Here’s when, where you can share input on pedestrian safety in Macon-Bibb
Macon-Bibb County is set to apply for up to $6 million in funding to improve pedestrian safety, but it wants the public’s input on how that money could be used.
The county’s Traffic Engineering department would like the public’s help guiding its decision-making process when applying for grants.
The grants are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy and Macon-Bibb’s Vision Zero strategy. It will be used to focus on East Macon around Gray Highway.
About 7% of crashes involving a pedestrian in Macon in recent years resulted in the pedestrian dying, compared to 5% statewide, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, which covers 2018 to 2022. Using data from 2011 to 2015, the state found that four pedestrians died on Gray Highway and five were seriously injured.
Weston Stroud, traffic safety manager, said the county has a strong case to make safer alternative routes for people to get around the area, and people’s input can highlight their experience with safety and traffic in those locations.
“We want to connect the stores in the area to the apartments and homes to Northeast High and Appling Middle schools with sidewalks, multi-use trails, and safer paths,” he said. “Every person deserves to safely access all their community has to offer, whether that’s school, work, stores, entertainment, or other local entities.”
He said the grant will also help with funding for sidewalks along Gray Highway from Shurling Drive to Old Clinton Road and Woodlawn Drive.
The people closest to the issue are usually those closest to a solution, and the county wants its solutions to be based on actual need and to include the voices of the people impacted, Stroud said.
“Working with the state, talking to neighborhoods, and applying for these grants can help us directly improve the safety for people all the way from McAfee Towers to Northeast High School,” he said.
A forum was scheduled to be held at the Middle Georgia Regional Commission located at 175 Emery Highway Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., allowing residents a chance to voice concerns in person.
There is also a survey available on the county’s website, which will remain live through May 17.
“This approach to safety will show people we aren’t looking at band-aid solutions, that we’re truly trying to make the area safer,” Stroud said. “We encourage everyone to participate in the survey so we can capture as much data as possible - that will allow us to better consider all perspectives on pedestrian safety in the area.”
