Traffic Light Removal at Maynard and Summit

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by

SoHud Block Watch
in
Residents of all ages, from infancy through retirement, gathered to send the City of Columbus the message that "Our Safety Warrants Consideration" and ask that the City of Columbus take pedestrian traffic into consideration before they remove the traffic signal beside the Maynard-Summit children's park.
Residents of all ages, from infancy through retirement, gathered to send the City of Columbus the message that “Our Safety Warrants Consideration” and ask that the City of Columbus take pedestrian traffic into consideration before they remove the traffic signal beside the Maynard-Summit children’s park.

Our Safety Warrants Consideration

On July 19th, at least 68 residents of the area gathered in the Maynard-Summit Park to petition the City of Columbus to re-evaluate its plan to remove the traffic light at the intersection of East Maynard Ave. and Summit St.   A public records request revealed that the City opted not to consider pedestrian use when determining whether the stoplight would meet the warrants mandated by Federal Law.  Residents are petitioning the City to consider pedestrian use before removing the light, and will be contacting U.S. Representatives, as well.

Dispatch newspaper article about Traffic Light Rally

The Columbus Dispatch published a small piece on the rally. “Residents Oppose Removing Signals”

 

Can I Help?

Why, YES, you can help! 😉  Next steps for residents will be:

  • Sending copies of the petitions to 1) Dept of Public Safety, 2) City Council
  • Phone calling & emailing campaign (the goal stated today was 150 people) to Tricia Fought, head of this particular stoplight project for the City of Columbus, at:
    (614) 645-3972
    PRFought@columbus.gov
    Patricia R. Fought, P.E., PTOE.
    City of Columbus, 50 W. Gay Street, Columbus, OH, 43215.
  • Getting permission to hang signs in the laundromat to let the public know what is happening and who to contact about this.
  • Contacting Joyce Beatty, a U.S. Representative, with our concerns that the spirit of the federal law is not being met in this circumstance. The law is aimed at assuring that public safety is protected with appropriate traffic controls, while minimizing unnecessary controls.
  • Also – if you feel the Columbus Dispatch did not accurately reflect your concerns in their news item published on July 20, 2015 – please write a letter to the editor that includes your concerns.
  • Once the lights are switched to flashing yellow signals (phase 1 of the removal process), we will work together to gather our own data to present to the city, such as:
    —Timing how long we have to wait for a safe opportunity to cross the street.
    —Tracking speed of vehicles through the intersection.
    —Videoing what it is like to cross the street during high traffic times.
    —While we hope there will be NO accidents, we will be advising the city if there are any.
Other ideas are welcome!