WASHINGTON — Starting Monday, ticket writers in the District of Columbia will crack down on illegal parking along the H Street-Benning Road corridor from the Hopscotch Bridge to the old Spingarn High School.
The effort comes ahead of the launch of streetcar service along the stretch later this year. Last week, warning notices were put on cars. But starting Monday, the tickets will be real.
“Streetcar vehicles are on the H Street/Benning Road corridor to test and train for passenger service,” says a DDOT flier.
“Cars parked outside of the lines, including illegally double-parked vehicles, will impeded the streetcar, delay service along the line, and result in a ticket and/or tow for your vehicle. Please stay within the lines,” it reads.
Spots along the street have a white line boundary, or box, that cars need to park inside. Vehicles too large to fit within the boundary should find another place to park.
The fine for parking, stopping or standing on the streetcar tracks or next to a streetcar station is $100.
As with other parking tickets, drivers can appeal the citation with the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles. The DMV offers walk-in hearings, mail adjudication and online adjudication. Walk-in hearings result in a decision on the spot, whereas mail and online adjudication can take weeks or many months to decide.
DDOT will begin intensive testing along the tracks for the rest of the summer and into the fall, and will complete the car barn at Spingarn High School.
Streetcar service along H Street-Benning Road has been delayed several times. It was supposed to be done before the end of 2013, then was expected in the spring.
DDOT now says the project will be complete before the end of the year.
Related Stories:
- D.C. streetcar won’t open until late summer or fall
- D.C. streetcar line delayed again
- Hundreds apply for 34 D.C. streetcar jobs
- Streetcar moving to H Street for testing
Follow @WTOP and @WTOPTraffic on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.
