"We must increase enforcement of utility projects by shutting down those that are not in compliance," said Williams at a November 10 press conference on the street corner in front of the Conference of Mayors' offices.

In setting forth a four-part agenda to improve traffic flow in the city, the only actions to take effect immediately were those to control utility cuts in downtown streets by telecommunications companies seeking to install broad-band networks for faster internet access and other services.

Williams' plan requires better quality and faster permanent repair of utility excavations, calls for a moratorium on downtown street excavations and steps to expand the co-location of utility work. Other measures to reduce traffic congestion include hiring additional Metropolitan Police traffic aides, adding "green" time to the traffic signal cycle and implementation of a new traffic control system, which is slated for June 30, 2003.

His plan also calls for increased efforts to control parking, including towing of illegally parked cars, signage changes and a new parking meter rate structure. He called for a new package of safety initiatives to be developed by the Metropolitan Police Department, whose Chief Charles Ramsey, joined with the mayor for announcement. Williams also announced his intention to work with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and others on the reopening of Pennsylvania Avenue nearby The White House, a main arterial which has been closed to automobiles for security reasons.