S. Charlotte St/Biltmore Ave/Southside Ave Intersection (Asheville: appointed, 2015)

[Zooropa]

This intersection at the south edge of downtown is dangerous for pedestrians and has no cross walk lines or a walk/don't walk signal. Having crossed this intersection many times over the years with numerous close calls I was disappointed to find out that it's unlikely to be updated in the near future. Upon a roommate of mine calling the city, we were told there are 11 crosswalk projects ahead of this and none of them have funding or are expected to receive funding in the foreseeable future. Drivers seem to be oblivious to foot traffic and it's particularly bad when walking northbound on the Charlotte St. side of Biltmore Ave. as drivers turning right onto Charlotte St they do not look at all. So frustrating.

[Imhere now]

This is a city wide problem. Asheville leads the state in pedestrian/car accidents. A cross walk is of little help. Last year a woman was killed on Merrimon in the crosswalk. No crossing light there yet. Another woman was killed while walking on the sidewalk on Kimberly Ave on Sunday afternoon. Many streets do not have sidewalks, forcing people to walk in the street. The city has developed a point system for which streets get sidewalks, one factor being pedestrian deaths. There needs to be more APD enforcement of speeders on streets. I've yet to see anyone get a ticket. Asheville is definitely not pedestrian friendly, as the focus has been on tourists in cars and avoiding giving them tickets. http://www.citizen-times.com/story/n...alks/73882138/

[undisputed_truth]

Originally Posted by Imhere now

Last year a woman was killed on Merrimon in the crosswalk.

If you're referring to the incident that happened at Merrimon & Coleman, there was no crosswalk when that occurred. That death is what instigated the DOT to install a crosswalk at that location.

[Zooropa]

It's a shame. After a few close calls as a pedestrian I've become more cautious when driving.

[Carolina Knight]

The intersection leaves more to be desired in regards to safety. I wonder how much safer it can be improved by adding crosswalks and crosswalk signals.

[Imhere now]

Originally Posted by undisputed_truth

If you're referring to the incident that happened at Merrimon & Coleman, there was no crosswalk when that occurred. That death is what instigated the DOT to install a crosswalk at that location.

That was not the case. The crosswalk markings had been paved over and not repainted. The crosswalk was there before she was killed. This article http://www.citizen-times.com/story/n...lity/21508561/ describes how the previously marked crosswalk lines were covered over. There were crosswalk signs and and on the other side of Merrimon the lines were still there. The lines were repainted in high intensity paint. Still there is no crosswalk signal light for those trying to cross the street to catch the bus, which was what this woman was trying to do. There is no defense for what happened to her. On the other hand, the city could have insured that the crosswalk lines on that side were repainted the day the paving was completed. It was this woman's death that led to the limited improvements.