Plans to add a traffic signal to a crash-prone intersection north of Columbia Pike are taking another step forward.
Proposed improvements to S. Glebe Road and 9th Street S. will be the topic of a county open house on Thursday, Dec. 5.
County spokesperson Claudia Pors declined to share additional information in advance of the meeting. However, adding a traffic signal to the intersection — which saw two pedestrian crashes and five vehicle crashes between January 2018 and February 2021 — is one of the intersection project’s stated goals.
“Design elements could include curb extensions, improvements to the marked crossing, refuge medians, a traffic signal (to replace the RRFB), elements to address ADA concerns like non-compliant curb ramps and sidewalk clearance, and other relevant tools,” a county page says.
The crossing is part of the Pike’s “bike boulevards,” meant to divert bicyclists on safe routes away from the busy road. However, cyclists have been raising safety concerns and asking the county to replace the intersection’s rapid-flashing beacons with a traffic signal since at least 2018.
Concepts designs are expected to incorporate public feedback on existing conditions, which the county received in spring 2023.
Next week’s open house, which will kick off the next round of feedback, will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Walter Reed Community Center, located at 2909 16th Street S.
