Who to Contact About Dangerous/Awkward Intersections? (Oakland, Penn: safety, bill)

[Impala26]

Pretty much what the title says. I have been concerned with the lack of walk signals, short light cycles, long crosswalks, and dangerous intersections at the Boulevard of the Allies in Oakland. I also encountered other awkward, confusing, and dangerous intersections throughout the area I think could be improved for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

My inclination is to contact 311, but I feel raising those issues there could go entirely ignored. The 311 service is probably limited at best to deal with these sorts of suggestions. I wonder if I'm better off contacting a traffic engineer or city planner directly instead.

Anyone have any ideas as to what might be the most effective thing to do?

[Hopes]

It seems that dangerous intersections only get improved after people get injured.

311 would be a waste of your time. Write a letter to the traffic engineer, city planner, and the Mayor.

Write a real letter, not an email. Real letters are more formal. I think emails are taken less seriously.

[toosie]

We've had success dealing with our city councilman, Bill Peduto, also - specifically for an intersection issue. He is district 8 and much, but not all, of Blvd of Allies is in his district.

[hnsq]

EDIT: deleting my post...contacting the local rep. is better advice than what I posted!

[BrianTH]

I agree with toosie--this is exactly the sort of thing which your local representatives are supposed to help you with.

[Hopes]

I agree. Much better advice!

The local counselman is definitely the way to go. Even the state rep can be effective.

The state reps are who have gotten us traffic lights at intersections in the suburbs.

[fleetiebelle]

The Oakland community development group might be good, too: Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (http://oaklandplanning.org/new/ - broken link)

I'm actually thinking about contacting my rep about putting a guard rail up on the corner of my street. There's a set of city steps, and the handrail is bent at about a 45 degree angle from so many cars sliding into it during the winter.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Hopes

The local counselman is definitely the way to go. Even the state rep can be effective. The state reps are who have gotten us traffic lights at intersections in the suburbs.

Yep, I'm never clear on who does what when it comes to street issues, and neither is anyone else, so you should just contact both your city and state reps.

[mjost7]

Yes, contacting your political representatives is the way to go. They can help put funding in place for safety improvements.

You might also read the PennDOT and FHWA design standards so you can be specific with your safety improvement requests.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Yep, I'm never clear on who does what when it comes to street issues, and neither is anyone else, so you should just contact both your city and state reps.

It probably depends on who owns and mantains the road---the state, the city, township, etc. If you contact everyone, I'm you'll be quickly pointed in the right direction.