Sometimes it seems like anything involving both cars and Logan Circle is doomed to controversy. We’re sure you remember the great church parking debates of aught-six. That particular hornet’s nest seems to have finally calmed down and things have been pleasantly quiet around Logan’s roads. Eleventh Street got some new traffic lanes, the Circle got some new lights and we thought all was well.
Not so! Much to our surprise, not everyone is happy with the recently-activated traffic signals (some of which are pictured above) that now dot the periphery of Logan Circle. Take, for example, local blogger Brian of ardvaark.net, who calls on DDOT to leave the Logan lights off:
If you are not familiar with the navigational disasters that are DC’s traffic circles, be thankful. In theory they are a beautiful and effective method of safely intersecting several streets at once. In actuality, they are a nightmare for residents and out-of-towners alike. Peppered with inscrutable lane markings and flanked by a forest of poles on which are hung traffic lights pointing in every direction but yours, travelling around a circle is an exercise in confusion, frustration, and angry, dangerous driving. Every attempt by DDOT to improve the situation with clearer lane markings and more lights have simply made things worse.
We admit, the man has a point. Traffic circles may be a great idea conceptually, but to us they’ve always seemed poorly-suited to even moderate levels of traffic. Adding traffic lights is a near-inevitability, but doing so sacrifices much of the point of having a circle in the first place.
Nevertheless, we’re glad to see these particular lights, which at least clarify a previously confusing situation. Before, one direction of traffic at the pictured intersection had a signal and the other didn’t (or, arguably, just one that few drivers paid attention to — it depends on how liberal a definition of “intersection” you employ). The new lights make us feel safer when crossing the south side of the circle, at least.
But maybe that’s just us. What do you say, Logan residents? Have these lights made your trips to Whole Foods more or less perilous?
