Planners Reset West Avenue Crosswalks After Public Pushback
Concrete barriers are gone and refuge islands are smaller as the city responds to complaints about blocked views and emergency vehicle access.
By Yuki Melnyk ·
City planners have removed concrete barriers from crosswalks on West Colorado Avenue in Colorado Springs. They also reduced the size of the center pedestrian refuge areas. These changes follow a year of public feedback on a lane realignment and parking adjustment project.
The initial design included protected crosswalks installed last month. City officials modified the setup after residents reported issues. Ryan Phipps, the capital improvements manager, described the process as an ongoing test of what works in practice. He noted that the city recently adjusted the initial implementation based on real-world performance.
Drivers and pedestrians complained that the temporary concrete barriers blocked sightlines. Phipps explained that the solid walls made it difficult for shorter pedestrians to see oncoming traffic. The barriers are now fully removed from the crosswalks.
First responders also influenced the design changes. Drivers attempting to yield to emergency vehicles sometimes created blockades at the pedestrian refuges. The city scaled back these center areas to ensure fire and police units could move up and down the avenue without obstruction. Phipps stated that the goal was to maintain necessary access for emergency services.
The city views these updates as a tuning process rather than a correction of major errors. Phipps called the current phase a balancing act. The team is using this test period to observe how the revised street design performs for different users.
Local businesses are monitoring the changes closely. Joe Kliche, manager of Centennial Cuts, a Colorado beef shop on the corridor, said the store relies on easy customer access. The business sells beef raised on a third-generation ranch in Fowler, Colorado. It operates a single brick-and-mortar location that serves locals and tourists.
Kliche said he likes the new center lane for parking because it aids loading and unloading. However, he noted that managers expected more additional parking space. His reaction to the new stanchions in the street was mixed, describing them as a little weird. The city is now seeking further public input to evaluate the latest adjustments.
Source: KOAA News5
