West 20th Avenue Pedestrian Crossing

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Consultation has concluded.

Consultation has concluded.

PROJECT UPDATE as of October 2022: The pedestrian crossing and storm sewer improvements have been completed, and the contractor is finishing cleanup work and some miscellaneous landscape restoration.

As of July 12, 2022
Beginning on July 12, the West 20ᵗʰ Avenue storm sewer project will continue construction from Urban Drive to just past Union Street. As a result, 20ᵗʰ will continue to be closed to through traffic at Youngfield on the west and Simms on the east. "Local Traffic Only" signs are in place at Youngfield and Simms.

The full closure of 20ᵗʰ will be from Urban/Winfield Drive to Taft Drive. The detour for local traffic only will be as follows:

  • Westbound 20ᵗʰ traffic will be detoured via Tabor Drive, West 21ˢᵗ Drive and Urban Drive.
  • Eastbound 20ᵗʰ traffic will be detoured via Winfield Drive, West 18ᵗʰ Drive, Union Street and Taft Drive.
  • The local traffic only detours are necessary to allow emergency vehicles, deliveries and local residents into the area.
  • See map of detour route.

West 20ᵗʰ is expected to be closed for approximately 2.5 weeks.

Previous updates -- Work gets underway
In the upcoming weeks, a contractor hired by the City of Lakewood will begin work on storm sewer and street improvements on West 20th Avenue between Urban Drive and just east of Union Street. We are committed to working cooperatively with property owners as we move forward with this work. The contractor performing the work will be Double R Excavating, (303-688-2703).

During construction, 20th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Youngfield and Simms streets; however, homeowners and business owners will continue to have access. The contractor’s work area on 20th will be between Urban and Taft drives. Please follow the detour signs during this closure. Closure of 20th is scheduled to begin on June 6 and last about four weeks, weather permitting.

The project will include the following:

  • Storm sewer and inlet installation along 20th from east of Urban Drive/Winfield Drive to just east of Union Street and on the east and west sides of Union Drive and Union Street just south of 20th.
  • Storm sewer replacement and inlet installation between 2015 and 2025 Union Drive.
  • Installation of a new raised median (with sidewalk) just west of the Urban Drive/Winfield Drive and 20th intersection and replacement of the existing raised median on 20th at Union Drive.
  • Removal of the existing pedestrian traffic signal on 20th east of Urban Drive/Winfield Drive.
  • Replacement of curb ramps at the northeast corner of 20th and Urban, at the southeast corner of 20th and Winfield, at the southwest corner of 20th and Union Drive, and at the southwest corner of 20th and Union Street.

Additional construction information
Variable message boards have been in place since May 20 for both directions of travel on 20th notifying travelers that a portion of 20th between Simms and Youngfield are closed and that alternative routes are suggested. The city can’t completely close 20th in this segment to all traffic because safe access in and out of the neighborhood for residents, police, fire department, ambulances, deliveries and trash pickup services must be allowed.

The closure consists of two detours:

  • There are soft closures on 20th at the intersections with Simms and Youngfield that inform motorists of the closure ahead and to discourage through traffic from continuing. The city can’t prohibit traffic from entering/exiting the area at these locations.
  • There is a hard closure for the work zone on 20th from Urban to Union drives for Phase I of the construction. This will be followed by a hard closure from Union to Taft drives for Phase II of the construction. This is where motorists must detour either north and south around the closed section of 20th. The established detours take traffic north to West 26th Avenue or south to West Colfax Avenue.

Unfortunately during the early phase of the closures, motorists will try to find multiple routes around the construction. We have notified Lakewood Police of neighborhood concerns about safety because of this as well as about speeds on the detour routes.

The Phase I and II closures are expected to last about four weeks. Following these phases, one-lane closures with flaggers could be necessary on 20th until the project is completed in early August.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Safe crossings for pedestrians, particularly when near schools, are a priority for the city, and Lakewood will be relocating a pedestrian crossing in the middle of the block on West 20th Avenue in the Applewood neighborhood to Urban Drive to make it safer.

Currently the crossing is located between Union and Urban drives in northwest Lakewood, and it is accompanied by a traffic signal. Several traffic studies have shown that pedestrians seldom use the crosswalk or the signal because of its location. Motorists also so rarely see the traffic signal change from green, they don’t notice when it turns red for a pedestrian and fail to stop, the studies found. Under these conditions, a traffic signal for pedestrians serves as more of a hazard than a help.

The following changes will be made to the crossing:

  • Remove the traffic signal.
  • Create a new marked pedestrian crossing at Urban Drive with median islands to provide refuge for the desired pedestrian movements. This will align with a walking route to Stober Elementary School located about three blocks north on Urban Drive.
  • Install a median in this section of West 20th in conjunction with an upcoming stormwater utility project. The median will provide more safety for crossing pedestrians, particularly for children, because it will reduce their exposure time to vehicles by more than half. Children can also focus on crossing one half of the street at a time. The median will also reduce the road width, which will result in reducing vehicle speeds.

