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Road works blind spot

8/21/2013

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'Walk All Streets' Walk Four on August 14, 2013 took us past one of my pet pedestrian peeves.  Roadworks. Specifically road works where solutions to keep motorized traffic moving have been carefully included as part of the works BUT the same has not been done to keep pedestrians moving efficiently nor safely.  Below is a picture of some long term works on Main Street near the Home Depot.  This is a busy area because of the entries/exits to the I-95 and also buses are routed past here.  Note the pedestrian crossing on the far right in the photo that ends in a road works barrier.  At this point, a pedestrian wanting to continue along Main towards the city center has three choices.  
1. Walk along the edge of the roadworks, highly dangerous because the open lane in the photo is a turning lane.
2. Follow the directions (not visible in the photo) to follow the sidewalk to the right and cross lower down and means taking the time to walk three blocks instead of one.  Also dangerous because the sidewalk only continues in the wrong direction and four lanes of road must be crossed to then walk without a sidewalk.
3. Turn left and cross four lanes of traffic to reach the sidewalk on the other side of Main.  Also dangerous.
Picture
Here's the same road works from the other side showing clearly why walking along the edge of the works is NOT a good idea.  What is good is that a brand new sidewalk can be spotted between the two cars in the foreground.  Shame it is still behind a fence.
Picture
And here are the walking conditions if the instructions to pedestrians are followed and pedestrians turn right to find their way around the works.
Picture
Conclusion?  Difficult and dangerous whatever option is chosen and that's for able bodied people.  If you have mobility issues, don't even attempt it.  It is my opinion that any plan approved for road works must contain adequate pedestrian options so people are not dumped into traffic.  The sign found at the end of a street on this same walk, sums it up well.
Picture
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    Author: Nina Arron

    I am an enthusiastic pedestrian, urban planner, and project manager currently living in New Rochelle, New York.  I am grateful to be living in a walkable city with affordable easily accessible public transport (both trains and buses). My appreciation became even greater after spending three years back in New Zealand where  it was much harder to fit daily walking into my life in what is considered one of the great natural, green environments in the world.  

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