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Residents urge Highland City to fix dangerous Canal Boulevard crossing at 6180 West
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Summary
Residents told the council the Canal Boulevard crossing at 6180 West is unsafe for children and pedestrians, citing near-misses, high speeds, poor sight lines and a 2023 traffic study that recommended physical calming measures; council said the issue will be discussed in upcoming East–West connector meetings and staff follow-ups.
Dozens of Highland residents pressed the City Council on March 3 to make pedestrian safety upgrades at the Canal Boulevard intersection near 6180 West, saying the crossing is hazardous for children and other walkers.
“Cars were coming past me as I was in the middle of the road with my three little children,” Taylor Cutler said. “Neither of those cars stopped.” Alexandra (last name not given) told the council she had circulated a portion of the 2023 Canal Boulevard traffic study and said the study recommended bulb-outs or other pedestrian measures at the stretch that includes 6180 West; she said the neighborhood has not seen the recommended treatments while other sections of the boulevard received improvements.
Other speakers described similar experiences: Jenny Brinkerhoff said her children have had near-misses from distracted drivers, Cheyenne Healy noted an unpainted crosswalk and increased traffic since 2020, and Abby Loosely described drivers passing in unsafe locations near a dip in the road. Several residents said they would welcome enforcement but want permanent traffic-calming infrastructure such as stop signs, speed bumps, or center islands.
Mayor Bills and other council members said the concern is already on the council’s radar. Council Member Rice noted there will be additional discussion tied to the city’s East–West connector agenda item and encouraged residents to attend the March 24 meeting. City staff also said they will coordinate follow-up and that residents can email council or staff for a walking tour at the intersection.
The council did not take immediate action at the meeting; staff work and agenda items were scheduled to further evaluate Canal Boulevard improvements and traffic-calming options.
The council plans future agenda time to review East–West connector data and potential design responses; residents were urged to share photos and specific locations with staff to help target any interventions.
