[Mintwood-place] Re: Transport and livability study

Thu Sep 8 15:35:08 GMT 2005

MessageWhen Eddie Becker first posted a notice about the Adams Morgan
traffic study, he asked me, as a member of the steering committee, to answer
questions that were raised by members of the list-serve. Since then, Alan
Brick-Turin of  HNTB, the contractor conducting the study has been added to
the list, and I believe Mr. Nwadeke of DDOT is also on the list, or monitors
it. I have read their comments and answers to questions with interest, and
chose Adam's "two cents" about bus stops as a good place to jump in with a
few points on the day of the public meeting where all the proposals and
recommendations will be unveiled.
This is not meant to belittle any person's viewpoint. Members of the
Steering committee for the study were charged with making balanced
recommendations and comments to HNTB and DDOT. The proposal to reduce the
number of bus stops will have little effect other than to make public
transportation less accessible, and therefore less attractive to residents
who are current or potential riders. Please remember that we have neighbors
who are older, or disabled, and that it would be a hardship for them to walk
further to or from bus stops. Reductions in the number of bus stops in Adams
Morgan may theoretically appear to mean faster travel. But, the bus (Mt.
Pleasant/Metro Center) moves through many other neighborhoods that are not
part of this study, so if the changes were put in place for Adams Morgan,
it's highly unlikely that the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood and the Dupont
Circle neighborhood and busy downtown areas will also feel that fewer stops
equal better service.
Also, with regard to Columbia Road between Belmont and Connecticut, one of
the study's options was to plant a median strip with trees. If this is still
part of the proposal, it would eliminate the important turn lanes, slowing
all traffic, including busses. Mature trees in the middle of a busy urban
street would also possibly obscure views of oncoming traffic and crossing
pedestrians (including children) moving to and from Kalorama Park.
Another point was raised that closing Kalorama Road between Columbia  Road
and 19th Street would enable the re-completion of the "Kalorama Triangle" to
occur, with reference to an estate that existed in the 1850's. Well, much
has happened since that time. A densely populated area is built all around
Kalorama Park that needs its full street grid kept open so that all forms of
traffic, including city services, deliveries, etc. may move freely around
the neighborhood. The name Kalorama Triangle comes not from the shape of
Kalorama Park, but describes the Historic District bounded by Columbia Road,
Connecticut Avenue, and CalvertStreet/Adams Mill.
All this discussion just underlines the need to visit the study website:
http://www.18amstudy.com and come to the public meeting tonight (6-8:00 pm,
Church of Christ Scientist, enter through gate on Champlain, south of
Euclid) to learn more about the proposals.

 -----Original Message-----
From: mintwood-place-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org
[mailto:mintwood-place-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org]On Behalf Of Adam
Eidinger
Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2005 11:18 AM
To: David Wild
Cc: mintwood-place at lists.mutualaid.org
Subject: Re: [Mintwood-place] Re: Transport and livability study

  On the bus stops.

  I have to agree with David here.  Fewer stops means faster trips = better
fuel efficiency.  Often I have to wait at least 5 to 15 minutes to catch the
bus anyway, so walking another block or two to catch a bus as a substitute
for standing for five minutes is not much of sacrifice.

  I do think we might need expanded bus stop shelters however as I bet there
would be large crowds in our neighborhood in the mornings.

  On surface of it I have to oppose the idea of putting parking under
Kalorama park.  Besides the likely risk of killing more trees in the park
during construction, the increased availability of parking means more cars
in general on our roads, and more traffic, pollution, and noise.   Plus it
will discourage the use of public transport.

  My 2 cents,

  Adam Eidinger
  1858 Mintwood #4

  David Wild wrote:
    Regarding the bus stops:

    I don't own a car and take Metrobuses regularly.  One of the frustrating
things about taking the bus is that it takes so long to get across town
because the bus winds up stopping every block or two.  If you eliminated
half the bus stops, some people would have to walk a block or two farther,
but taking the bus would be a much faster way to get somewhere and would
therefore be more, not less, attractive to people.  While I would naturally
prefer that the stops closest to Mintwood not be the ones eliminated, I am
generally in favor of a plan to reduce the number of stops and would accept
the elimination of our stops as a small price to pay for improved service.

    Dave Wild
    1829 Mintwood
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