Example of upcoming safer crossing

With this kind of crossing, children and adults can focus on crossing one section with traffic from one direction at a time. Breaking the crossing into two stages is helpful for children learning to cross the street. The median narrows the travel lanes, which naturally reduces traffic speeds.





Check out crosswalk safety tips! (PDF download)

Consultation has concluded.

PROJECT UPDATE as of October 2022: The pedestrian crossing and storm sewer improvements have been completed, and the contractor is finishing cleanup work and some miscellaneous landscape restoration.

As of July 12, 2022
Beginning on July 12, the West 20ᵗʰ Avenue storm sewer project will continue construction from Urban Drive to just past Union Street. As a result, 20ᵗʰ will continue to be closed to through traffic at Youngfield on the west and Simms on the east. "Local Traffic Only" signs are in place at Youngfield and Simms.

The full closure of 20ᵗʰ will be from Urban/Winfield Drive to Taft Drive. The detour for local traffic only will be as follows:

  • Westbound 20ᵗʰ traffic will be detoured via Tabor Drive, West 21ˢᵗ Drive and Urban Drive.
  • Eastbound 20ᵗʰ traffic will be detoured via Winfield Drive, West 18ᵗʰ Drive, Union Street and Taft Drive.
  • The local traffic only detours are necessary to allow emergency vehicles, deliveries and local residents into the area.
  • See map of detour route.

West 20ᵗʰ is expected to be closed for approximately 2.5 weeks.

Previous updates -- Work gets underway
In the upcoming weeks, a contractor hired by the City of Lakewood will begin work on storm sewer and street improvements on West 20th Avenue between Urban Drive and just east of Union Street. We are committed to working cooperatively with property owners as we move forward with this work. The contractor performing the work will be Double R Excavating, (303-688-2703).

During construction, 20th Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Youngfield and Simms streets; however, homeowners and business owners will continue to have access. The contractor’s work area on 20th will be between Urban and Taft drives. Please follow the detour signs during this closure. Closure of 20th is scheduled to begin on June 6 and last about four weeks, weather permitting.

The project will include the following:

  • Storm sewer and inlet installation along 20th from east of Urban Drive/Winfield Drive to just east of Union Street and on the east and west sides of Union Drive and Union Street just south of 20th.
  • Storm sewer replacement and inlet installation between 2015 and 2025 Union Drive.
  • Installation of a new raised median (with sidewalk) just west of the Urban Drive/Winfield Drive and 20th intersection and replacement of the existing raised median on 20th at Union Drive.
  • Removal of the existing pedestrian traffic signal on 20th east of Urban Drive/Winfield Drive.
  • Replacement of curb ramps at the northeast corner of 20th and Urban, at the southeast corner of 20th and Winfield, at the southwest corner of 20th and Union Drive, and at the southwest corner of 20th and Union Street.

Additional construction information
Variable message boards have been in place since May 20 for both directions of travel on 20th notifying travelers that a portion of 20th between Simms and Youngfield are closed and that alternative routes are suggested. The city can’t completely close 20th in this segment to all traffic because safe access in and out of the neighborhood for residents, police, fire department, ambulances, deliveries and trash pickup services must be allowed.

The closure consists of two detours:

  • There are soft closures on 20th at the intersections with Simms and Youngfield that inform motorists of the closure ahead and to discourage through traffic from continuing. The city can’t prohibit traffic from entering/exiting the area at these locations.
  • There is a hard closure for the work zone on 20th from Urban to Union drives for Phase I of the construction. This will be followed by a hard closure from Union to Taft drives for Phase II of the construction. This is where motorists must detour either north and south around the closed section of 20th. The established detours take traffic north to West 26th Avenue or south to West Colfax Avenue.

Unfortunately during the early phase of the closures, motorists will try to find multiple routes around the construction. We have notified Lakewood Police of neighborhood concerns about safety because of this as well as about speeds on the detour routes.

The Phase I and II closures are expected to last about four weeks. Following these phases, one-lane closures with flaggers could be necessary on 20th until the project is completed in early August.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Safe crossings for pedestrians, particularly when near schools, are a priority for the city, and Lakewood will be relocating a pedestrian crossing in the middle of the block on West 20th Avenue in the Applewood neighborhood to Urban Drive to make it safer.

Currently the crossing is located between Union and Urban drives in northwest Lakewood, and it is accompanied by a traffic signal. Several traffic studies have shown that pedestrians seldom use the crosswalk or the signal because of its location. Motorists also so rarely see the traffic signal change from green, they don’t notice when it turns red for a pedestrian and fail to stop, the studies found. Under these conditions, a traffic signal for pedestrians serves as more of a hazard than a help.

