City Officials Announce Safety Improvement Plan for Midtown, West End Corridors

City Officials Announce Safety Improvement Plan for Midtown, West End Corridors

In an effort to curb the rise in traffic fatalities, officials from Atlanta’s Department of Transportation have announced a significant safety improvement plan for the city’s Midtown and West End corridors. The project, valued at $8 million targets a 14-block stretch of Juniper Street in Midtown identified as one of Atlanta’s most dangerous corridors.

An Action Plan to Address Fatalities

After a worrying trend of 100 traffic fatalities on Atlanta city streets just in the span of three years, the Department of Transportation Commissioner Solomon Caviness made it clear that steps are being taken to counter these alarming statistics. These measures form part of a broader citywide initiative – the ‘Vision Zero Action Plan’ aimed at bringing the number of fatalities resulting from traffic accidents to zero.

Dangerous Corridors in Focus

The ‘Vision Zero Action Plan’ has identified Juniper Street along with Lee Street in Atlanta’s West End as the most dangerous corridors in the city. As John Saxton, part of ATL DOT’s mobility planning division shared, these two streets account for a significant 73 percent of fatalities and severe injuries in Atlanta. An astonishing 620 accidents were recorded on Juniper Street alone from early 2018 to mid-2022, which translates to more than one accident every three days.

Proposed Improvements for Juniper Street

Preliminary measures such as reducing the speed limit and adding LED streetlights have already resulted in a considerable 23% decrease in fatalities on Juniper Street. However, acknowledging that more needs to be done, Caviness said further enhancements are being planned, including wider sidewalks, improved pedestrian crossings, more efficient traffic signals, and a dedicated bike lane with a physical barrier to afford better protection for cyclists.

Upcoming Changes for Lee Street

Similar to Juniper Street, Lee Street will see its existing barriers near the West End MARTA station replaced, with the project expected to kick off in 2026. These improvements are eagerly anticipated by city residents who frequently use Lee Street, such as Akeem Williams, a regular scooter rider who shared his concerns about navigating alongside larger vehicles on the road.

Progress on Safety Measures

The endeavor to enhance safety on Atlanta city streets is a deeply personal one for DOT employees. This commitment is underscored by the unfortunate loss of their colleague, Kimberly Sergeant, the first ‘Vision Zero’ manager in 2021, in an incident much like those the department aims to prevent. The construction of bike lanes on Juniper Street is slated to be completed by December 2024, marking a significant stride forward in the city’s efforts to ensure safer streets for its residents.