Fix the Ten Dangerous Intersections
Over the past decade, the District has repeatedly studied the Mount Vernon area's abysmal traffic situation. Each of the three studies found that the neighborhood has several of the most dangerous intersections in the city. Yet, proposed improvements remain unimplemented leaving pedestrians and drivers at serious risk of injury.
The Junctions
MVSNA highlights 6 well known death traps, describes the problem, and proposes solutions that the District can implement quickly and at low cost.
- At New York Avenue and 4th Street, 1 of the 50 most dangerous intersections in the city, pedestrians must cross 6 lanes of traffic in 9 seconds due to the closure of the sidewalk to pedestrian traffic for construction of a new condominium. MVSNA recommends providing at least 30 seconds to cross, restoring pedestrian access to New York Avenue, and using covered pedestrian walkways to avoid such situations in the future.
- Cars turning from Massachusetts Avenue onto 9th Street at the Convention Center routinely do not yield to pedestrians. MVSNA recommends more clearly marked lanes with white arrows, more prominent crosswalks, targeted enforcement, and possibly changing 9th Street from a 1-way to 2-way street.
- Cars traveling eastbound on New York Avenue get stuck on island if they attempt to turn left onto 5th Street, leaving them in the intersection or forcing them to run the red light. MVSNA recommends installing a green left turn arrow on the signal, and "bumping out" corners of 5th Street at L Street to slow down drivers.
- Drivers routinely run the stop sign at 4th and M Streets, a feeder for commuters to reach the I-395 tunnel. Since January of 2007, MPD has written over 900 tickets at this intersection for failure to obey the stop sign. MSVSNA recommends raised crosswalks on both sides of this intersection.
- Drivers routinely go the wrong way on the 1200 Block of 4th Street to reach the I-395 Tunnel. MVSNA recommends installation of more visible signage and considering installing a raised crosswalk across the 1200 Block of 4th Street at Ridge Street, and encouraging use of other routes to I-395.
- The signal for southbound traffic at 3rd and M Streets NW is red for 70 seconds, causing traffic backups that encourage panhandlers and vendors and leading to noise, crime, harassment, and trash issues. MVSNA recommends shortening the red light, and expediting plans to make New Jersey Avenue a two-way street and to close the 3rd and M Street intersection for park space.
MVSNA also suggests 4 other vital safety improvements.
- More conspicuous crosswalks and a countdown signal to protect pedestrians at Massachusetts Avenue and 5th Street.
- Addition of speed humps, pedestrian crosswalks, and a stop sign to stop speeding and protect children on the 100-200 Block of N Street.
- A green left turn arrow allowing traffic to more easily turn from 6th Street onto New York Avenue, which would discourage travel through residential streets by those driving to the I-395 Tunnel.
- Repainting pedestrian crosswalks, adding signage to not to "block the box," and providing additional traffic enforcement at 1st Street and New York Avenue to protect schoolchildren and bus commuters at what was once one of the most 50 dangerous intersections in the city.
The Solution
MVSNA urges the District to implement these solutions within 6 to 12 months while continuing to move forward on long term plans to improve the area's infrastructure.