The following changes will be made to the crossing:

  • Remove the traffic signal.
  • Create a new marked pedestrian crossing at Urban Drive with median islands to provide refuge for the desired pedestrian movements. This will align with a walking route to Stober Elementary School located about three blocks north on Urban Drive.
  • Install a median in this section of West 20th in conjunction with an upcoming stormwater utility project. The median will provide more safety for crossing pedestrians, particularly for children, because it will reduce their exposure time to vehicles by more than half. Children can also focus on crossing one half of the street at a time. The median will also reduce the road width, which will result in reducing vehicle speeds.

Example of upcoming safer crossing

With this kind of crossing, children and adults can focus on crossing one section with traffic from one direction at a time. Breaking the crossing into two stages is helpful for children learning to cross the street. The median narrows the travel lanes, which naturally reduces traffic speeds.





Check out crosswalk safety tips! (PDF download)

Consultation has concluded.

Ask your question specific to this project here, and city staff will respond within three business days. Questions and answers about this project will be visible to the public. 

For general questions and concerns about the city, please visit Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood(External link), which is the city's online customer service center available online 24 hours a day.

  • Share RE: 20thCrossing construction: I live on the detour route at 1820 Winfield Dr. This is a request for 20 mph speed limit signs be placed on the detour route. Due to the inadequate signage on 20th to divert traffic from the construction route, heavy traffic volume is being directed into my residential neighborhood. The cars and trucks speed down my street, are noisy, drivers are often quite rude because they feel inconvenienced b/c of the detour. Children often play in the streets and are endangered by the speeders. Recently, a Lakewood traffic patrolman offered that he could be much more effective if 20 mph speed limit signs were in place. Since the present signage doesn't seem to reduce the traffic volume away from the construction zone, redirecting it into my normally quiet, residential neighborhood, can the city place temporary (or better, permanent) 20 mph speed limit signs to attempt to slow the traffic through the detour? on Facebook Share RE: 20thCrossing construction: I live on the detour route at 1820 Winfield Dr. This is a request for 20 mph speed limit signs be placed on the detour route. Due to the inadequate signage on 20th to divert traffic from the construction route, heavy traffic volume is being directed into my residential neighborhood. The cars and trucks speed down my street, are noisy, drivers are often quite rude because they feel inconvenienced b/c of the detour. Children often play in the streets and are endangered by the speeders. Recently, a Lakewood traffic patrolman offered that he could be much more effective if 20 mph speed limit signs were in place. Since the present signage doesn't seem to reduce the traffic volume away from the construction zone, redirecting it into my normally quiet, residential neighborhood, can the city place temporary (or better, permanent) 20 mph speed limit signs to attempt to slow the traffic through the detour? on Twitter Share RE: 20thCrossing construction: I live on the detour route at 1820 Winfield Dr. This is a request for 20 mph speed limit signs be placed on the detour route. Due to the inadequate signage on 20th to divert traffic from the construction route, heavy traffic volume is being directed into my residential neighborhood. The cars and trucks speed down my street, are noisy, drivers are often quite rude because they feel inconvenienced b/c of the detour. Children often play in the streets and are endangered by the speeders. Recently, a Lakewood traffic patrolman offered that he could be much more effective if 20 mph speed limit signs were in place. Since the present signage doesn't seem to reduce the traffic volume away from the construction zone, redirecting it into my normally quiet, residential neighborhood, can the city place temporary (or better, permanent) 20 mph speed limit signs to attempt to slow the traffic through the detour? on Linkedin Email RE: 20thCrossing construction: I live on the detour route at 1820 Winfield Dr. This is a request for 20 mph speed limit signs be placed on the detour route. Due to the inadequate signage on 20th to divert traffic from the construction route, heavy traffic volume is being directed into my residential neighborhood. The cars and trucks speed down my street, are noisy, drivers are often quite rude because they feel inconvenienced b/c of the detour. Children often play in the streets and are endangered by the speeders. Recently, a Lakewood traffic patrolman offered that he could be much more effective if 20 mph speed limit signs were in place. Since the present signage doesn't seem to reduce the traffic volume away from the construction zone, redirecting it into my normally quiet, residential neighborhood, can the city place temporary (or better, permanent) 20 mph speed limit signs to attempt to slow the traffic through the detour? link

    RE: 20thCrossing construction: I live on the detour route at 1820 Winfield Dr. This is a request for 20 mph speed limit signs be placed on the detour route. Due to the inadequate signage on 20th to divert traffic from the construction route, heavy traffic volume is being directed into my residential neighborhood. The cars and trucks speed down my street, are noisy, drivers are often quite rude because they feel inconvenienced b/c of the detour. Children often play in the streets and are endangered by the speeders. Recently, a Lakewood traffic patrolman offered that he could be much more effective if 20 mph speed limit signs were in place. Since the present signage doesn't seem to reduce the traffic volume away from the construction zone, redirecting it into my normally quiet, residential neighborhood, can the city place temporary (or better, permanent) 20 mph speed limit signs to attempt to slow the traffic through the detour?

