Scottsdale Road at Kierland (Phoenix, Hayden: fence, cost, shoppers)

[UpTownJon]

Not too long ago when they opened up the Scottsdale Quarter they installed a crosswalk to get from Kierland Commons, across Scottsdale road to the Quarter. Have you driven by? Anyone else feel like this was a bad idea on several levels?

I think a bridge or tunnel would be a better option than attempting to stop traffic on a major road.

[43north87west]

A bridge or tunnel at Kierland would have been nice, but the crosswalk works fine (even though there are crosswalks on either side of that block anyway. Also, with a bridge or tunnel, it would need to have ramps or escalators. This way it doesn't.

[UpTownJon]

I'm guessing it will happen in due time.

[43north87west]

Possible that both sides of Scottsdale Rd. are connected eventually, especially if additional high density residential development is completed in the area, and both retail areas remain busy.

What's more likely in the short term, is that the crosswalk is simply timed with the lights at both Greenway and Kierland Blvd/Greenway-Hayden Loop, if not already done (I haven't personally checked it).

[exit2lef]

When pedestrian bridges or tunnels are built, people usually have to be forced to use them. Most pedestrians want to follow the most direct path, and going up a ramp or staircase doesn't meet that description. The tunnel under Camelback Road connecting Biltmore Fashion Park and the Esplanade sees relatively little use given the cost, and the city has had to make it mandatory by putting a fence along the street between 26th and 24th streets. Crosswalks with signals make more sense because they are usually aligned with the most logical and direct route for pedestrians.

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by UpTownJon

Anyone else feel like this was a bad idea on several levels?

but the crosswalk is only on one level.....(ha ha)....I'm sure drivers like you and me hate getting stopped there for just some shoppers/tourists when we hit it at the wrong time....

I've driven by, and walked across, that crosswalk a few times....bridges and tunnels are more expensive, of course....the various power guys and gals down at Biltmore/Esplanade were able to lobby Phoenix to help them build the pedestrian tunnel under Camelback......also, the Biltmore logistics lends itself more to a tunnel since the destinations on each side of Camelback are set well a ways from the road...at Kierland/SQ, the shopping/eating begins within just a few feet of the road....the controlled crosswalk is certainly needed as there is a lot of pedestrian traffic there....

maybe a couple deaths will prompt them to build a tunnel or bridge??....

[observer53]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

but the crosswalk is only on one level.....(ha ha)....I'm sure drivers like you and me hate getting stopped there for just some shoppers/tourists when we hit it at the wrong time....

I've driven by, and walked across, that crosswalk a few times....bridges and tunnels are more expensive, of course....the various power guys and gals down at Biltmore/Esplanade were able to lobby Phoenix to help them build the pedestrian tunnel under Camelback......also, the Biltmore logistics lends itself more to a tunnel since the destinations on each side of Camelback are set well a ways from the road...at Kierland/SQ, the shopping/eating begins within just a few feet of the road....the controlled crosswalk is certainly needed as there is a lot of pedestrian traffic there....

maybe a couple deaths will prompt them to build a tunnel or bridge??....

Unfortunately, that's what led to the Camelback/Biltmore one being built.

[Steve-o]

I would prefer they built a tunnel/walkway to the crosswalk, only because pedestrians trip the light during rush hour, and its not uncommon for cars to be stuck in the intersection at Butherus, which can create a bit of a headache for rush hour traffic.

[new2colo]

Yes, the crosswalk is terrible. Traffic almost backs up into the preceding intersections due to this stupidity. Shoppers should be forced into a tunnel or on an overpass if they want to cross. It is completely asinine for traffic on a major road that handles the volume that Scottsdale Road does to have to yield for pedestrians so close to two normal intersections. The worst is the oblivious people who just wander out into the road or cross like snails.

[HX_Guy]

I wonder how many people would balk at the millions it would cost to build a bridge or tunnel. The crosswalk is fine. Traffic in cities happen.