Neighborhood Notes - Foxhall: 24 May, 2000
GU and MedStar have just completed their joint traffic study to analyze the
impact from a re-vitalized acute-care GU Hospital and new Specialist offices on top of a
still-growing University. What is quite glaring in its omission is any assessment of
remedial options to relieve an already congested Reservoir Road. Implementation of such
options is squarely the responsibility of DPW, not of the traffic consultants retained by
GU, MedStar or community groups.
We finally learned the name of the DPW staffer assigned to review traffic
studies, but have not yet seen him make any appearance. How about DPW management and
specialists turning up to ANC2E Town Meeting on June 6 to address viability, budget and
timing of options such as:
- Synchronise existing lights on Reservoir at 37th, 38th & 39th
- Protected lane options for left-turn traffic to / from Reservoir
e.g. eliminate parking in places, or use GU land for extra lane
- Design options for protection of 38th St from through traffic
We understand that DPW is still short-staffed, but isn’t it time they worked more
closely with Office of Planning on comprehensive traffic management, rather than just
react separately to Canal Rd Entrance, Mt Vernon College, Lab School, Field School and now
GU/MedStar?
The names of the streets may change, but the kind of options listed above are
applicable for any large institution that dumps traffic on a city street. So far DPW
engineers appear only able to come up with options that involve pouring concrete curbs and
more paved surface, such as creation of left-turn lanes. So far we have not seen a single
proposal for use of synchronized traffic lights in any campus or private school plan. Are
NONE of the DPW staff trained in these technologies?
© Bob Andrew, Foxhall
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