    Scott O'Donnell asked over 2 years ago

    Scott --

    I have been out of the office, but when your question came into the project's website I contacted the project team to find out if these signs or other changes could be made. I'll touch base with the team members today, and I'll let you know.

    Scott -- I wanted to let you know what I learned from the transportation team. The team let me know it will continue to monitor the traffic control and detour for this project as the work continues. Unfortunately, temporary speed reduction signs aren’t allowed in these situations under required federal signage standards that apply to city streets. It would also require traffic studies before putting them in place that would take longer than the project will last. As you know, Lakewood Police agents have been monitoring the speeds on the detour route.

  • Share Can they please add a pedestrian walk light at this 20th Ave crossing? This would make traffic stop to provide a much safer crossing for children heading to and from school. on Facebook Share Can they please add a pedestrian walk light at this 20th Ave crossing? This would make traffic stop to provide a much safer crossing for children heading to and from school. on Twitter Share Can they please add a pedestrian walk light at this 20th Ave crossing? This would make traffic stop to provide a much safer crossing for children heading to and from school. on Linkedin Email Can they please add a pedestrian walk light at this 20th Ave crossing? This would make traffic stop to provide a much safer crossing for children heading to and from school. link

    Can they please add a pedestrian walk light at this 20th Ave crossing? This would make traffic stop to provide a much safer crossing for children heading to and from school.

    Wanita Frias asked over 2 years ago

    Wanita, thanks for your question and interest in the project. You might have noticed in the Ask a Question section on this project page that this question has come up before. With traffic signals, it’s important to remember that they can make safety worse rather than better, and that’s the case here. The current signal is used so little, it causes more harm than good. As is noted on the project page, several traffic studies have shown that pedestrians seldom use the crosswalk or the signal because of its location. Motorists so rarely see the traffic signal change from green to red that they don’t notice when it turns red for a pedestrian and fail to stop, the studies found. Under these conditions, a traffic signal puts pedestrians at more risk of being hit because they are expecting cars to stop, and they proceed into the roadway when motorists don’t even notice the red light. That is why the crossing is being changed, and the new design will increase safety for pedestrians.

  • Share What can be done to reduce motor vehicle speed east of this pedestrian crossing? Cars are pushing the speed limits going down 20th Ave and driving into fences and neighbors property. These occurrences sometimes don’t get reported as people drive away and the property owner is left to deal with the damage. In addition students walk East on 20th ,so perhaps extending the school area would be beneficial. Thanks on Facebook Share What can be done to reduce motor vehicle speed east of this pedestrian crossing? Cars are pushing the speed limits going down 20th Ave and driving into fences and neighbors property. These occurrences sometimes don’t get reported as people drive away and the property owner is left to deal with the damage. In addition students walk East on 20th ,so perhaps extending the school area would be beneficial. Thanks on Twitter Share What can be done to reduce motor vehicle speed east of this pedestrian crossing? Cars are pushing the speed limits going down 20th Ave and driving into fences and neighbors property. These occurrences sometimes don’t get reported as people drive away and the property owner is left to deal with the damage. In addition students walk East on 20th ,so perhaps extending the school area would be beneficial. Thanks on Linkedin Email What can be done to reduce motor vehicle speed east of this pedestrian crossing? Cars are pushing the speed limits going down 20th Ave and driving into fences and neighbors property. These occurrences sometimes don’t get reported as people drive away and the property owner is left to deal with the damage. In addition students walk East on 20th ,so perhaps extending the school area would be beneficial. Thanks link

    What can be done to reduce motor vehicle speed east of this pedestrian crossing? Cars are pushing the speed limits going down 20th Ave and driving into fences and neighbors property. These occurrences sometimes don’t get reported as people drive away and the property owner is left to deal with the damage. In addition students walk East on 20th ,so perhaps extending the school area would be beneficial. Thanks

    Svpecenka asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for participating in this project. Speeding has been noted east of the project near Simms Street, which at times does have radar signs. Unfortunately, radar signs lose their effectiveness after several weeks. For this reason, radar signs are temporary and rotated out. The design of the pedestrian refuge island and median at the pedestrian crossing will also maintain a reduced width of the road, which will also encourage motorists to drive at a reasonable speed through the area. We continue to look at options to address speeding in this section, and we encourage you to call the Lakewood Police Department’s nonemergency line at 303-980-7300 if you witness speeding or a crash that doesn’t involve an injury. You can also call this number to request additional patrols during specific times.

