Take Action: Rhode Island Avenue Safety Improvements Needed

A few weeks ago I wrote about the need for improvements to the sidewalks along Rhode Island Avenue, as well as, the access to the Rhode Island Ave metro station. Greater Greater Washington followed up with a great article on the issue. Those of us that regularly ride the bus or metro out of that station know how dangerous it can be to get to get there. The sidewalks are narrow and close to the busy traffic and the staircase is steep and narrow with steps crumbling. With millions of dollars being invested in redeveloping the parking lot into new retail and apartments you would think that an upgrade to the outdated sidewalks and stairs would be a natural progression. However, it has not been included in the plans!!!

We can change this by letting DDOT Director Gabe Klein and our Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., know that we need these changes to happen now while the area is being redeveloped. I wrote CM Thomas and received a response that they would forward my concerns to the project team and I have not heard anything back since then. Everyone knows that there is power in numbers and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. I am asking everyone to spread the word about this issue.

The Coalition for Smarter Growth has begun a petition to DDOT Director Gabe Klein and Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas, Jr., that states the need we residents have to get these items fixed. Please sign the petition now and forward the link on to get as many people as possible to send the message that this is not an issue that we will let fade away!