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After June fatality, NDOT outlines short‑term countermeasures on Third Avenue North
Summary
NDOT staff reviewed a June fatal pedestrian crash on Third Avenue North and detailed near‑term safety measures including a pedestrian hybrid beacon funded in partnership with Metro Water, raised crosswalk designs, rumble strips and signage; commissioners sought MNPD fatal crash report and asked whether PHB met MUTCD criteria.
Val Martinez, a planner and division coordinator with the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT), updated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission on the June 8 fatal crash on Third Avenue North near Van Buren Street.
Martinez read elements of the MNPD preliminary report and summarized a three‑year crash history on Third Avenue North between Coffey and Jefferson Street: staff reported 33 crashes in that period, four involving pedestrians, two serious injuries, one fatality and one pedicycle crash. Martinez said staff are pursuing short‑term measures including tree trimming, temporary rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons (RRFBs), pedestrian‑yield signage, temporary stop signs, rumble strips, and design for at least three raised crosswalks. NDOT staff said Metro Water has agreed to fund part of a pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) at the Greenway connection site; the PHB was described as more costly and requiring coordination with adjacent signals.
Commissioners questioned why a PHB was chosen for this location rather than lower‑cost raised crosswalks and whether MUTCD guidelines and traffic/pedestrian volume thresholds were met; NDOT said the PHB was pursued because Metro Water committed funding and because the team is also designing raised crossings—no construction funding has yet been allocated for those raised crossings. Commissioners also asked for access to MNPD fatal crash team reports; NDOT said the initial report is shared internally and they would check whether a copy could be provided to the commission.
NDOT said design work for the raised crossings is expected to complete by winter or spring next year but that construction funds have not been identified and would rely on future capital programs.
Next steps: NDOT to share the initial crash investigation findings and recommendations with the commission and to continue design work for raised crossings while coordinating implementation funding.
