During a recent government meeting, significant discussions centered around proposed safety upgrades at the intersection of West Penn Street and Greenwich Avenue, following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for improvements to enhance pedestrian safety in the area, which has been described as hazardous for years.

The proposal includes design modifications such as changes to signalization, pedestrian intervals, and the addition of a stop sign at West 10th Street and Waverly Place. These changes aim to address longstanding safety concerns exacerbated by increased traffic and pedestrian activity in the neighborhood, particularly due to nearby restaurants and delivery services.

Alexis Tsikas, a representative from Families for Safe Streets, emphasized that the recent fatality could have been prevented with better safety measures. She outlined three key challenges at the intersection: speeding vehicles, poor visibility for pedestrians, and inadequate traffic signal timing. Tsikas and her colleagues proposed several interventions, including raised crosswalks, daylighting to improve visibility, and leading pedestrian intervals that would allow pedestrians to enter the intersection before vehicles.

Jack Greenwood from Transportation Alternatives supported these recommendations, noting that similar measures have successfully reduced pedestrian injuries in other locations. He highlighted the importance of implementing a stop sign at a nearby intersection to slow down traffic before it reaches the more dangerous crossing.

Committee members expressed their condolences for the loss of life and questioned why such changes often occur only after tragedies. They sought clarity on the costs associated with the proposed safety measures and discussed the feasibility of implementing them collectively rather than individually.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the proposed changes and their potential impact on pedestrian safety, with the hope of preventing future incidents at this critical intersection.