“Haphazard enforcement of rules regarding sidewalk access during construction keeps making our city dangerous in ways it doesn’t need to be”

“Dear PoPville,

Saturday afternoon, on 4th street sw just across from the Hilton under construction at F st sw, they had blocked off the sidewalk to let new concrete dry. The sign helpfully suggested I cross to the other side of the street — where construction has closed the sidewalk for a month. Oh, and to make it worse, they were suggesting I cross the street nowhere near a crosswalk or a ramp.

Being able bodied, I stepped off the curb into the bike lane and walked around. But if I wasn’t… Since 395 blocks most of the ways north here, there are zero options here other than backtracking half a block, going west three blocks, going north two blocks, then back east. Or stepping / rolling into the bike lane or street.

Haphazard enforcement of rules regarding sidewalk access during construction keeps making our city dangerous in ways it doesn’t need to be.

-Concerned Southwest Resident”