by Stefanie Harrington and Joan Schaefer
Most people in Forest Hills likely know the traffic issues that neighbors on Albemarle and 30th Streets face, especially during morning and evening rush hour. The intersection of these streets is an especially dangerous spot, because the area is heavily foot trafficked, drivers have poor visibility, and it’s at the heart of cut-through traffic from people speeding in and out of the city.
A lot of young children in the neighborhood walk to and from school, people walk their dogs or walk to the metro and ride their bikes. Recently, a young mother on her bike was struck by a car turning from Albemarle onto 30th Street.
We’re trying to make this area of the neighborhood safer for everyone and have gathered signatures from each surrounding block of the intersection to submit to DDOT for a traffic calming study. The positive support for this study has been overwhelming. People have been hugging us, thanking us for starting this process and asking how they can help support this cause to make sure the neighborhood sees calmer and safer traffic. We know from talking to many neighbors that they’re also tired of the aggressive and fast drivers.
The petition has been submitted to DDOT, and now we’re waiting for DDOT to conduct its traffic study. ANC 3F and our neighbors have been wonderful in supporting this undertaking, and we’re hopeful for a positive outcome for our neighborhood.
What’s your view? Forest Hills Connection, a project of the Forest Hills Neighborhood Alliance, welcomes op-ed pieces about neighborhood issues. Contact us at info@foresthillsconnection.com for submission guidelines.