City leaders push for safer streets amid rising crash rates

During a recent city council meeting, members discussed a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility on some of the city's most hazardous streets. Councilmember Ghazi Edwin expressed gratitude to colleagues for their efforts and emphasized the importance of engaging with state authorities to ensure that safety measures align with the state's transportation safety and equity goals.

Councilmember Ackman highlighted the alarming trend of increased crashes involving vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, despite an overall decrease in statewide crashes and fatalities. He underscored the urgency of addressing this issue, noting that crashes involving these groups rose by at least 10% in 2023. Ackman expressed hope that the initiative would mark the beginning of a broader effort to create safer roadways for all residents.

Councilman Borodina acknowledged the complexity of the discussions ahead, indicating that the process would require ongoing dialogue with state officials. He mentioned recent conversations with state representatives who are interested in collaborating on the initiative, signaling a potential partnership that could enhance the project's effectiveness.

The council's commitment to improving street safety reflects a growing recognition of the need for infrastructure that accommodates all users, particularly in areas where safety has historically been compromised. The meeting concluded with a call for continued advocacy towards state engagement and support for local safety initiatives.