  • Share I am disabled and use a power wheelchair to cross 20th at this signal. Having read the description of the proposed changes, I can only hope that the new median, signage, and regularly refreshed striping will result in a safer Crossing. Also, I trust the city will pay close attention to the needs of wheelchair users when constructing ramps at curbs and at grade changes. on Facebook Share I am disabled and use a power wheelchair to cross 20th at this signal. Having read the description of the proposed changes, I can only hope that the new median, signage, and regularly refreshed striping will result in a safer Crossing. Also, I trust the city will pay close attention to the needs of wheelchair users when constructing ramps at curbs and at grade changes. on Twitter Share I am disabled and use a power wheelchair to cross 20th at this signal. Having read the description of the proposed changes, I can only hope that the new median, signage, and regularly refreshed striping will result in a safer Crossing. Also, I trust the city will pay close attention to the needs of wheelchair users when constructing ramps at curbs and at grade changes. on Linkedin Email I am disabled and use a power wheelchair to cross 20th at this signal. Having read the description of the proposed changes, I can only hope that the new median, signage, and regularly refreshed striping will result in a safer Crossing. Also, I trust the city will pay close attention to the needs of wheelchair users when constructing ramps at curbs and at grade changes. link

    I am disabled and use a power wheelchair to cross 20th at this signal. Having read the description of the proposed changes, I can only hope that the new median, signage, and regularly refreshed striping will result in a safer Crossing. Also, I trust the city will pay close attention to the needs of wheelchair users when constructing ramps at curbs and at grade changes.

    mweston asked almost 3 years ago

    Mark, we are absolutely focused on making sure the crossing complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. As Lakewood upgrades pedestrian facilities across the city, we are always mindful that people have a variety of abilities. We follow design guidance from the Federal Highway Administration when determining approach slope and refuge areas for anyone using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, pulling a wagon or using a walker. The sidewalk will be 6-feet wide and the ramps will be redone as well. Thank you for the question!  

  • Share Near this location, off Youngfield and Colfax, there's a speed reduction sign. Is it perfect? No, but it slows down drivers. There are countless people who cross near this area without the light (so you don't have an accurate read on how many pedestrians cross within a block or two of this crossing). How many accidents have happened along this 5-block stretch in the past ten years? Please share that information with us and let us know at what point it'll be enough to necessitate better solutions. on Facebook Share Near this location, off Youngfield and Colfax, there's a speed reduction sign. Is it perfect? No, but it slows down drivers. There are countless people who cross near this area without the light (so you don't have an accurate read on how many pedestrians cross within a block or two of this crossing). How many accidents have happened along this 5-block stretch in the past ten years? Please share that information with us and let us know at what point it'll be enough to necessitate better solutions. on Twitter Share Near this location, off Youngfield and Colfax, there's a speed reduction sign. Is it perfect? No, but it slows down drivers. There are countless people who cross near this area without the light (so you don't have an accurate read on how many pedestrians cross within a block or two of this crossing). How many accidents have happened along this 5-block stretch in the past ten years? Please share that information with us and let us know at what point it'll be enough to necessitate better solutions. on Linkedin Email Near this location, off Youngfield and Colfax, there's a speed reduction sign. Is it perfect? No, but it slows down drivers. There are countless people who cross near this area without the light (so you don't have an accurate read on how many pedestrians cross within a block or two of this crossing). How many accidents have happened along this 5-block stretch in the past ten years? Please share that information with us and let us know at what point it'll be enough to necessitate better solutions. link

    Near this location, off Youngfield and Colfax, there's a speed reduction sign. Is it perfect? No, but it slows down drivers. There are countless people who cross near this area without the light (so you don't have an accurate read on how many pedestrians cross within a block or two of this crossing). How many accidents have happened along this 5-block stretch in the past ten years? Please share that information with us and let us know at what point it'll be enough to necessitate better solutions.

    Sarah asked about 3 years ago

    Thanks for your question about accidents. There have not been recent pedestrian crashes within the three-block area. Pedestrian crashes are relatively infrequent and rarely occur at the same location twice. There are often multiple contributing factors that lead to a pedestrian crash, but most can be traced to the motorist not expecting the need to stop.

    All pedestrians within the three-block area have been included in this project, and pedestrians crossing at scattered locations results in the driver’s focus not being on a specific crossing, which is less safe than when crossings are consolidated at one location. Consolidating pedestrians to one location (Urban Drive) works with what drivers expect, and the relocated crosswalk and refuge island eliminates the false expectation that drivers will stop at the red light currently created by the signal.

