One of the city’s most notoriously dangerous intersections is now being remedied. One particular neighborhood resident – by the name of Rachel Jackson – has been trying to draw attention to the hazards of the Parkside-Linden-Depew (and Crescent) conundrum for years, and has now garnered some serious traction. Jackson informed me that GObike Buffalo is in the process of establishing one of its temporary pilot projects, in order to see how automobile drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians will react – and interact – to radical safety changes at the junction.
This intersection has been the bane of existence for a number of families that live close by. In order to navigate the roadway, by bike or by foot, it’s akin to taking one’s life in one’s hands. Back in 2015, I wrote about the dangers of the intersecting roadways, where plenty of accidents have occurred over the years. At the time, one nearby resident told me, “We hear tire screeching and accidents all of the time. Cars hit the embankment walls, other cars, and constantly cross the median. All of these streets and side streets come together in one big sea of asphalt – it’s time that something was done about this mess. This is a residential neighborhood in North Buffalo, where kids and dogs are crossing the streets all of the time.”
The City of Buffalo posted this message, to keep neighbors in the loop:
As noted above, the City has allocated approximately $3 million to this project, for permanent infrastructure upgrades at the intersection, which is not a roundabout. But before permanent work can begin, GObike’s pilot project must be completed, and analyzed. This work includes upgrades to Parkside Avenue, between Amherst and Hertel.
For me, there’s a lot to learn from this project. First and foremost, one voice in the community can be strong enough, for the squeaky wheel gets the grease. In this case, Jackson should be commended for her actions. By beating the drum very loudly (and non-stop), she now has the wheels of change in motion. She has also ensured that countless families in the future – and people in general – will have “safe travels,” no matter their preferred mode of transportation through the intersection.
“I’m proud of this,” Jackson told me. “I’ve worked on it for years. This can be a lesson for other communities, to never give up. I’ve worked with so many people at the City level, and public works, and transportation – many who have come and gone. I’ve had to start from scratch so many times. There were times when I thought that I would be dead before anything would happen [laughing]. Or that my kids would be all grown up and gone from the house. I owe so much to GObike Buffalo – Justin Booth and Kevin Heffernan. And to Jim Jones – when there was a major air quality alert and we were notified that the project would be delayed, I looked out my window and saw Jim out there striping all by himself! He told me that he couldn’t ask the volunteers to join him, but he wasn’t missing the opportunity to do his part. This was a 100% grassroots effort. We have applied for an art installation grant (Asphalt Art grant), for the section of the intersection that we are fighting to be car-free. We’re going to make this intersection safe, and beautiful.”
“The project will include extensive pavement markings that will narrow the vehicular travel lanes, add buffered and protected multi-use pathways and temporary ADA curb ramps connecting to existing sidewalks, protections at the intersection for bicycles, crosswalks and stop lines. GObike’s contract with the GBNRTC for providing assistance implementing the Bike Buffalo Niagara master plan and our expanding role in leading walkability advocacy throughout the region will help strengthen our choices in human powered mobility.” – GObike Buffalo (see project)
Project Partners
Erie County Department of Health
Kelly Asher-Smalt, Community Wellness Coordinator
Erie County Office for People with Disabilities
Frank Cammarata, Executive Director
GBNRTC
Kelly Dixon, Principal Planner
City of Buffalo
Councilmember Joel Feroleto – Delaware