A recent District inspection of downtown construction sites found that, in many cases, traffic control plans designed to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and drivers either weren’t being followed or were not up to par.
The reviews were launched at the behest of Terry Lynch, executive director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregation. Lynch had sent DDOT a sampling of 16 sites “that from a pedestrian viewpoint seem to create hazardous conditions,” he said, either due to a lack of signs explaining where to walk, narrower-than-needed pedestrian walkways or construction jetting into the roadway.
Of the 16 locations, 10 required safety modifications, according to DDOT results. One demanded a stop-work order and another got the contractor $750 worth of tickets. The check-up confirmed what Lynch suspected — that navigating construction zones can be a treacherous affair.
“It’s been a problem staring everyone in the face,” Lynch said. “It just took someone to speak up and do something about it. Both from the driver’s viewpoint and the pedestrian’s viewpoint, it’s standard.”
At 11th and F streets, for example, inspectors found inadequate signage and a pedestrian walkway blocked by machinery. The contractor was issued two tickets, for $500 and $250, and ordered to make repairs immediately.
At 14th and V streets in Shaw, inspectors determined the contractor had an expired traffic control plan and a stop-work order, which has since been lifted, was issued. At 15th and L streets, inspectors issued a warning for a lack of signs advising pedestrians of a detour.
Lynch said DDOT needs to expand its inspections throughout the District, “especially as construction has moved into the neighborhoods.”
“This type of review does happen citywide,” said Lars Etzkorn, DDOT deputy director. “[DDOT] has 30-plus inspectors who are out everyday looking at construction sites.”
DDOT’s traffic control plans are developed as construction applications are received by the department, Etzkorn said. The initial plans are based on national standards, he said, but given the “dynamic environment” and volume of construction activity, they often need to be changed once the cranes start flying.
More inspection results
» At 10 and F streets, the 3-foot-wide walkway was widened to 5 feet.
» On L Street between 16th and 17th, DDOT determined that a temporary walkway was needed.
» At 11th Street and New York Avenue, DDOT added signs to provide pedestrians clear direction to the walkway.