  • Share Please note that your three studies happened when the school was NOT in operation at all or at full capacity due to COVID. What light indicators or speed indicators will be in place to discourage people from going 20 miles over the speed limit as they approach this? We cross here daily and this is a terrifying stretch without clear vision (due to trees) and being at the bottom of a hill. You cite school times in your response to Dianna, yet this is scariest in my experience during "rush hour" times in the morning or evening (4:30-7). This isn't just a school crossing. This is also how neighbors access cross the street without going many blocks up one of the hills. Please let me know if you'd like to go for walks with us and I'd be happy to show you!! on Facebook Share Please note that your three studies happened when the school was NOT in operation at all or at full capacity due to COVID. What light indicators or speed indicators will be in place to discourage people from going 20 miles over the speed limit as they approach this? We cross here daily and this is a terrifying stretch without clear vision (due to trees) and being at the bottom of a hill. You cite school times in your response to Dianna, yet this is scariest in my experience during "rush hour" times in the morning or evening (4:30-7). This isn't just a school crossing. This is also how neighbors access cross the street without going many blocks up one of the hills. Please let me know if you'd like to go for walks with us and I'd be happy to show you!! on Twitter Share Please note that your three studies happened when the school was NOT in operation at all or at full capacity due to COVID. What light indicators or speed indicators will be in place to discourage people from going 20 miles over the speed limit as they approach this? We cross here daily and this is a terrifying stretch without clear vision (due to trees) and being at the bottom of a hill. You cite school times in your response to Dianna, yet this is scariest in my experience during "rush hour" times in the morning or evening (4:30-7). This isn't just a school crossing. This is also how neighbors access cross the street without going many blocks up one of the hills. Please let me know if you'd like to go for walks with us and I'd be happy to show you!! on Linkedin Email Please note that your three studies happened when the school was NOT in operation at all or at full capacity due to COVID. What light indicators or speed indicators will be in place to discourage people from going 20 miles over the speed limit as they approach this? We cross here daily and this is a terrifying stretch without clear vision (due to trees) and being at the bottom of a hill. You cite school times in your response to Dianna, yet this is scariest in my experience during "rush hour" times in the morning or evening (4:30-7). This isn't just a school crossing. This is also how neighbors access cross the street without going many blocks up one of the hills. Please let me know if you'd like to go for walks with us and I'd be happy to show you!! link

    Please note that your three studies happened when the school was NOT in operation at all or at full capacity due to COVID. What light indicators or speed indicators will be in place to discourage people from going 20 miles over the speed limit as they approach this? We cross here daily and this is a terrifying stretch without clear vision (due to trees) and being at the bottom of a hill. You cite school times in your response to Dianna, yet this is scariest in my experience during "rush hour" times in the morning or evening (4:30-7). This isn't just a school crossing. This is also how neighbors access cross the street without going many blocks up one of the hills. Please let me know if you'd like to go for walks with us and I'd be happy to show you!!

    Sarah asked about 3 years ago

    Sarah, thank you for your interest in this project. We have not seen speeding in the project area because of the narrow width of the road, but speeding has been noted east of project near Simms Street, which at times does have radar signs. But radar signs lose their effectiveness after several weeks. For this reason, radar signs are temporary and rotated out. We would not install permanent radar signs in the project area for two reasons:

    • Actual project area tends to have speed compliance due to narrow roadway width.
    • Speed display signs lose their effectiveness after several weeks once drivers have been reminded of their operating speed.
  • Share How can we get a stop sign/pedestrian crossing signal at 20th and Urban along with the crosswalk? Cars are constantly speeding down 20th and it is unsafe for children to cross. on Facebook Share How can we get a stop sign/pedestrian crossing signal at 20th and Urban along with the crosswalk? Cars are constantly speeding down 20th and it is unsafe for children to cross. on Twitter Share How can we get a stop sign/pedestrian crossing signal at 20th and Urban along with the crosswalk? Cars are constantly speeding down 20th and it is unsafe for children to cross. on Linkedin Email How can we get a stop sign/pedestrian crossing signal at 20th and Urban along with the crosswalk? Cars are constantly speeding down 20th and it is unsafe for children to cross. link

    How can we get a stop sign/pedestrian crossing signal at 20th and Urban along with the crosswalk? Cars are constantly speeding down 20th and it is unsafe for children to cross.

    tshelbye asked over 3 years ago

    Good morning,

     

    Thank you for your question! The removal of the current signal, and not replacing it, are at the heart of this project. The current signal is underutilized and causes more harm than good, per multiple studies and the latest in traffic engineering standards. From the project page, "Several traffic studies have shown that pedestrians seldom use the crosswalk or the signal because of its location. Motorists also so rarely see the traffic signal change from green, they don’t notice when it turns red for a pedestrian and fail to stop, the studies found. Under these conditions, a traffic signal for pedestrians serves as more of a hazard than a help."

     

    Instead, the city plans to install a marked median island to aid crossing. From the project page, "The median will provide more safety for crossing pedestrians, particularly for children, because it will reduce their exposure time to vehicles by more than half. Children can also focus on crossing one half of the street at a time. The median will also reduce the road width, which will result in reducing vehicle speeds."

     

    If you witness speeding, you can call the Lakewood PD non-emergency line at (303) 980-7300 to request additional patrols at the location during particular times. Thank you again for reaching out.

