UPDATE: Due to safety concerns associated with forecasted weather, the Traffic Calming Demonstration at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Calhoun Street previously scheduled for today has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28.
About the traffic calming demonstration
According to a recent SGF Yields quarterly crosswalk compliance study, less than 4% of drivers stop for pedestrians at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Calhoun Street.
In an effort to improve pedestrian safety at this location, Springfield Public Works is planning a list of intersection traffic-calming improvements involving the installation of medians. The unique median design will help narrow traffic lanes and slow turning traffic, while increasing visibility and awareness of crossing pedestrians.
To test out the design and gather input from the community, a traffic calming demonstration will be conducted at the intersection, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28.
The demonstration will temporarily simulate the new intersection design through the use of painted tires, traffic cones and other means. A booth staffed by Public Works will be on-site to provide information on the proposed safety improvements and collect public comment.
“The mock-up median and crosswalks will be used to help test the effectiveness of the planned modifications and to easily make field changes that may carry through to the final design,” explains Traffic Safety Professional Mandy Buettgen-Quinn. “It’s also important for the community to see what we’re planning and have the opportunity to tell us what they think.”
Located near Grant Beach Park and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield, and along walking routes for Pipkin Middle School and Weaver Elementary, the intersection of Grant Avenue and Calhoun Street sees approximately 30 students attempting to cross each afternoon. Classified as a secondary arterial roadway, Grant Avenue carries an average of 8,000 – 10,000 cars per day, acting as a barrier for pedestrians and effectively cutting the Grant Beach Neighborhood in half.
“While conducting the quarterly compliance study, staff observed kids having to wait long periods of time to safely cross, sometimes darting in-between cars. Drivers were taking very little notice of them. Our goal with these improvements is to slow down traffic and increase overall awareness of the intersection as an important pedestrian crossing,” said Buettgen-Quinn.
For more information on Springfield’s SGF Yields pedestrian safety campaign, visit springfieldmo.gov/sgfyields.
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For more information, please contact Kristen Milam 573-819-3713 or Mandy Buettgen-Quinn at 417-864-1801.