Commissioner urges urgent safety fixes on Gallatin after pedestrian killed; executive committee to draft letter

Commissioner Pastorak told the Metro Human Relations Commission on May 5 that a pedestrian was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler near Trinity and Gallatin earlier that afternoon and pressed city leaders to accelerate safety work on that corridor.

"This is because our roads are not safe. Period," Pastorak said, describing multiple recent pedestrian and cyclist fatalities across the city and saying promised redesign work for Gallatin has been delayed. Pastorak said the all-access corridor that was to include bike lanes and bus lanes will not be completed until late 2030 and that Vision Zero funds are being used to repave and restripe Gallatin "in its current format," rather than build the safer, multimodal corridor residents were promised.

The commission discussed next steps for translating the concern into formal action. Several commissioners asked that the Office prepare a draft letter urging expedited safety improvements and equitable prioritization of people walking, biking and using transit. Staff and commission leaders agreed to draft a letter and present it to the Executive Committee for rapid review; if timing permits, the Executive Committee will forward the recommendation and a proposed final letter to the full commission for adoption. Attorney Derek advised that any interim communication sent by a committee should clearly state it is from the Executive Committee unless the full commission subsequently adopts it.

Pastorak framed the issue as one of equity and public health, noting that safety improvements have been concentrated downtown while other neighborhoods continue to suffer dangerous conditions. "I need the city to take action now," Pastorak said, adding that improvements such as dedicated bike lanes, wider medians and safer bus stops are within local control on city-owned stretches of Gallatin.

Staff asked commissioners with relevant data to forward it to staff so the Executive Committee can incorporate factual backing into the draft. Commissioners also discussed timing related to the mayor's budget book release and the possibility of sending interim committee-level comments to get the concern before council and budget staff sooner.

No formal commission-wide vote adopting a letter was recorded at the meeting; the record shows the plan to prepare a draft for the Executive Committee and to bring a final version to the full commission when feasible.