Recently, I submitted a request to DDOT and to Metropolitan Police Department to address the traffic back ups and violations at the intersection of First ST NW and New York Avenue during peak traffic hours. This specific intersection presents a challenge for those of us that live in the neighborhood. The inbound NY Avenue Traffic in the morning blocks the intersection preventing First ST traffic to cross when the light changes. People make illegal right turns from the right lane. Pedestrians cannot safely cross this intersection. Along with my request, I submitted photos showing the back ups and the pedestrian and children attempting to cross.
I was nicely surprised when there was a police officer directing traffic at then intersection during the morning of Tuesday, April 13. I sent a thank you note to Commander Greene at MPD for making the officer available. I was extremely disappointed when Commander Greene responded that this was only a periodic resolution not a permanent one.
If you as a resident of this community don’t agree with Commander Greene’s response and would like to see a permanent solution to this problem, I urge to contact Commander Greene, Council Member Thomas and Mr. Macou at DDOT demanding this matter be resolved. Here is the information for these individuals that can provide a solution:
Council Member Thomas: HThomas@dccouncil.us
Council Member’s Liaison for our Area: VLeonard@dccouncil.us
Commander Greene: lamar.greene@dc.gov
Mr. Matthew Marcou at DDOT: matthew.marcou@dc.gov
Bates Area Civic Association 
That intersection and NY and New Jersey are both very bad during rush hour. CM Thomas is not very helpful. His liaison is very nice, but the office hasn’t been great in getting much done. I hope something can be done.
Emil – I agree. I figure being an election year we may acutally get at least support. I have more faith in DDOT or MPD.
When I first moved here, I submitted a suggestion to both DC and Alexandria DDOTs to synchronize traffic signals during rush hour, which was successfully implemented in Los Angeles downtown, so that cars don’t take 3 light changes to get through intersections. Alexandria never responded, DC DDOT responded by saying that it would promote speeding. Speeding? From 20 ft per minute to maybe 5-10 mph? Seems to me they just don’t want to do their job.
DC should enforce its laws against blocking the box. But ultimately, there are too many cars on the road, 95% of them with only one person inside during rush hour. People should use public transit more, but the fact that Metro is in serious decline does not help things (and neither does underfunding Metro, as DC, MD and VA are doing).
I would like to challenge anyone to stand along New York avenue between North Capital and 1st NW for 30 minutes during rush hour and then try to say no additional public safety actions are needed. Every morning and every evening I see heart wrenching near misses of children in this section. This morning I watched a woman with a child in her arms and two children under the age of 8 by her side, all standing on the double yellow lines in the center of New York waiting for the traffic passing by them to slow so they can continue to cross. I should carry a camera so I can send these too common scenes to our officials.
But then the ANC approved the curb cuts on that block for new construction (per meeting notes: Approval Resolution for Curb Cut at 1237 First Street NW )…
let’s add more cars trying to get in and out of that area – make a lot of sense to me ….