In the name of street safety, Boulder has officially wrapped up the construction and upgrade of three crosswalks aimed to shield all those hoofing it about, particularly the young and old moving to and from no less than four schools within the vicinity. This was revealed in a recent announcement, citing that Aurora Avenue at Evans Drive, Colorado Avenue east of 33rd Street, and 15th Street crossed with Iris Avenue have all been blessed with the much-anticipated improvements.
These crosswalks, now beacons of safety, did not blossom into existence by chance but rather as blooms nurtured by a grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). Gerrit Slatter, Principal Transportation Projects Engineer, states, "Crosswalks are more than paint on the pavement. They provide better visibility for people driving to see our most vulnerable travelers cross, making travel around Boulder safer for all who can’t drive or choose not to," as per the City of Boulder.
The choice spots for these upgrades weren't shot in the dark but were inspired by community calls for safer passage. They're also keystones in Boulder's Vision Zero commitment to put an end to serious crashes and were cherry-picked based on a meshwork of transportation initiatives including, the results of the 30th and Colorado Corridors Study and the Neighborhood GreenStreets Program.
With these new projects, pedestrians will find their way illuminated by flashing lights, newly installed curb ramps adhering to ADA compliances, refreshing signage, and concrete curbs jutting just a little further into the street to cut down on crossing time. In addition, bike enthusiasts see their path linked directly to these crossings, and some of the school zones have been stretched like a canvas to encompass these safe harbors. Grant funding has been a financial windfall, allowing the city to extend its budget for constructing, and maintaining a safer infrastructure, as reported by the City of Boulder.
