Stop sign on Newton and 12th Street
Brookland residents and frequent pedestrians had long had problems with traffic throughout the neighborhood including drivers speeding, running red lights, and not stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks. Residents have once again become very concerned about the intersection of 12th and Newton which besides being a very busy pedestrian gateway to the 12th Street business district is also one of the walking arteries to and from the metro. Not only is this a pedestrian heavy route , most motorists fly down 12th street at least 35-40 miles per hour often completly ignoring any folks waiting to cross 12th Street.
A few of the other infamous streets in Brookland that consistently have speeders, traffic problems, and accidents are Michigan, Monroe, and Franklin Streets. These arteries are often used by Maryland commuters driving into the city while not realizing that they are driving through residential neighborhoods.
Car Failing to Stop for Pedestrian
The intersection of 12th and Newton often has very young students and families with strollers trying to across against traffic while waiting for cars to stop, which they are legally required to do for pedestrians in a crosswalk. Pedestrians are taking their life in their hands hoping a speeding car will stop, that is if the motorist even sees them.
Newton Crosswalk
This is not a new problem. This intersection has a notorious history of accidents including one story of a former Brookland resident who was struck and severely injured and never fully recovered from the crash. Even this past incident didn’t help to institute other traffic calming efforts on12th Street.
Sure the we got the 12th Street streetscape that didn’t underground the power lines as residents wanted and we got some large bumpouts, but what about intersections like 12th and Newton that really need an all way stop.
Speed Limit 25
An additional problem with the 12th and Newton Intersection is that the crosswalk sign is obscured by an overgrown tree while traveling north on 12th Street. Cyclists and motorists cannot see these signs and this is contributing to folks not stopping for pedestrians and creating a potentially dangerous for all the car+person=near accident situations.
Tree blocking Crosswalk and Speed Limit Sign
Below is a photo of the view that most motorists see, which is an overgrown tree blocking the crosswalk and speed limit signs, making it a more dangerous intersection than its needs to be. This tree needs to be trimmed so it does not obstruct the view of motorists traveling north on 12th Street.
Crosswalk and Speed Limit Signs Completely Obstructed by Tree
There is one stop sign on Newton Street for this intersection, but none on 12th Street proper where cars speed daily. Residents are lobbying DDOT to make this intersection a 3 way stop ( Newton between 10th and 12th street is one way). It is my understanding that DDOT has previously done a traffic study a few years ago, but I do not know what came out of it, whether or not a stop sign was called for by the previous traffic study has not been communicated to nearby residents. Nearby Brookland residents are starting a new petition to get the much needed stop signs added to 12th and Newton which would make it much safer intersection for pedestrians and motorists than it is currently is today.
Lolly, a resident on Newton Street that has been working to get an all way stop on 12th and Newton has posted a number of her thoughts and the challenges with folks at DDOT while trying to get some answers about the lack of a stop sign at 12th Newton Streets NE.
Hopefully we can get the obstructing trees trimmed and get an all way stop at this intersection.
Map of the 12th and Newton Intersection
Loading ...
