Sidewalk Obstructions

I have added a new page on Sidewalk Obstructions on my website. Utilities such as the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and PEPCO often use the sidewalk as a convenient place to put hydrants and poles, despite the negative impact that has on pedestrians.

In this image, the old WSSC hydrant has blocked the sidewalk for 50 years.  The FH in white paint marks where the new WSSC hydrant will block the sidewalk for the next 50 years.  With a complete water system replacement underway, the new hydrant could have been put back behind the sidewalk.  Even the PEPCO pole in the background is located out of the way behind the sidewalk.