Extra caution at Key Bridge on-ramp to Whitehurst Freeway

[brendan]

As we know, that path/sidewalk crossing is particularly dangerous for several reasons: cars treat Key Bridge as a small highway connecting two slower street areas so there’s a lot of speed that the DC-bound cars turning right have to shed before they can turn on to the whitehurst on-ramp; the cars are often and unfortunately not expecting to encounter faster moving bikes or joggers (leading to potential right hooks); the partial blocking of the DC side of the path crossing with traffic barrels making the effective cyclist/pedestrian crossing/bail-out space very narrow; and the standard caution of interacting with pedestrians in this space.

So, you always have to scan and rescan in a nearly 360 fashion heading northeast.

But you also have to scan and rescan in a nearly 360 degree fashion heading southwest.

Why? I’ve twice now encountered cars enter the bridge on the DC side, stop in the left lane, wait for oncoming car traffic to clear and *make a left* onto the Whitehurst Freeway on-ramp.

Keep your eyes open folks.

Coming out of DC, I usually avoid the problem b taking the northwest side of the bridge. But it’s still a problem if your not expecting it when crossing the on-ramp heading into DC.

Brendan

Topic

[eminva]

@brendan 4370 wrote:

the partial blocking of the DC side of the path crossing with traffic barrels making the effective cyclist/pedestrian crossing/bail-out space very narrow

Does anyone know why those barrels are there? What potential automotive disaster are they trying to prevent? I’m not aware of any accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists at that intersection, but the barrels, in my view, infinitely increase the risk by narrowing foot and cycle traffic to a very narrow passage (at a place where we have to be alert to cars flying at us). Plus, they are unsightly because people throw trash on them.

Does anyone know what jursidiction to contact about that? Thanks.

Liz

[Tim Kelley]

@eminva 4568 wrote:

Does anyone know what jursidiction to contact about that?

That would be DDOT http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/ (202-673-6836)

[CCrew]

@eminva 4568 wrote:

Does anyone know why those barrels are there? What potential automotive disaster are they trying to prevent?

They’re trying to prevent vehicles from turning onto the extra wide pedestrian sidewalk. And I’m sure someone’s done it….

[eminva]

@CCrew 4574 wrote:

They’re trying to prevent vehicles from turning onto the extra wide pedestrian sidewalk. And I’m sure someone’s done it….

Well, but there’s a big concrete pillar in the center of the sidewalk (just like on the other side of Whitehurst entrance) — the barrels are in addition to that and filling in the gap (and then some) between the center pillar and the edge of the bridge. I would think the pillar in the center by itself would prevent an auto from getting on the sidewalk.

I’m going to take a picture of it on Wednesday morning and sent it to DDOT with my comments/suggestions. Thanks for that contact, Tim.

Liz

[DaveK]

@eminva 4576 wrote:

Well, but there’s a big concrete pillar in the center of the sidewalk (just like on the other side of Whitehurst entrance) — the barrels are in addition to that and filling in the gap (and then some) between the center pillar and the edge of the bridge. I would think the pillar in the center by itself would prevent an auto from getting on the sidewalk.

I’m going to take a picture of it on Wednesday morning and sent it to DDOT with my comments/suggestions. Thanks for that contact, Tim.

Liz

Personal experience – DDOT is a lot more responsive to Twitter than e-mail. I’ve e-mailed them a few times and never gotten a response, but their Twitter feed is always active and responding to other users. I’m still not getting on Twitter though.

[CCrew]

@eminva 4576 wrote:

Well, but there’s a big concrete pillar in the center of the sidewalk

Yes, but you have to have more understanding of car drivers.. that barrel is a CUSHION for when they hit that concrete pillar

[txgoonie]

@brendan 4370 wrote:

Why? I’ve twice now encountered cars enter the bridge on the DC side, stop in the left lane, wait for oncoming car traffic to clear and *make a left* onto the Whitehurst Freeway on-ramp.

Ugh, really? Thanks for the warning, Brendan. Like I’m not twitchy enough there already.

[eminva]

@CCrew 4586 wrote:

Yes, but you have to have more understanding of car drivers.. that barrel is a CUSHION for when they hit that concrete pillar

I was afraid that was the answer . . .

[Author]

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