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Residents Pressure Council To Tackle Pedestrian Safety on Short Canal Boulevard Stretch
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Summary
Residents urged Highland City Council to prioritize pedestrian safety on a short, residential segment of Canal Boulevard, citing children walking to school, poor visibility at sunset, and that data does not reflect localized hazards. Staff said traffic-calming and a potential pedestrian island at Mitchell Hollow Trail are under consideration.
Alexander Grunewald and other neighbors told Highland City Council they are worried about a short, residential section of Canal Boulevard where children walk to school and sun glare reduces visibility.
"This intersection poses a safety risk to my children and others in the community," Alexander Grunewald said, urging council members to ‘‘drive through our small stretch with fresh eyes as if you or your children lived there’’. Taylor Cutler, who also lives in the neighborhood, said the sun sets along the road and reduces visibility for drivers and pedestrians at dusk.
City staff said their traffic studies show elevated 80th‑percentile speeds on several corridors, and that 9600 North in particular had speeds more than six miles per hour above the posted limit. Staff outlined near-term measures for Canal Boulevard and 9600 North that include new LED stop signs, driver‑feedback speed displays, a veil/coat pavement treatment followed by restriping to narrow lanes, and consideration of a pedestrian island near Mitchell Hollow Trail to improve crossings.
Council members praised resident engagement and urged staff to phase and monitor calming measures. Councilmember Courtney recommended phasing actions—apply paint and striping first, observe effects for several weeks, then install additional devices—so the city can measure which steps have the most impact.
Staff said some interventions are ready to deploy and that they will return with a refined phasing plan and priority list for council review. The council asked staff to include where the measures rank in the city’s traffic‑toolbox so councilors can see the intended priorities.
