, the agency announced plans for the Greater U Street Performance Parking Zone, created in response to legislation passed by the D.C. Council last year.

Researchers reviewed congestion and parking trends in the area and found that there was low demand in the evening, higher demand in the afternoon, and peak demand at night.

That’s why the city is adopting a demand-based pricing model “to increase curbside sales and actually drive better utilization and balance the needs of visitors and residents who need to park where they live,” said Laura MacNeil, staff member Director of DDOT’s Curbside Management Division.

Starting December 17th, parking will be $3 per hour from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m., $5 per hour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and $8 per hour from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Parking is free on Sundays between 3 a.m. and 6 p.m

“If there is affordable parking, more people will want to park,” MacNeil said. “That’s why we’re trying to adjust the parking equation so people better understand the costs of driving around, finding parking and double parking.”

There is already around-the-clock enforcement activity along the corridor from the city’s nightlife task force, and changes are also occurring on surrounding residential streets.

Currently, visitors can find spaces on a residential street where they can park for free for two hours. But soon visitors who don’t have a resident parking spot or visitor pass will pay the same rates as drivers who park along the main corridor, MacNeil said.

Part of the goal, she said, is to reduce double parking and drivers parking in crosswalks.

“People will choose different routes to get to this area, which means people who need to travel through will have an easier time coping,” MacNeil said.

There are no costs for violations in the first 30 days. But then tickets are issued. This will be the price given in other parts of the city.

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