To the Editor:
I’m responding to Rhonwyn Ullmann’s letter advocating that the city change the lights to allow an all-cross pedestrian light at Grand/McFarland/Main Highway. I approached the city many years ago, suggesting this same solution. The response was that the traffic engineers didn’t want to slow down auto traffic. I don’t think it would, but no matter, they weren’t interested because what they care about is cars, not pedestrians. It’s a ridiculously and unnecessarily dangerous intersection because cars and pedestrians both disregard the lights. I would think that Grove business interests would welcome anything that make it easier for pedestrians to get to their businesses. Please press for this.
Debra Dean
Coconut Grove
I agree. This intersection is confusing for pedestrians. The crossing lights often appear broken due to excessive wait times for crossing. The solution of having all pedestrians cross at once is a great solution. This intersection is at least 20% busier because it forces drivers to go through it to loop back through the Grove due to the closure of Fuller Street to automobiles. Rather than using this shortcut to get to Main Highway from Grand, drivers must often pass through this busy intersection twice.
It’s time to make this issue a priority, as it affects so many Grove residents and visitors.
I don’t believe that will deter pedestrians from standing in the street, chatting with friends, while waiting for the light to change or remove their eyes from their iPhones, while they aimlessly walk down the sidewalk and onto the street!
Brilliant idea.