Neighborhood Notes - Foxhall: 19 July, 2000

Almost lost in the Field School furore over the constantly changing opinions on whether to allow a 10-car left turn stacking lane, or only a 3-car stack, was commitment by the Field school traffic engineers to use smart technology. This would use sensors imbedded within the turn lane and in the outgoing school driveway to “count” the number of cars waiting to turn, and then triggers the turn signal when the stack lane gets full.

 While for the Field School this issue is due to go back to BZA yet again, there’s yet opportunity for DPW to start exercising leadership and insist that FHWA use this technology on Canal Road entrance into GU. (This project is already approved at the conceptual level by NCPC and is now in the design phase).

 Another such opportunity exists on Reservoir Rd where both MedStar Hospital (former GUMC) and the neighboring residents share a common desire to resolve gridlock. Simulations of traffic load in this corridor fail to match the AM rush hour reality – what we need are solutions, not just thinly-grounded analysis.

 Within Foxhall, DC government has a spotty record in following through on delivering solutions. DPW is episodic in its enforcement of zone parking overstayers. DC Rec & Parks installed tot lot equipment but their contractor left off safety braces. Also with Bob Newman’s shuffle of DCRP managers earlier this year, no-one seems accountable to deliver the FY2000 budgeted upgrade of soccer/baseball field at Hardy Recreation, thus losing valuable summer construction opportunity.

© Bob Andrew, Foxhall