University District losing traffic lights
Many residents are not happy about it, but the city says that there’s nothing they can do…traffic lights will be coming down in the University District.
Specifically, three intersections are about to lose their red lights:
- N. 4th Street and Wyandotte Avenue
- N. 4th and E. 19th Avenue
- Summit Street and Maynard Avenue
Officials say that they must remove the lights to be in compliance with federal guidelines. Because Columbus is using federal dollars to fund a new traffic signal system, those guidelines must be adhered to. The standards are established by surveys comparing pedestrian and vehicle volume with accident statistics.
Residents worry that removing the lights will make the area much less safe…especially for pedestrians. New pedestrian crossings are set to be added in 2016, long after the traffic signals are removed. The city says that pulling lights is almost always looked at as a last option, but here they had no other choices. The lights will be switched to ‘flashing mode’ for a 90-day period before being taken out. (jj)
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