via google maps

A reader reports around 5:50am an intern was hit in the 2400 block of Georgia Ave, NW. He wasn’t sure if the intern was walking or jogging but he sustained a broken leg and is currently stable at Medstar. The driver reportedly stayed on the scene.

Updates when/if more is known.

Ed. Note: I believe at most locations these are intended to slow down cars that are turning.

“Dear PoPville,

Any idea what these new lane blockers are supposed to be “solving?” They were recently installed along 13th St. at Kenyon, Columbia Rd. and a few other streets. They prevent cars from going around a car that is waiting to turn left. I suppose that might be a good idea to prevent cars turning right and hitting pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk with the green light, but Kenyon and Columbia are one-way going west. So no cars would be turning right.

All it does is back up traffic along 13th st. and encourage drivers to make more risky left turns.”

Death. Trap.

1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

From a press release:

“In the wake of three fatal traffic crashes in one week (one driver, one pedestrian, and one bicyclist were killed), hundreds of residents, DC Councilmembers, ANC Commissioners and advocates gather to demand swift changes to the District’s streets.

When : Friday, April 26th at 12pm Read More

“Dear PoPville,

I walk to work via NY Avenue east to west and I’ve noticed that Lafayette Square is barricaded in the mornings more and more often. What’s the deal? The weird thing is, you would think it would be for heightened security reasons, right? Interestingly, it’s not necessarily barricaded when foreign dignitaries are staying at Blair House, so what gives? Why the nuisance? Why can’t they wait to barricade after the morning commuters have passed through? Read More

Sadly, a stock photo from an incident in 2015

From a press release:

“Advocates and community members from across the DC region are expected to gather on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 5:15 p.m. to hold a memorial walk in memory of the 10 pedestrians who have been killed by drivers on DC roads this year. The organizers are demanding the District government to improve pedestrian infrastructure and enforce violations like blocking the box or crosswalks in the hopes of preventing future fatalities.

The ride will honor the memories of:

Marcelina Yanez, 84, who was killed at 400 Michigan Ave. NE on Jan. 4.
Roderick Scott, 60, who was killed at 1300 Rhode Island Ave. NE on Jan. 8.
Vincent Childs, 42, who was killed at 3200 Wheeler Rd. SE on Mar. 2.
Kenneth Clarke, 19, who was killed at 5300 Western Ave. NW on Apr. 6. Read More

The following was written by PoPville contributor David McAuley, founder of Short Articles about Long Meetings.

detail from documents DDOT handed out at the meeting

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 1D/Mount Pleasant voted to endorse a plan to repave and restripe a section of Park Road NW, from the bridge over Piney Branch Road in Rock Creek Park to just past the intersection with Walbridge Place. The plan, as presented at the September 25 ANC meeting by a representative of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), would eliminate several on-street parking spaces in the neighborhood, which brought some local residents to the meeting to object.

The ANC’s resolution to urge DDOT to proceed with the plan includes a suggestion to refrain from putting a “Stop” sign and a “No parking” sign at the corner of Park Road and Pierce Mill Road, which would create a new 40-foot long area (about 2-3 car lengths) where parking would be unambiguously not allowed. Apparently, parking occurs there now, but Emily Dalphy, DDOT Transportation Engineer, said that parking in this area might already be “technically illegal”. Read More

EB reports: “there’s a tree box on Connecticut Ave between Kalorama and Wyoming that is trying to lure pedestrians to their death.”

Ed. Note: Also, don’t eat the desiccant packets that often come with new clothing.

14th and U Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Wondering if you know what’s happening at 14th and U. We used to have a turn signal there. It was removed a while back.

Now there is regularly a police officer there directing traffic. Last Saturday, I was out running errands by foot. The police officer was YELLING at pedestrians not to cross, even when we had the light, so that she could let cars turn left. It wasn’t particularly backed up. It meant that a lot of people were confused about whether they could cross and would then try to run while she was letting people go. It was a hot mess.

This is a highly trafficked pedestrian area. Why is DDOT prioritizing car traffic there? If they want people to cross safely and drivers to turn left safely, this is not a good solution. Maybe we need that fancy intersection they have in Chinatown.” Ed. Note: There’s also a barnes dance crossing in Columbia Heights. Not a bad idea here!