On Monday, June 8, 21-year-old Timothy Abbott was struck and killed walking across the street at the intersection of Piney Branch Rd. and Dahlia St. NW. The DC Department of Transportation has known for years that this dangerous intersection posed a risk to pedestrians, but they have failed to make safety improvements. Please join me and other members of our community in demanding a safer intersection.

DDOT has known this intersection -- home to an elementary school, a daycare and a church -- isn't safe for pedestrians since at least 2014. In 2018, DDOT Safe Routes to School assessed the area and recommended a stop sign for that intersection. The Rock Creek East Livability Study also called for significant traffic calming in that area. Yet despite years of requests from local residents, businesses, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and others, DDOT has failed to act. Enough is enough.

Timothy Abbott was a graduate of Coolidge High School, a student athlete, and a member of our community. His death should have been prevented. DDOT must install a stop sign and traffic calming measures along Piney Branch Road between Eastern Avenue NW and Butternut Street Northwest and include a stop sign or signalization at the intersection of Piney Branch and Dahlia Road NW.