Pedestrian crosswalks across 29N? (Lynchburg, Harrisonburg: buy, utilities, to live)

[SpitefulBadger]

So I've lived here a few years, and something I've never come to understand is why there are no pedestrian crosswalks across the busy shopping sections of US route 29N, for example by the Fashion Square Mall? Is there some kind of law or regulation against putting crosswalks across state highways in Virginia?

[emsman]

There's no law against putting one in. My only guesses would be not enough pedestrian traffic to justify them, or VDOT felt they were not needed for some reason. Sounds like a good question for VDOT or the Albemarle County government.

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by SpitefulBadger

So I've lived here a few years, and something I've never come to understand is why there are no pedestrian crosswalks across the busy shopping sections of US route 29N, for example by the Fashion Square Mall? Is there some kind of law or regulation against putting crosswalks across state highways in Virginia?

Seminole Dr. is a US highway as opposed to a state highway. Crosswalks might be nice, but they would just add to the pressure that is being exerted on VDOT to start the bypass.

[SpitefulBadger]

Originally Posted by sregorat3

Crosswalks might be nice, but they would just add to the pressure that is being exerted on VDOT to start the bypass.

Ah, this sounds like a possible motivation for delaying their implementation, giving the contentious nature of that subject.

It still bugs me that there are no crosswalks every time I see some poor soul trying to dart across 5 lanes of 45 mph traffic.

[emsman]

Maybe it's their way of boosting public transportation.... Ride the bus if you want to live .

I know, I know... it's not funny if someone gets hit. But your right, it's a hell of a dash across when the light turns green.

[badger74]

They are expensive but Lynchburg was able to build one in a similar location.

Wards Road Pedestrian Bridge | Banker Steel

[ShadowBat]

I personally think crossing 29 on foot is a bad idea. It's already enough of a death trap. Don't need to add in another variable. I do like the idea of putting a pedestrian bridge over the road, however figuring out the location would be difficult. I've seen most people crossing around Fashion Square Mall the most, so maybe there. Another option is to maybe build a tunnel under 29 at certain areas like what Harrisonburg did around JMU. But it would probably be too expensive and would make everyone have a hissy fit like with the 29 bypass.

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by ShadowBat

I personally think crossing 29 on foot is a bad idea. It's already enough of a death trap. Don't need to add in another variable. I do like the idea of putting a pedestrian bridge over the road, however figuring out the location would be difficult. I've seen most people crossing around Fashion Square Mall the most, so maybe there. Another option is to maybe build a tunnel under 29 at certain areas like what Harrisonburg did around JMU. But it would probably be too expensive and would make everyone have a hissy fit like with the 29 bypass.

Tunnels aren't a bad option, but for the utilities that follow or are under road surfaces. To echo badger, Liberty U in Lynchburg is rather landlocked between a very wide US 460 and 2-16 railroad tracks. They have tunneled under bot US 460 AND the active railroad without impeding traffic at all. They are now beginning a project to tunnel under 6 tracks with two parallel two lane tunnels; rail traffic will never be stopped during the process. It is also less costly than the pedestrian bridge across Wards Rd.. The big issue then, is to direct pedestrian traffic to specific crossings, which Lynchburg is doing by fencing the center of US 29.

[badger74]

The major advantage for bridges over tunnels would be that they feel safer. Tunnels at night can be very scary--and for good reasons. Harder to be bad when 1000's of cars are going right by. But I also think it is harder to get people to use bridges--many will still just take their chances--hence the new fences going up in L to force complicance.

[usuario]

Originally Posted by emsman

Maybe it's their way of boosting public transportation.... Ride the bus if you want to live .

There's no bus that takes you across the street from Fashion Square. The message is more like: Buy a car!