Conn. Ave reversible lane study one of ANC 3F committee’s 2020 priorities

by Marlene Berlin

Since 2016, ANC 3F has had a committee focused on street and sidewalk safety. Its main and ongoing mission is to assess and address the state of streets and sidewalks throughout this part of DC. The new year is expected to bring additional priorities.

ANC 3F Streets and Sidewalks Committee members – commissioners and residents – hold their first meeting of 2020 on Wednesday, January 15th at 7 p.m. in the lobby of Van Ness North, at 3001 Veazey Terrace NW.

The committee undertook a major streets and sidewalks assessment in 2017, asking volunteers to help survey and assess the problem areas in ANC 3F. Volunteers were assigned streets and blocks and were instructed to note issues including damaged and missing sidewalks, street surfaces in need of repair, stormwater management, traffic flow and street signs, and pedestrian safety.

Once the data collection was complete, the committee organized, prioritized, and weeded out the duplicates. By the end of 2017, committee chair Bob Deyling submitted about 250 requests through the DC 311 system, including 78 roadway repairs, 125 sidewalk issues, and 33 signage issues. In his latest follow-up report to ANC 3F, Deyling says most of the items have been addressed but 40 are still listed as “open” in the 311 system.

Following up on those requests is one of the 2020 priorities Deyling listed in an email, but what gets top billing is the DDOT study of Connecticut Avenue’s reversible lanes. Deyling also suggests tackling missing sidewalks in ANC 3F and enforcement issues.

The public is welcome at the January 15th meeting, and the committee is welcoming new members. If you are interested in joining the committee or simply attending the meeting, please contact Bob Deyling at [email protected].