Transportation Happenings - 32nd St SE & Alabama Ave SE (Update)

The Street, Traffic & Transportation Committee for Hillcrest, is committed to improving the safety of our streets for pedestrians, bicyclist and motorists. ANC Commissioners and residents have been trying to get a permanent solution to speeding along the stretch between 30th St SE and Alabama Ave SE for several years. One issue we've been working on since the beginning of 2011 is the intersection of 32nd St and Alabama Ave SE. An update was posted on the committee blog in March.

The committee has been working with DDOT staff since March 2011 to develop a permanent solution. To ensure this issue was on the radar of the interim (soon-to-be confirmed) director, the committee sent him an email outlining the issues.

DDOT's response: DC Department of Transportation as indicated in a earlier transmittal that we are working diligently to resolve this problem for the long term --- we cannot continue to put temporary solutions in place ---i.e. pedestrian placards in the middle of the road ---- Our solution will be long term implemented in the next 6 months and we are working with MPD to place a traffic camera mid – block --------- in this corridor ----------- we are also focused on the speeding that occurs from 30th street – on Alabama Ave to 36th Street SE on Alabama------- We are available to the public to discuss what is being looked at --- please encourage your constituents to call us at 202- 671-4667

In addition, Chairman Brown's Director of Constituent Services visited the intersection earlier this month. They concluded that a traffic signal was needed at that intersection.

(Photo courtesy of Chairman Brown's Office)

Transportation Happenings - 32nd St SE & Alabama Ave SE

The intersection at 32nd St and Alabama Ave is is dangerous because of the poor sight distance traveling North on Alabama and the long stretch without a traffic signal that encourages higher speeds. I put in a request to consider a traffic signal.

Response from DDOT:

The traffic signal analysis is still going on—there is concern about backing up traffic onto Branch with additional signal so close to Alabama and Branch and 30 and Branch ( where you turn to Market Place) …but they are working hard to look--- at alternatives ---- the other intersection they will be done this week and they will give me the report mid-week next week

Please stay tuned for updates.

Transportation Happenings - 38th Street SE

Over the years there have been several complaints about speeding and motorists not stopping for pedestrians on 38th Street SE between Suitland Road and Alabama Ave. In my recent memory there have been at least three petitions for speed humps floating around.

Excerpt from email from DDOT:

Speed Hump on 38th Street SE : As you know DDOT traffic engineers have been out twice to this location it is a hill and a bus route. It is dangerous to place speed humps on hills or streets with a steep incline. Some were place on a hill where 38th crosses at Suitland Road and the bus route does not exist.. Numerous cars have been hit on this narrow incline that does not level off until it reaches 32nd street. The segment is from Alabama Ave to the intersection of Suitland Rd The bus route would be placed into jeopardy due to extensive damages to their under carriage. WMATA [sic] We have a commitment from your precinct commander to move the remote speeding cameras to any location ( i.e. it sat for a year on Branch and Erie – mitigated all speeding) DDOT appeals to your organization to contact Commander Contee so he can begin the process of requesting this service to be in place in a timely fashion.

As another solution, we proposed is making the two intersection along 38th (intersection at W and V) three-way stops. Since the WMATA buses already stop at W and V St it would not affect their operations. DDOT is currently doing a speed study on 38th Street. I'll keep you updated.