If you have ever tried to walk or drive across Mt. Vernon Avenue from Nelson Avenue, you can understand the nature of this question. Like many of the intersections along Mt. Vernon Avenue, the intersection at E. Nelson and Mt. Vernon Avenue can be very challenging to navigate. This challenge is caused when cars park too close to the street corners and impede visibility.
This year alone there have been 2 car accidents reported to the police at this intersection. I personally had a close call one evening because two large SUVs that were parked on Mt. Vernon Avenue completely blocked the visibility of on-coming traffic from cars on E. Nelson Avenue. I was even in an SUV myself. It was quite a frightening experience.
Virginia state law indicates that “No person shall park a vehicle or permit it to stand… twenty feet from the intersection of curb lines…” (§ 46.2-1239). This law is broken every day all day all over Del Ray. A very reliable source told me that if a ticketed driver contests the ticket in court, the judge will dismiss the case if there is not a “No parking here to corner” sign indicating the parking restriction. Based on my personal observation, the law is not enforced unless it is grossly violated (the car has to be parked partially in the intersection), or reported to police by a resident.
Several of the neighbors on Nelson Avenue have sent written requests to the city requesting that “No Parking Here to Corner” signs be installed at the corners of Mt. Vernon and Nelson Avenues. Through much persistence, the city has installed the signs on the West side of East Nelson Avenue. While this has helped significantly in making it easier to turn onto E. Nelson Avenue from Mt. Vernon Avenue, it doesn’t make crossing or turning onto Mt. Vernon Avenue any safer.
I have personally submitted a written request for a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign for the Northwest corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue where it intersects E. Nelson Avenue (adjacent to the apartment building). I recently contacted the city about my request and they said they were “waiting to see” how the other signs that were installed were affecting the problem.
I think the city is hesitant to install signs that enforce parking restrictions because it will eliminate parking that patrons use for the businesses along the avenue. Hello city – do you consider ample parking a fair tradeoff for car accidents and potential personal injury? I hope not.
If you are wondering what you can do to assist with making this intersection better, you are in luck! I know exactly how you can help:
1. Send an email to Laurie Macnamara (lauriedrca@aol.com), the President of the Del Ray Citizen’s Association, and let her know that we need support on making this a safer intersection.
2. Send an email to Bob Garbacz (bob.garbacz@alexandriava.gov), City of Alexandria T&ES, and request that “no parking here to corner” signs be installed at all corners of this intersection.
3. If you see a car parked within 20 feet of a corner regardless of whether there is a sign there, call the Alexandria City Police non-emergency number (703-838-4444) and report it.
I think if everyone lets the City know how much of a problem this is, it will get fixed. Don’t be shy, please send emails and call!