Improvements made to dangerous intersection on Columbus' east side
COLUMBUS, Ohio, (WSYX/WTTE) — When students walk to school Thursday morning in one east Columbus neighborhood, it’s going to be a lot safer. A major sidewalk improvement project just making progress. It’s at the corner of Livingston Avenue and Barnett Road. It’s been called one of the most dangerous intersections in the city.
Cerleena Smith’s kids spend time in the area often.
"You’ve got the park right here. You’ve got the recreation center, and you also have the library,” Smith said.
Johnson Park Middle School sits along Barnett Road as well, and it’s set to welcome students back to school tomorrow.
Records show 68 crashes in this intersection in a three-year period. Two of them involved pedestrians.
Council member Shayla Favor said improvements are long overdue but finally coming along.
"People have been fighting for this for a few years now,” Favor said. “Given the numbers, the statistics that we know of, the crashes that have happened at this intersection, I would be concerned for my child's safety going to and from school."
Columbus covered about 10% of the project and was able to leverage the rest from state and federal dollars. The project added a turning lane, pedestrian pathways, and push buttons for the crosswalks. The traffic signals will be replaced as well.
Without teaching kids, the rules, Smith said the safety improvements are for nothing.
"Parents still need to tell their kids about crossing the street. At least walk to the crosswalk and then cross the street so it could be safer for our children,” Smith said.
Favor said the goal is to eliminate crashes. The city plans to continue building out the sidewalks to make this area safer and more walkable for kids. They expect that part of the project to be completed by spring of next year.
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