DDOT Tries to Clear Up Some Wisconsin Avenue Confusion

The District Department of Transportation is trying to communicate information about the Glover Park Streetscape and the accompanying construction at 37th Street and Tunlaw Road, but for the Advisory Neighborhood Commission that communication comes too late.

"In my view the whole construction detour business was managed extremely badly with no concern for safety or traffic flow issues.  But it is either over or almost over," commissioner Jackie Blumenthal wrote in an email to Patch about the DDOT information. 

"It was the inconsistency that really drove people crazy," Commissioner Brian Cohen wrote in an email to Patch. "People never knew what to expect, and were not able to adjust to the changes."

Still they were both glad the project happened and is near completion.

"We are glad that DDOT took on the project, and glad that it is almost done," Cohen added.

Below is the unedited, FAQ provided by DDOT to Patch via email:

DC appears to be encouraging cut-through traffic on Manor Place and Observatory Place. Stationing a TCO (Traffic Control Officer) at 37th and Manor and directing traffic up the street. Is this expected?

DDOT continues to work closely with WMATA to keep busses on routes during working hours. WMATA has informed their Drivers to stay on the prescribed routes. Traffic Control Officers (TCO’s) have been requested to allow local traffic to proceed Northbound on 37th Street and direct non-local traffic to the Wisconsin Avenue detour.  Local Glover Park traffic can be expected to use Manor Place, etc.

Traffic cut-through traffic continue at very high speeds. This is an area with many, many small children.  Is there anyway the city could install temporary speed humps to at least slow down traffic?  How else can we slow down the traffic now diverted through our part of the neighborhood? 

DDOT construction is scheduled to be completed by July 27th, weather permitting.  Given the timing, multiple narrow side streets, and process to install temporary traffic calming (speed humps) the situation is expected to dissipate before action can be taken.  DDOT is also requesting MPD to monitor the area for speeders and to enforce the doubling of fines in “Work Zones”.

METRO Buses continue to go off designated roadways, including down W or Observatory Place. According to the DCMATA site, buses are supposed to remain on Wisconsin Avenue.  What is supposed to happen with the buses?  How can we work to instill some sort of consistency with the buses?  How can we communicate this to residents and to bus drivers?

While DDOT has tried to keep the work zone enforced with TCO’s for the work day, recent heat advisories have caused some staff to be recalled, or have their schedules adjusted.  We regret that some buses have not had the benefit of TCO direction.  However, WMATA has informed their Drivers to stay on the prescribed routes.

Many residents of Glover Park who are impacted by the cut-through traffic is genuinely concerned that the new traffic pattern will permanently force more traffic through our part of the neighborhood. Is this the expected outcome?  How is the new traffic pattern expected to impact traffic heading north up 37?

DDOT anticipates that the new traffic pattern will be very similar to the existing pattern with improvement by reducing conflicts, clarification of who has the right of way, safer pedestrian crossings, and increased storm water quantity and quality capacity.

When is the construction expected to be finished?

The construction was scheduled to be completed by July 27th, weather permitting.  During this period you can expect that motorists will go through an adjust to the new changes within the first 30-40 days. After that period we will have a better idea of the effect of the changes.