Description

This is a highly frequented intersection both by residents of the Seaboard Yard townhomes and by visitors to the Pepper Place Farmers Market. Despite this frequent pedestrian use, vehicle traffic moves at a high rate of speed on 1st Avenue South and very rarely yields to pedestrians at this crossing or at the next crossing towards Avondale.

The crosswalk at 1st Ave S and 28th St is not safe. The cross walk is not raised making the cross walk difficult to see for drivers and encouraging high rates of speed even when pedestrians are waiting / crossing. On Saturdays I have observed mothers pushing strollers or elderly individuals shuffle/scramble out of the way of a fast moving car or industrial vehicle that doesn't stop or slow. In short the intersection design encourages drivers to drive at high rates of speed and not yield to pedestrians. It is a recipe for pedestrian injury / death given the high utilization of this crossing. Finally, there used to be two cross walk signs in the area but both were hit by cars and only one was set up again after being hit.

Ideally this intersection would be marked with cross walk signs visible in both directions. It would be great if they could flash stop upon the press of a button by a crossing pedestrian. Speed humps would also be great in this intersection and along the multiple intersections on First avenue south. With additional townhomes, restaurants, and parking lots going up in this area fast moving industrial vehicles and exhibition drivers are at high risk of leading to pedestrian/cyclist death without traffic calming measures. Additionally, fast moving industrial vehicles on this side street are unnecessary as there are multilane, oneway streets just a couple blocks over that would be more suited to large industrial vehicles.

If it's not obvious at this point, I live in one of the townhomes on 1st Ave South and was prompted to submit this request after a car turning right quickly onto 1st avenue south from 28th street knocked me over while I was cross 1st avenue. Signage for a cross walk and speed humps would force drivers to slow down in this area and decrease the risk of injury to vulnerable road users.

Thanks so much.