What is happening at Slaters Lane?

As part of the development of the former RF&P land to the north, the city is converting Slaters Lane to a split road, making the existing four lanes one way to the east, and building a new two lane leg along the railroad tracks to west.

However, it offers some concern for our neighborhood, as the Slaters Lane and Portner Road intersection is the ONLY access for our neighborhood to US1 South.

For new neighbors:
    This is only the latest effort to prune our egress options.
    The new Monroe Street Bridge blocked accesses to US1 at Bashford and at Powhatan Streets.
    Road improvements - which we are paying for - are severely limiting our ability to come and go.
    This does not seem right.

Some plans for this modification suggest the light at Portner Road will be removed and right turns will be prohibited.

If this happens drivers from our neighborhood will be required to turn right heading east into the frequently backed up line to GW parkway, cross the now four lane east leg Slaters Lane, and then turn left on to the new north section of Slaters Lane.

This is unacceptable.

The large brick building on Portner Road blocks driver's view of this intersection.
The light is needed to provide safe entrance onto Slaters Lane when it is not backed up,
   and to open a break in the traffic line when it is backed up.

The left turn is needed to avoid the backup of cars fighting to get on to GW parkway during the rush hours and the back up on the west leg that the developments to the north will bring.

The suggestion that these aggressive drivers will leave a lane open for us to enter and travel without impediment is wishful thinking at its worst. At best these two lanes will end up as a parking lane and a place for delivery trucks to play, while the top side of this loop will be backed up from the hundreds of cars from Potomac Village and Potomac Greens trying to get anywhere.