An opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns about the proposed changes will be provided June 3 at a forum sponsored by the Adams Morgan Advisory Neighborhood Commission. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the First Church of Christ Science, one block east of 18th Street and Columbia Road. Representatives from DDOT are expected to attend.

"The more community input, the better the product will be," said ANC Commissioner Nicholas Apostalides.

In a neighborhood famous for its restaurants, bars and nightlife, heavy pedestrian flow and traffic congestion can be a dangerous mix.

According to Rashid Sleemi, chief of DDOT’s Traffic Safety Division, 58 accidents were reported at the intersection of 18th and Columbia between 2000 and 2002, six of which involved pedestrians. During the same time span, seven accidents occurred at the nearby intersection of Lanier Place, Adams Mill Road and Calvert Street. Although none of the accidents has been fatal, Sleemi noted that 65 in three years is an extremely high quantity.

The Federal Highway Administration began designing a plan a year ago that aims to decrease traffic congestion and pedestrian fatalities in the area. Although not finalized, the plan currently calls for enlarging the traffic island at the 18th and Columbia intersection, decreasing the dead space around the island and eliminating illegal parking. The island at the intersection of Calvert, Adams Mill and Lanier would be cut back. Both of these changes, while seemingly minor, would significantly alter the pattern of traffic between these two intersections, officials said. City officials were reluctant to discuss further details of the plan until the upcoming community meeting.

Opinions expressed so far about the plan have been mixed, especially due to the Federal Highway Administration’s reliance on statistical analysis to draw up the original plan. Some community members have voiced their concern that statistics are not the only way on which to base probable solutions for this dilemma, and that neighborhood residents’ opinions should be taken more heavily into account.

Most Advisory Neighborhood Commission members contacted for this story said they foresee problems, such as congested intersections and less parking availability, if DDOT’s plan is carried out unchanged.

"It’s not that we all don’t agree," said ANC Commissioner Mindy Moretti. "Although safety is their main concern, DDOT’s plans doesn’t seem to be the way to do it."

Another point of dispute, is that in addition to the two traffic islands, DDOT announced it will extend construction from 18th street to U street. ANC Commissioner Bryan Weaver expressed concern that expanding the site is only delaying the urgency for improving these two intersections.

"DDOT only unveiled their new ideas after the fourth meeting with the Advisory Neighborhood Commission, without previous warning to do so," Weaver said.

He also noted that such a huge construction project could significantly disrupt normal routines for residents and businesses in the area, who would be the first to feel the effects of scaffolding, torn-up sidewalks and extensive construction.

Weaver and others also criticized DDOT officials for going to the drawing board before the community’s voices were heard.

"I think their heart is in the right place with improving pedestrian safety and traffic flow, but I think they would want community involvement first, particularly since these are the most traveled intersections in D.C.," Weaver said.

Sherry Schwechten of the D.C. Commission for Arts and Humanities holds a more positive outlook on how the traffic plans will affect her ties to the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Before the plans were initiated, funds were allocated to install a public sculpture at 18th and Columbia. Currently, the public art project is stalled until decisions are made about traffic island changes.

Yet, Schwechten said she is eager to take advantage of future opportunities which may not have been previously available, such as integrating the artwork with the city’s new design or sharing materials with the Department of Public Works, if the budget permits. Furthermore, beginning the artwork after road construction is completed will not jeopardize the art project by any future plans made to alter city roads.

The lack of a definite timeline apparently doesn’t concern Schwechten.

"I feel that the community has had lots of input in the new plans, and I’m happy that the arts commission and DDOT are working together on this project," she said.

Construction is not expected to begin in Adams Morgan before 2005, officials said.

Copyright 2003, The Common Denominator