Bates Area Civic Association

Government of the District of Columbia
Department of Transportation

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Media Contact: Monica Hernandez – 202-359-6647, monica.hernandez@dc.gov

DDOT Travel Advisory

Motorists Urged to Use Caution at Dark Intersections

(Washington, D.C.) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is urging motorists to please use caution while traveling throughout the District. As of this evening, various roads remain closed due to downed trees on power lines and various traffic signals are still dark.

DDOT is continuing to work with PEPCO to ensure major roads are open by tomorrow morning’s rush-hour period.

Traffic-control personnel and stop signs have been deployed to intersections where signals are out and will remain onsite until full power is restored.

Tips:

• · Treat dark intersections as four-way stops.
• · Stay away from downed wires. They could be energized and electrical contact could be fatal.
• · Stay clear of broken and hanging tree branches, as they can fall at any time.
• · If possible avoid driving and take public transit. Visit goDCgo.com for more information on transportation options.

District residents are reminded to call 311 or go online at 311.dc.gov to report downed trees and branches in public space. The service requests are immediately forwarded to DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA). Priority is given to street trees that have fallen on homes, cars and power lines, and trees that are blocking roadways; then UFA will shift its focus to storm clean up in alleys and other tree related storm debris. District residents are reminded that trees and branches that fall on or from private property are the responsibility of the property owners.

To report a power outage please call Pepco at 877-PEPCO62. Customers may report outages online at pepco.com or download Pepco’s smart phone app, pepco.com/mobileapp to report and track their outages.