Farmers' Market could close busy D.C. street

WASHINGTON -- Whether it's a motorcade or a security perimeter, D.C. drivers are pretty accustomed to road blocks and disruptions, but even the most seasoned D.C. road warrior might be a little upset to find his commute may have to change because of a farmers' market.

The Office of First Lady Michelle Obama is supporting a request to periodically close a section of Vermont Avenue, not far from the White House, for a farmers' market.

Freshfarm Markets is asking that Vermont Avenue between H and I Streets, NW be closed every Thursday between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. -- a stretch of time that would cover the entire afternoon rush hour.

"We have received a request and we are working on it, but nothing has been finalized," DDOT spokesperson John Lisle tells WTOP.

In August, the president talked about getting a farmers market started just outside of the White House.

"You know Michelle set up that garden in the White House," Obama said. "One of the things we're trying to do now is to figure out, can we get a little farmer's market outside of the White House -- I'm not going to have all y'all just tromping around -- but right outside the White House."

The First Lady has been invited to help kick off the opening of the Vermont Avenue market.

Word has been circulating through local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions in D.C. and has some on edge.

"I take this road every day, and imagine this will worsen gridlock since 15th Street just north of this block is a major northbound artery out of town," writes a concerned resident to WTOP. "There are so many roads already closed for security, it will only make the H street corridor even worse."

"That block of Vermont carries about 4,600 cars a day," says Lisle. "By comparison, H and I Streets each carry more than 20,000."

Lisle says there is no timetable for when the Vermont Avenue closure could be approved.

The Obama administration is starting to amass a file when it comes to being linked to traffic disruptions on D.C. streets.

The president's transition team caused some headaches when it moved into its headquarters at 451 6th St., N.W., about a block away from the Verizon Center.

Road closures also went into effect when the president temporarily moved into the Hay Adams hotel before moving into the White House.

(Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)