A new roundup of Walkability Wins. This month we’re showcasing the movement by highlighting more places across the country who are transforming mobility and advancing pedestrian-friendly agendas.
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Jonesboro is set to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety through a $500,000 grant awarded by the Transportation Alternatives Program. This funding will be used to develop new pedestrian infrastructure on the Marion Berry Parkway overpass, creating a secure, well-lit pathway that will connect Arkansas State University and downtown Jonesboro. The project will improve accessibility and quality of life, and reflects a strong collaboration between the city and community.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
A University of New Mexico student, Jackie Davis, noticed a risky pedestrian crossing near her campus and decided to take action. After observing heavy foot traffic near Central Avenue and Buena Vista Drive, Davis gathered data and presented it to the Albuquerque City Council, highlighting the need for a crosswalk. Her efforts led to schedule a meeting with the city’s Department of Municipal Department to discuss potential safety improvements at the intersection, demonstrating how individual initiative can influence planning and safety in communities.
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville has introduced the Vision Zero plan, which aims to eliminate pedestrian fatalities. The city has seen a high incidence of traffic crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists. As Jacksonville implements Vision Zero, they will focus on improving the infrastructure at high-risk intersections, upgrading crosswalks and enhancing bike lanes. The plan involves temporary quick-build projects to gauge effectiveness and gather community feedback. Collaborations include working with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, the Florida Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement to ensure comprehensive coverage of both state and local roads.
Portland, Oregon
Depave is making significant strides to transform the intersection of Southeast Seventh Avenue and Sandy Boulevard into a permanent, car-free plaza. Through the support of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), successful community engagement and temporary activations that showcased the potential for the space, PBOT facilitated the necessary permits and endorse Depave’s plans to construct the entire plaza in a single phase. Depave was also recently awarded nearly $800,000 grant from Metro’s “Nature in Neighborhoods” program, aiding in their funding efforts.
Denver, Colorado
Voters in Denver passed an initiative aimed to improve the city’s infrastructure and make sidewalks more accessible, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Starting in January, many Denver property owners will pay an annual $150 tax to fund sidewalk repairs. The tax is expected to generate about $40 million yearly, allowing Denver to accelerate their sidewalk repair program. Previously, property owners were responsible for maintaining sidewalks, which often lead to uneven and unsafe conditions. This change shifts the responsibility to the city, aiming to repair all sidewalks across the city within a decade.
To catch up on previous installments of Walkability Wins, visit our blog. Have a win? Send it to us: social@americawalks.org.
