{"id":11699,"date":"2021-11-09T13:30:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T18:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thewash.org\/?p=11699"},"modified":"2021-11-09T13:30:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T18:30:39","slug":"eckington-north-capitol-residents-fight-for-safer-streets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thewash.org\/2021\/11\/09\/eckington-north-capitol-residents-fight-for-safer-streets\/","title":{"rendered":"Eckington, North Capitol residents fight for safer streets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emily Thomas, like many of her neighbors, walks her kids to school each day along Lincoln Road Northeast in Eckington.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what should be a pleasant \u2014\u00a0and safe \u2014 walk to school often leaves her feeling anxious all because of dangerous intersections and speeding cars along the residential road.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mile-long stretch is dotted with five schools and a host of playgrounds and recreation centers. Thomas and some of her neighbors have complained about the stretch of road for years. But after so much inaction \u2014\u00a0from city agencies, countless studies and slow-moving bureaucracy \u2014 they\u2019ve decided to take action on their own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWith the recent tragedies around the city with young children being struck by vehicles, the urgency has become so much more apparent and we’ve really stepped up our efforts,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last month, Thomas and other Eckington residents banded together to form <\/span>The Lincoln Road NE Pedestrian Safety Project <\/span><\/a>to improve safety in the area. The safety project aims to make Lincoln a less dangerous thoroughfare by creating cost-effective solutions. Thomas said implementing all-way stops and raised crosswalks would alleviate some of the danger for pedestrians. Though Lincoln is the project\u2019s main priority, Thomas said fixing <\/span>intersections along North Capitol Street <\/span><\/a>is also necessary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lincoln residents say road safety has been an issue for a long time\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Pedestrian accidents aren\u2019t new along Lincoln.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Vision Zero data<\/span><\/a>, there have been seven car crashes on the road since January. One of the crashes included a pedestrian just last month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas said at a recent community meeting, one neighbor said her mother was struck by a car on Lincoln years ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaking our streets safer for all of us while we walk around and enjoy the city just makes good sense to everyone,\u201d Thomas said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Proponents of the new project say excessive speeding, blind spots and inconsistent traffic patterns in major intersections are the main issues. Last week, the project sent over 90 individual requests to DDOT and ANC 5E members for raised crosswalks, all-way stop signs and other safety measures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas said many drivers use Lincoln Road NE as a shortcut to avoid the intersection of North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue. She said Lincoln\u2019s wide roadway design allows cars to speed through neighborhoods, putting pedestrians at risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Lincoln Road NE breaks off of North Capitol, allowing drivers to use the thoroughfare as a shortcut to avoid the intersection of North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAnd while most of us are mainly pedestrians, we are drivers too. We want drivers to be safe and we want to be safe while we are driving our families around our neighborhoods too,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
The Harry Thomas Recreation Center on Lincoln Road attracts the whole community. The rec center has a pool, tennis and basketball courts, and a playground that families frequent after school. (Shelby Fishman\/最新蜜桃影像)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over 1,800 students commute to the schools on and adjacent to Lincoln each day. When kids are in the area, the speed limit on Lincoln is 15 mph. But the project hosted a community walkthrough last week, and cars were clocked going well over the speed limit, even with kids around.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

30 mph on Lincoln rd. In theory it\u2019s posted for 15 mph when kids are present (and they were). pic.twitter.com\/rWRf5zHM9S<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fix Dave Thomas Circle (@FixCircle) November 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n