Crosswalk Scrubbed at Yuma; More Time to Cross at Albemarle

by Marlene Berlin

All the way back in November, when the Park Van Ness project closed the sidewalk along 4455 Connecticut, ANC 3F Commissioner Sally Gresham and I had a list of suggested safety improvements for pedestrians. One of those suggestions involved removing the crosswalk markings across Connecticut at Yuma Street.

We presented this list to Matthew Marcou, who oversees traffic safety plans at construction sites for DDOT.

Better late than never. Eight months later, we found workers scrubbing out the markings, as we’d requested.

Pedestrians still do cross there. But with one less invitation, hopefully, fewer will traverse the street.

Another of Commissioner Gresham’s suggestions has been implemented half a block to the north. Perhaps you’ve even noticed it. The sidewalk closure funnels more pedestrians through this crossing, and creates more conflicts with drivers trying to turn from Albemarle onto Connecticut. So DDOT has adjusted the signal to give pedestrians seven more seconds to cross Connecticut Avenue at Albemarle Street.

Gresham has also continued to press DDOT to install a crosswalk at the southern side of Windom at Connecticut, another intersection that is getting a lot of pedestrian action due to the construction site.