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| Stone Bridge on G.W. Parkway at Alexandria Avenue |
Violent collisions occur on a regular basis. Cyclists and pedestrians risk their lives to get on the bike trail or catch the 11-Y bus. Many collisions are even fatal. You can read more about my thoughts about why this is happening here:
The Dixie Pig: Time to Speak Up to Fix the Parkway! (July 15, 2019)
The Dixie Pig: Thoughts on Changes to the George Washington Parkway (May 2, 2019)
Mt. Vernon Gazette: Parkway Problems Will Get Worse (May 24, 2017)
The Dixie Pig: Thoughts on Changes to the George Washington Parkway (May 2, 2019)
Mt. Vernon Gazette: Parkway Problems Will Get Worse (May 24, 2017)
Thanks to Congressman Don Beyer, the National Park Service is now taking official public comments on safety solutions for the George Washington Memorial Parkway from July 11 to August, 21, 2019.I have designed a survey that also includes areas for open ended comments to collect feedback from the Mt. Vernon Community. At the conclusion of the comment period, I will aggregate all of the comments and provide them to the National Park Service to ensure that your voice is heard.
You can find information regarding the study on the NPS official website here:
Please complete my survey and provide your comments below!
Here is the additional comment I added at the end of the survey:
ReplyDeleteEnforcement of no trucks/commercial vehicles (how defined???) is insufficient and these vehicles add to congestion problem. Conversely, I rarely see any such traffic on the GW Pkwy north of Alexandria to the Beltway terminus. Roads that connect to parkway do have signs stating "No Trucks or Commercial Vehicles In Park Area" but what does in "Park Area" mean? The signs should state none of these vehicles allowed on parkway if, in fact, that it what is meant. Moreover, there are more signs along parkway itself about no bikes on parkway than about trucks/commercial vehicles. The Alexandria Ave stone bridge (owned/maintained by NPS???) across the parkway continues to take numerous hits and is likely structurally weakened both due to this and heavy trucks traversing it despite the no trucks/commecial vehicle sign. Additional parkway signs along parkway approaching key intersections should direct trucks/commercial vehicles that are prohibited to exit immediately.
**Just to be clear, I don't think the bus traffic, both commuter and MV Estate-bound, should be banned. Perhaps, though, if it's not already the case, commercial bus/van operators must have some sort of authorization/permit to use the parkway or face same fine as unauthorized trucks/commercial vehicles.**
NO NO NO NO traffic lights on GW Parkway
ReplyDeleteCommuter HOV, not lights unless placed at bottleneck near Mt V circle
ReplyDeleteFor improved safety train the parkway users to move over to the right lane after passing. Post signs that say that the left lane is for passing only. No lights, no speed cameras, please .
ReplyDeletewould be nice if this was enforced anywhere, but until it is dont expect much to change. the 2 intersections on the parkway leading into belle haven as you come out of old town should have lights, at least flashing orange and then running during rush hour times
DeleteYet another politician trying to "change things" in order to be re-elected. Scum of the earth, the lot of you. Leave the Parkway alone and stop characterizing the motorway as unsafe in order to get your name and face in the spotlight.
ReplyDeleteI drive my husband to catch the 11Y every morning at the Tulane stop. I drive him across the parkway to the 3 parking slots on the other side so that he does not have to risk his life just getting to the bus in the morning. If we see other people trying to cross we ask them to hop in so we can ferry them across too.I fear I will see a pedestrian or biker get hit someday due to the crazy fast drivers. Drivers need to SLOW DOWN! During rush hour in the morning it looks as if people are driving 65 mph. I struggle to get out of the parking space I am in after I drop my husband off as drivers speed around the curve on the parkway. Pedestrians are not safe and there is a need to put something in place to protect them so they can safely catch their ride to work each day. Whether it is a light of some sort, a pedestrian bridge or a crosswalk, something needs to happen to ensure the safety of all involved. I do NOT want to see the buses removed from the parkway as I see a real need for them. I see a need for 2 things to happen: 1. People to be more responsible drivers;SLOW DOWN drive the POSTED speed limit! 2. Put emphasis on the safety of all trying to cross the parkway to either catch the bus, ride their bikes to work or simply enjoy the park. And to the anonymous person who referred to you as scum and mis-characterizing the need for safety on the parkway, please ignore them; they obviously have not seen people speeding down the parkway at rush hour putting themselves and other innocent individuals at risk. I see it EVERY weekday morning! Thank you for helping us all have a place to make our voice count to make a difference!