  • Share The traffic signal is certainly a danger to pedestrians because of its infrequent use, and needs to be removed. Is it necessary, though, to install a new crossing? Is there any information available about the price of installing a new median and crosswalk at Urban Drive? on Facebook Share The traffic signal is certainly a danger to pedestrians because of its infrequent use, and needs to be removed. Is it necessary, though, to install a new crossing? Is there any information available about the price of installing a new median and crosswalk at Urban Drive? on Twitter Share The traffic signal is certainly a danger to pedestrians because of its infrequent use, and needs to be removed. Is it necessary, though, to install a new crossing? Is there any information available about the price of installing a new median and crosswalk at Urban Drive? on Linkedin Email The traffic signal is certainly a danger to pedestrians because of its infrequent use, and needs to be removed. Is it necessary, though, to install a new crossing? Is there any information available about the price of installing a new median and crosswalk at Urban Drive? link

    The traffic signal is certainly a danger to pedestrians because of its infrequent use, and needs to be removed. Is it necessary, though, to install a new crossing? Is there any information available about the price of installing a new median and crosswalk at Urban Drive?

    JoelW asked over 3 years ago

    Hello Joel, that is a great question. You are correct; under most circumstances, if a marked crosswalk is found to be underutilized we would completely remove all pavement markings and signage. As you may have noticed, most marked crosswalks are at intersections, and it is lawful for a pedestrian to cross the street at an intersection whether the crosswalk is marked or unmarked. The scenario in this location, however, is different. The current traffic signal is not at an intersection. Once removed, by law it will be unlawful to cross the street at its present, midblock location. For this reason, we must guide a pedestrian to the new location for crossing the street, which will be at the intersection of Urban Drive. 

    The proper use of crosswalk markings is not to stop a car but rather to guide and consolidate pedestrians to a preferred crossing location. In this location, pedestrians will be more predictable to motorists if they cross in the same location. During the study, people crossed at scattered locations, and it made sense to relocate the markings to an intersection where the majority of people were observed to cross and in alignment with walking to and from Stober Elementary School. 

    Regarding cost, this project is part of a larger stormwater drainage project. Regardless of the pedestrian component, the roadway and traffic signal were going to be torn up during construction, and it made little sense to allocate $300,000 to replace the traffic signal, which was being overlooked by motorists or not used by pedestrians. The median that will be built has the added benefit of narrowing the roadway to reduce speeds, and it makes sense to create a refuge area for the people who are crossing the street. The design will be safer for present conditions by removing the danger of an underutilized signal and allow us the option in the future to enhance the crossing if it is found to grow in popularity.

  • Share Is there a possibility of having the flashing light pedestrian warning signal that has a button that walkers can push to trigger the flashing lights? Thanks for your time. on Facebook Share Is there a possibility of having the flashing light pedestrian warning signal that has a button that walkers can push to trigger the flashing lights? Thanks for your time. on Twitter Share Is there a possibility of having the flashing light pedestrian warning signal that has a button that walkers can push to trigger the flashing lights? Thanks for your time. on Linkedin Email Is there a possibility of having the flashing light pedestrian warning signal that has a button that walkers can push to trigger the flashing lights? Thanks for your time. link

    Is there a possibility of having the flashing light pedestrian warning signal that has a button that walkers can push to trigger the flashing lights? Thanks for your time.

    Dianna Cooper-Ribner asked over 3 years ago

    This is a great question Dianna; thank you for asking. Multiple options exist when signing or signaling a pedestrian crossing. But few of those are appropriate at this intersection due to the low number of pedestrians during school times and because typical delays for crossing the street do not exceed 60 seconds. In fact, if a crossing did not already exist at this location, it would not meet any criteria for a new installation. For a warning beacon to be effective for school crossings, it must be heavily used by students. 

    Another design factor is the reduced exposure time to a vehicle that a pedestrian will have while within the street with the new crossing; it will take about 3 seconds for a person to cross to reach the median. Beacons are set to flash only while a pedestrian is within the roadway. A beacon’s flash with the new crosswalk would be so brief that it would not be practical. The flash would be short that it would be more likely to serve as a distraction to drivers and momentarily remove their attention from the crosswalk. Extending the flash would result in poor compliance because a beacon that continues to flash after a pedestrian has left the lane in the roadway does not command respect of the driver. Like an underutilized traffic signal, the device would also be ignored.   

    The danger in an overlooked device is that a pedestrian remains confident that the device works.  A pedestrian enters the street with a false sense of security, and a collision occurs. This is a deadly scenario when considering small children. In this particular scenario, the pedestrian is much safer being on guard and looking left and right before entering the street. This is why the refuge islands are a better design; they are less misleading to the pedestrian, the pedestrian is exposed for less time to traffic, and the refuge island provides an area of protected, enhanced visibility while completing the crossing.

