Charlottesville Plans to be More Pedestrian Friendly

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Updated: 11:19 AM Sep 3, 2008 Charlottesville Plans to be More Pedestrian Friendly Tuesday, planners told Charlottesville leaders how to make the city more foot-friendly. Posted: 10:37 PM Sep 2, 2008 Reporter: Cheryn Stone Email Address: cheryn.stone@wcav.tv

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September 2, 2008

Tuesday, planners told Charlottesville leaders how to make the city more foot-friendly.

Several months ago, the city appointed a committee to review pedestrian safety issues in the downtown area and around the university. Tuesday, City Council approved the report.

Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris says, "instead of thinking of it as a place where cars are king...really change and turn that on it's head and say this is a pedestrian zone."

The plans include more public education, enforcement, and physical improvements to crosswalks, ramps, and traffic signals.

"Even if that means making a little less convenient for cars, we want to make it as safe as possible for people who are walking...wheel chairs, limited mobility, etc.," Norris adds.

Colette Hall, North Downtown Neighborhood Association President, says, "I'm not saying what the committee has come up with in recommendations are not good ideas, they are good ideas, but did the neighborhood have input? No."

Mayor Norris says they'll start with changes in the heavily traveled areas like West Main, Water Street, and around the university.

The next phase, is to spread the study to all intersections in the city limits.

This will be a $700,000 project, but it will not require any new funding. The money is already in the budget.

Planners are hoping to have the improvements in place in the next few months.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Brenda on Sep 3, 2008 at 07:53 AM

I think it is admirable that the city council wishes to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the streets; however, I hope they realize that the efforts and newly installed equipment will only work if pedestrians read. I witness every day in Charlottesville pedestrians crossing when the "do not walk" light is engaged. They could care less what the light says. They look both ways and unless a car is upon them, they go right across the street. Lots of luck.

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