Grant Circle car crashes

[from Wayan V.]

Comments

[Joseph Martin]

Yesterday, a new electric power box was installed in Grant Circle. Today I spoke to Pepco rep, Linda Jo Smith, and asked for power to be restored to the lights inside the Circle as soon as possible.

Joseph Martin
Executive Office of the Mayor
Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS)
Outreach and Services Specialist - Ward 4
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Ste 211
Washington, DC 20004-3003
202-442-9509 desk
202-442-8150 main
202-340-7853 mobile

[Joseph Martin]

I asked DDOT to look into refelective signage. DDOT does have some right of access on this federal land at the perimeter of the Circle for signage purposes.

The National Park Service looked into the possibility of burying the electrical box but that proved to be not feasible. I am not sure why.

I will persist and try my creative best with all of the above.

The median islands and bulb outs slated for NH Avenue below Grant Circle should help with traffic-calming. Work is to resume on those this spring, I understand.

JM

[Bill C.]

Thanks Joe. Maybe Mr. Kirk could provide some feedback about why NPS can't at least put up some extra reflective signage or something?

[Joseph Martin]

Donald Kirk of the National Park Servicw today told me today that a new electrical box -- to deplace the accident-damaged one -- should be arriving in the next week.

Once the new electrical box is in place, Pepco will be responsible for connecting it, providing us with working lights inside Grant Circle again.

I am pushing to have the work completed soon.

Joe Martin
Mayor's Office of Community Relations & Services / Ward 4
202-442-9509
[email protected]

[Bill C.]

Well, I just think it's on DDOT to figure something out. It's their job.

[Wayan]

I don't think anything in Grant Circle itself will stop cars from missing the right turn. By the time they would see the signage, drivers going too fast would already be far too committed to stop.

What we need is a way to slow them down before then. Maybe rumble strips back by the flashing light warning of the circle ahead, and a bit larger flashing light - do you even see it most nights?

Personally, I'd love to see speed humps (not bumps) a block before the circle as to slow cars down enough to be able to make the right. It would also make walking into the circle much safer/easier.

I've heard this is a no-go with DDOT.

[Matt]

The same thing happens to your northern neighbors up Illinois Ave at Sherman Circle. There are usually 3 or 4 a year that are big enough that I see huge ruts (or entire bumpers remaining) afterward.

[Mark]

I think we need jump ramps so perhaps the very fast cars can jump the tree and keep going up or down New Hampshire Avenue Evil Kineval style.

Seriously, I moved into the neighborhood a bit over a year ago. I live right off the cirle and couldn't believe people really ran into it. Still have a tendency to smirk when the issue is raised. Am thankful people aren't seriously hurt.

The idea of "bubbles" or little islands at the entrance to the circle would be, I believe, effective. Would steer the traffic around. And those not inclined would scrape the bottom of their car before the circle.

Fun neighborhood...

[Casey]

Bill, Living on the corner of the circle and varnum I have a front row seat to every crash. I have asked the park police time and time again why cant something be done. I have also asked Mr. Anthony of our ANC why something cant be done(for the past 3 years). The park police tell me that they would rather have people jumping the curb and tearing up the grass and bushes than have a barrier up and them having to work a fatality. One would think that something could be done by someone. As long as the lights are out then my guess is the cars can keep piling up in the "Grant Circle Junk Yard".

[Not Oscar]

When we first moved to Petworth, my wife and I were walking in the circle and I said, "I hear people driving down NH Ave sometimes plow into the circle." My wife thought I was pulling her leg and just as she was about to call BS, BAM! a car plowed into the circle.

[Markus]

Not to mention the fact that one of the recent crashes knocked all the power out in the circle, so now it's not exactly a good idea to walk your dog around the circle at night.

[Bill C.]

I'd sure as hell like an answer as to why the Park Service hasn't put some kind of barrier and/or reflective signage etc. I mean, there have been tons of these incidents. It's amazing no one's been killed.

Seriously, if/when someone is killed or injured by an errant car in Grant Circle, I will be first in line to join the litigation brigade against the National Park Service for negligence.