  • Share The studies and construciton plan must show lane width tolerances on each side of the median that ensure a reduction in vehicle speeds. This road is heavily trafficked with studies showing that existing speed limits are on average being exceeded - the known fact of average speeds exceeding the limits must be taken into consideration during the design. Since it is known that average speeds on this road are being exceeded the city must take measures to ensure that the construction tolerances will result in a reduction of speed well before the cross walk or accept liability if in the event of an incident the design is found faulty for failure to include all available relevant data. The question - what measures are being taken to ensure vehicle speed reduction prior to the cross walk. A solid suggestion is to combine your current plan with a traffic light and signage or a blinking light ahead of the cross walk to alert drivers of cross walk use, or alternatively place additional medians on the west side of 20th before the crossing. on Facebook Share The studies and construciton plan must show lane width tolerances on each side of the median that ensure a reduction in vehicle speeds. This road is heavily trafficked with studies showing that existing speed limits are on average being exceeded - the known fact of average speeds exceeding the limits must be taken into consideration during the design. Since it is known that average speeds on this road are being exceeded the city must take measures to ensure that the construction tolerances will result in a reduction of speed well before the cross walk or accept liability if in the event of an incident the design is found faulty for failure to include all available relevant data. The question - what measures are being taken to ensure vehicle speed reduction prior to the cross walk. A solid suggestion is to combine your current plan with a traffic light and signage or a blinking light ahead of the cross walk to alert drivers of cross walk use, or alternatively place additional medians on the west side of 20th before the crossing. on Twitter Share The studies and construciton plan must show lane width tolerances on each side of the median that ensure a reduction in vehicle speeds. This road is heavily trafficked with studies showing that existing speed limits are on average being exceeded - the known fact of average speeds exceeding the limits must be taken into consideration during the design. Since it is known that average speeds on this road are being exceeded the city must take measures to ensure that the construction tolerances will result in a reduction of speed well before the cross walk or accept liability if in the event of an incident the design is found faulty for failure to include all available relevant data. The question - what measures are being taken to ensure vehicle speed reduction prior to the cross walk. A solid suggestion is to combine your current plan with a traffic light and signage or a blinking light ahead of the cross walk to alert drivers of cross walk use, or alternatively place additional medians on the west side of 20th before the crossing. on Linkedin Email The studies and construciton plan must show lane width tolerances on each side of the median that ensure a reduction in vehicle speeds. This road is heavily trafficked with studies showing that existing speed limits are on average being exceeded - the known fact of average speeds exceeding the limits must be taken into consideration during the design. Since it is known that average speeds on this road are being exceeded the city must take measures to ensure that the construction tolerances will result in a reduction of speed well before the cross walk or accept liability if in the event of an incident the design is found faulty for failure to include all available relevant data. The question - what measures are being taken to ensure vehicle speed reduction prior to the cross walk. A solid suggestion is to combine your current plan with a traffic light and signage or a blinking light ahead of the cross walk to alert drivers of cross walk use, or alternatively place additional medians on the west side of 20th before the crossing. link

    The studies and construciton plan must show lane width tolerances on each side of the median that ensure a reduction in vehicle speeds. This road is heavily trafficked with studies showing that existing speed limits are on average being exceeded - the known fact of average speeds exceeding the limits must be taken into consideration during the design. Since it is known that average speeds on this road are being exceeded the city must take measures to ensure that the construction tolerances will result in a reduction of speed well before the cross walk or accept liability if in the event of an incident the design is found faulty for failure to include all available relevant data. The question - what measures are being taken to ensure vehicle speed reduction prior to the cross walk. A solid suggestion is to combine your current plan with a traffic light and signage or a blinking light ahead of the cross walk to alert drivers of cross walk use, or alternatively place additional medians on the west side of 20th before the crossing.

    Schauffele asked over 3 years ago

    The median to be built for crossing at Urban Drive will extend the narrow design of the road in this area, which is effective in reducing vehicle speeds. It will also provide a safer crossing, particularly for children and older adults because they can cross one lane at a time and lower their exposure time to vehicles by more than half. The islands close to this crossing already reduce speeds in this section of 20th Avenue. The city’s speed studies along 20th show that the majority of speeds through this segment by the existing islands remains slightly below the posted speed limit.

    The city has examined using a flashing beacon but found that a better solution was to relocate the crosswalk to the corner of Urban Drive because this is a location motorists expect to see pedestrians and pedestrians are currently crossing. Traffic signals used in the wrong locations can actually decrease safety, and that is occurring in the current mid-block crossing. The signal has become a liability to safety and a source of danger because motorists are overlooking it and failing to stop when it turns red. Warning beacons are reserved for school crossings that are heavily used by students. Without pedestrians present regularly at crossings, these beacons become overlooked. If a traffic signal isn’t working to stop drivers, the warning beacon isn’t going to be any more effective.