ANC 2G commissioners debated a DDOT proposal to redesign the intersection at 10th St. NW and Massachusetts Ave NW during their July 9th meeting. The proposed changes are intended to improve pedestrian safety after concerns about speeding and dangerous left turns.
According to ANC Chairman Steven McCarty, DDOT’s proposal would remove three parking spaces, shift traffic lanes, add a median, create a semi-protected bike lane and install striping to slow turning vehicles. All with the goal of improving pedestrian visibility.
The proposal was introduced to ANC 2G by McCarty as he recounted an accident at the intersection a few years ago. “Someone was killed at this intersection in October 2022, a pedestrian in the crosswalk. So, the real rhythm of this NOI is making sure that folks don’t make aggressive, illegal left-hand turns,” McCarty said.
McCarty advocated for his constituent’s safety as they navigate this intersection. He noted that there is a daycare nearby where children and families are often walking. “Making sure they don’t make a wide, quick turn is the whole purpose, to slow people down,” McCarty said.
Residents present at the meeting shared their concerns with the intersection. One man who frequently passes by the intersection referred to it as his most unfavorite block. “Myself and my husband, we actually cross that intersection maybe 2 to 3 times a week, and we don’t like it. It’s awful,” he said.
The NOI, which has not been posted in DC’s open data network yet, raised concerns for commissioner Sheena Berry. She wants more time for her constituents to be able to review the NOI and bring their concerns to DDOT. “I would like to have my constituents look at this a little bit more,” Berry said.
Berry proposed a motion to delay the decision for ANC 2G to support the DDOT proposal to get more community feedback, review alternative solutions and consider a left-turn signal before making a recommendation on permanent infrastructure changes. Commissioner Padro agreed stating, “I like her suggestion of actually having some signalization in addition to these improvements.”
As the commissioners came to a decision to support the DDOT proposal, commissioner Rachelle Nigro advocated to continue to think about how signals could be a meaningful change at the intersection. “I am for the signal, let me make that clear, but it takes a very long time,” Nigro said.
ANC 2G ultimately decided to support the NOI while asking DDOT to add left-turn signals. Residents had until August 7 to submit comments on the proposal through DDOT’s NOI Portal. Now, the DDOT is at work making its final decision.
Featured image/photo courtesy of Google Maps.
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