Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I'm sending you this note because I've been unable to find out whether the District of Columbia or the National Park Service is responsible for the posting of some inconsistent signs. I've contacted both, and each has referred me to the other.
As result of the P Street Bridge refurbishment project, the signs on P Street NW at the southbound entrance to the Rock Creek Parkway are inconsistent.
At the entrance, the signs say "Do Not Enter" from 3:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Those signs have been up for several years and reflect the correct times, because Rock Creek Parkway returns from one-way outbound to two-way traffic at 6:30.
At the intersection are new signs saying "No Left Turn" (westbound P Street) and "No Right Turn" (eastbound P Street). Both sets of those signs list the time 3:45 p.m. through 6 p.m. Those are incorrect times because Rock Creek Parkway is still northbound-only until 6:30 p.m.
I hope you can assist me in notifying the appropriate agency. The inconsistent signage creates a safety concern because motorists are using the southbound entrance onto the Rock Creek Parkway when all traffic is northbound.
Paul Kinsey
Washington
Thanks for the tip. I passed it on immediately to the D.C. Department of Transportation. It usually acts promptly on matters of safety.
Disastrous Bike Path
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I just got back into town and saw the letter complaining about bicyclists using the roadway of Rock Creek Parkway (Dr. Gridlock, Aug. 19), even though a bike path is available nearby.
I was unhappy to see your headline, "Some Roads Just Aren't for Cyclists," put forward as a statement. It could have at least been phrased as a question, to show a more open attitude.
The writer said that "It seems absolutely ridiculous (not to mention rude and a little insane) for a cyclist to use Rock Creek Parkway -- a relatively high-speed, curvy road. . . ."
I am not sure of the exact location of this incident, but the maximum speed limit is 35 mph in the park, and in many areas it is 25 mph.
