Arguably the worst place for walkers in the entire city is Grant Line Road from Beechwood to Wal-mart, where recently I saw a man, woman and baby carriage walking with traffic (not against it) in the stretch where 45 m.p.h. automotive speeds are not uncommon.
Back to the historic core, where I nominate two. Please tell us yours.
First, the intersection of East Spring and Vincennes. There are two streets with big automotive traffic volumes and very little speed enforcement (we simply don't do that in New Albany), three corner businesses generating traffic and walkers (Walgreen's, White Castle and Rally's), a high school just down the way ... and a place where the signals aren't usually trustworthy alone for a safe crossing.
Second, the enduringly thought-provoking spot where West 1st crosses E. Spring to become Hauss (there is no) Square (there). Traffic barrels unimpeded toward the interstate from the Spring-State intersection, usually increasing speeds to make the light at Scribner Drive, past a spot where a dozen legal offices and the public library lie across the street from both local and federal government buildings. There is not even the pretense of a crosswalk, and some of the most amusing (as well as harrowing) spectacles I've ever seen are government employees -- up to and including city council members -- balancing their Big Gulps as they dodge flying cars and trucks to try to cross to the City County Building.
You can't help thinking: They see the problem, they experience the problem, years go past ... and absolutely nothing is done. Then, as we talk about walkability, the topic is greeted with blank faces.
If not for dysfunction, we'd have no function at all.
Two rapidly developing trouble spots are nearby, on Main Street. I've already hectored the somnolent Rosenbargerite "planning" cadres about the intersection of W. 1st and Main, by The Exchange, Seeds and Greens and the YMCA.
The next accident waiting to happen is the intersection of Bank and Main, where quite soon the new commercial buildings on the southwest side will be filled with tenants, while facing them across Main are Primo's and Bread & Breakfast, among others.
Throughout 2014, the mantra has been consistent: We cannot address what we see with our own eyes each and every day until the Speck study is completed. To me, this ongoing failure of vision is the best reason to doubt whether the Speck study will cure the willful blindness.
Which hazardous crossings for walkers are we leaving out?
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