Columbia Pike @ Washington Blvd Crosswalks

[Starduster]

After my wife saw *another* pedestrian hit on Columbia Pike at the Washington Blvd Bridge offramps (on May 31- we have seen nothing in the media about it), it is time to do something.

It is time for Guerilla Signage.

We need more signage at the offramps from Washington Blvd that drop motor vehicles onto the Pike on the north side, where we have had numerous car vs bike and/or pedestrian collisions. I have observed that the north side sidewalk is seeing a lot of 2-way bicycle traffic. I cannot blame them- taking the lane on that quick downhill stretch has a high level of risk. But the crosswalks at the 2 exit ramps onto the Pike are not safe. Motorists are taking advantage of being able to turn on red and likely are *not* looking for pedestrian or faster bike traffic, especially from the right. It does not matter if you have the walk light. You are at risk. Period. Short of demanding No Turn On Red designation here, we may need to shame Arlington County into action. So… Guerilla Signage (a little like we did during the PAL Ambassador days).

Behold my suggestions for signs: [ATTACH=CONFIG]20153[/ATTACH]

The signs mimic standard road signage, by design. *Both* north side offramps *need* these signs ahead of the Stop sign, drivers’ right.

I do not have the resources to produce these, but someone out there does. You have my permission to take this proposal and run with it.

GO.

Topic

[Starduster]

@Judd 191681 wrote:

My suspicion is that the response will be that the intersection and signaling is operated by VDOT. During previous discussions about this intersection at BAC meetings, the response seemed to be that Arlington was powerless in the face of VDOT control.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

WHO is in charge of WHAT on the Pike?

I will raise the ante further- in light of all this, *and* further issues west on the Pike, including *another* pedestrian fatality, this time at Four Mile Run, I will call for a reduction of the speed limit on Columbia Pike through Arlington to 25 mph. Here’s why- the right of way width was locked in place long ago, first by older buildings in the central section between George Mason and Courthouse Rd, then by all the new construction, built to the street. The rise of these mixed use buildings means more residents, higher density, more pedestrian and bike traffic in a limited space, all added to this major auto/bus commuter route.

If they say, “it can’t be done”, offer them East and West Broad St, Falls Church. Where Falls Church has made 25 work on a four lane street for decades now, ever since the Falls Church Police ran Volvo 244’s provided by Don Beyer.

[lordofthemark]

@Starduster 191689 wrote:

WHO is in charge of WHAT on the Pike?

I will raise the ante further- in light of all this, *and* further issues west on the Pike, including *another* pedestrian fatality, this time at Four Mile Run, I will call for a reduction of the speed limit on Columbia Pike through Arlington to 25 mph. Here’s why- the right of way width was locked in place long ago, first by older buildings in the central section between George Mason and Courthouse Rd, then by all the new construction, built to the street. The rise of these mixed use buildings means more residents, higher density, more pedestrian and bike traffic in a limited space, all added to this major auto/bus commuter route.

If they say, “it can’t be done”, offer them East and West Broad St, Falls Church. Where Falls Church has made 25 work on a four lane street for decades now, ever since the Falls Church Police ran Volvo 244’s provided by Don Beyer.

When we ask for a road diet on Seminary, the Nimbys say you can lower speeds with enforcement only because Falls Church. Falls Church is a low crime jurisdiction with essentially one main street (which the police need to be on to get anywhere anyway). Seminary is not the same, and I imagine Col Pike isn’t either. Might still be a benefit to lowering the speed limit, but not nearly as much without changes to the road.

[mstone]

@lordofthemark 191693 wrote:

without changes to the road.

I need my “make it so” meme!

[Author]

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