ReplyDeleteI suggest .. a warning system be put into place. It could be something such as some chimes that would only ring.. if a vehicle exceeded the height of the upcoming bridge. https://www.google.com/search?q=warning+system+for+overheight+vehicles+and+chimes&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS852US852&biw=1499&bih=662&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=8D8VQSLI8V836M%253A%252CDOel4z8soqk1gM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQyQ-EuEBZP1YMgI2-kldf0gFKL9Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6noKCz83jAhVDrVkKHZ75A2oQ9QEwEHoECAkQGw#imgrc=VTiIK4befnEkvM:&vet=1
ReplyDeleteI believe that implementing center line rumble strips along the length of the road, excluding turn lanes and areas with medians, would help to prevent accidents from cars crossing onto the other side of the road. It could be done on the full length of the road or at least sections notable for crashes. Covering the full length of the parkway could be achieved as a final step in the (possible) widening of the road.
ReplyDeleteThere should be a study on the accumulation of water on the parkway after a heavy rainstorm to identify where water pools up. This pooled up water slows down cars and is a hydroplaning hazard. This could be fixed with an adjustment to the slope of the road and surrounding terrain, plus adding simple drains or channels to pull the water off the road.
Finally, the stone bridge which Alexandria Avenue passes over has been a hazard for any large vehicle moving through the area (certainly those vehicles don't belong on the road, but the road should still be safe for them). Raising the bridge is unrealistic and costly, but lowering the surrounding road by 1-2 feet (perhaps 50 feet of road both north and south, along with under the bridge) would provide suitable clearance for any possible trucks which may pass through. That, or police could be directed to tell unsuitable vehicles to leave the parkway before they reach the stone bridge.
The parkway should remain as it was intended: a parkway. Turing it into just another commuter route with stop lights, etc. to accommodate the increased traffic occasioned by increased sprawl is not the answer. If people as speeding put more police on the road.
ReplyDeleteRather than immediately change the parkway, strongly recommend getting NPS to enforce the traffic laws currently in place or get where FCPD can assist them with it. Once speed, etc... are under control, then reassess because the accident rate will be lower. Speed kills, and we've all seen excessive speeds constantly on GW parkway. Enforcement is low hanging fruit to achieve more safe conditions.
ReplyDeleteTo: The National Park Service and Senator Scott Surovell
ReplyDeleteFrom: Katherine Tobin, Ph.D.
Date: August 10, 2019
Subject: Promoting Greater Safety on the George Washington
Memorial Parkway
I am a resident of Alexandria, living near River Farm and Mount Vernon, on the Potomac River side. I love this neighborhood and its history, its wildlife and access to walking trails. At the same time I shudder every time I hear sirens who are clearly responding to nearby accidents and I feel threatened at various intersections due to motorists not heeding speed limits.
Therefore, thank you to the National Park Service for doing an evaluation of the problems, and thank you Senator for your letter urging citizens to offer suggestions.
I’ve lived in many parts of our country, from Maine to New York to California and Nevada. In other locations I have seen much stronger traffic law enforcement, and here am at times surprised by the wanton disregard of both speeding laws and those texting or talking on the phone while driving.
I believe, the best way to prevent the accidents and deaths along the Parkway between Old Town and Mount Vernon is simply, steady and consistent law enforcement. The speed limits are posted, but that does no good when people are going 60 mph instead of 35 or 45 mph. Deploy Park Police at all hours of the day, not just rush hours, but especially so during the commute times. Stop and ticket people. Or, if there is a way to position cameras on the bridges to image license plates, send traffic fine letters. Punish people who break the law, but not just with tickets but by delaying them from whatever goal to which they are rushing.
There’s no need at all to stop buses, nor to create traffic lights. Rumble streets on the pavement may help some along the center line. But that won’t matter if people are speeding. The speeding problem occurs both ways and isn’t simply a factor of commuter traffic into DC or to Ft. Belvoir. People speed mid-day and are equally lax in paying attention to others who are driving.
I urge you to act now before more people, some of them totally innocent, are injured or killed.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Katherine C. Tobin, Ph.D.