DC Government

“Dear PoPville,

An Argument for Lower Speed Limits in Residential Areas?

Not sure what DC laws are b/c I don’t have a car. But I have noticed that DC drivers tend to navigate their vehicles like maniacs, and it can get quite stressful walking about…”

The reader includes a link and graph from Andrew Sullivan that shows pedestrians have a 45% chance of being killed by a car going 30mph but only a 5% chance if it is going 20mph.

Yesterday on twitter Ward 4 Council Member Muriel Bowser tweeted:

“Should speed limit on residential streets be 15 mph? I just intro’d legislation to require lowering the speed limit. Let’s talk about it.”

Personally I’m opposed to a 15mph limit. I echo what some have said already – I’d prefer enforcement of current laws. When I see a car going 50mph on a residential street it is terrifying. And that should be illegal. I think 15mph is just painfully slow. I’d also be curious to learn how a “residential street” is defined? What do you guys think – should the residential street speed limit be lowered to 15mph?

“Dear PoPville,

What’s the deal here? It’s been going like this for hours and possibly over a day. Can they not stop it? Last night N St. was starting to flood. Didn’t have a chance to check it out this morning, but hopefully it has stopped. There must be a reason but still seems so wasteful.

Photo is facing west on N from 15th toward Scott Circle.”

A few folks have been inquiring as to what’s going on here. Thanks to DC Water’s Alan Heymann for the quick response:

“Thanks for asking!

We have a leaking 72-inch water main at the location your reader pointed out. To fix the leak, our crews must turn off water service to the pipe and drain it. As you can imagine, a pipe that is large enough for most people to stand up inside can hold quite a bit of water. So yes, this is intentional and we’re draining many, many gallons.

It may appear that this work is a waste of water. On the other hand, an unrepaired leak on a 6-foot water main could lead to a break, which could disrupt water service, cause property damage or lead to even more loss of water from the system.

Good question… please keep them coming.

Your readers can always feel free to reach out to us directly by phone at (202) 612-3400, by email at [email protected], or on Twitter, @dcwater.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

From a press release:

“WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL STREET SWEEPING ENDS MONDAY, OCT. 31;
LEAF COLLECTION SEASON BEGINS MON., NOV. 7

(Washington, DC) The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that weekly residential mechanical street cleaning will end for the season Monday, October 31, 2011. “No Parking/Street Cleaning” restrictions will be lifted and motorists may park on posted, alternate-side, daytime sweeping routes without moving their cars on street-cleaning days. Residential street sweeping will resume March 1, weather permitting.

Residential street sweeping is suspended for public safety concerns and to allow the employees to transition to leaf collection duties, which start November 7. The sweepers release a fine spray of water to control the dust as they sweep. When the temperature is at freezing or below, the spray can freeze and cause accidents to vehicles and pedestrians.

Overnight sweeping along the District’s major roadways, e.g., Pennsylvania, Georgia, Constitution, and Independence avenues, will continue all winter, as weather permits. Motorists should obey the street sweeping signs posted along these streets.

By suspending the street sweeping program, DPW personnel can focus on leaf collection, which begins November 7, as well as the upcoming snow removal season. The 2011-2012 leaf collection season begins November 7, 2011 and will run through January 14, 2012. Leaves will be removed from treeboxes at least twice. Loose leaves raked into the treeboxes or bagged leaves placed there will be collected and composted.

New brochures announcing the fall/winter leaf collection season were mailed to residents in October. The 2011-2012 leaf collection schedule also can be found by visiting www.dpw.dc.gov, selecting “Education and Outreach” and then “Brochures and Fact Sheets.”

For those who are super interested:

DPW To Discuss Leaf Season During Live, Online Chat, Wed., Oct. 26, at 1 PM

The Department of Public Works Street and Alley Cleaning Division will discuss how to prepare for leaf collection season and answer residents’ questions during a live, online chat Wednesday, October 26, 2011, from 1 pm – 2 pm.

To participate in the session once it has begun, place dpw.dc.gov/livechat into the search browser or visit www.dpw.dc.gov and select the “Chat Live” icon up at the top of DPW’s homepage. Transcripts of all chat sessions can be reviewed after the session by following the same instructions listed above to join the discussion.

From an email:

“Below is a reminder about the iGaming meeting next Monday, October 17, from 6:30-8:30pm at the Petworth library.

The DC Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board will hold a Ward 4 community meeting on plans for its iGaming DC program. The meeting will be at the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Avenue, NW.

ANC 4C passed a resolution requesting more transparency in this process and an opportunity for community comment. Please come learn about the proposed IGaming and share your concerns.”

We previously spoke about iGaming here and here.

From an email:

“NOW IS THE TIME!

Join Mayor Vince Gray, elected officials, renowned performing artists and national civil rights activists in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by demanding full democracy for the District of Columbia!

Saturday, October 15, 2011
Freedom Plaza (13th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW)
Rally and performance begin at 9:30am.
March to the Washington Monument begins at 11:00am.

***Students will receive community service credit!

ONE CITY, ONE VOICE… FULL DEMOCRACY NOW!”