Because of safety concerns, the city of Northglenn will remove the mid-block crossing on 112th Avenue by the Global Village Academy.
City Council came to a consensus during its Feb. 3 study session to remove the crosswalk that is located in the middle of the block, denote a school zone with signs and reduce its speed to 20 mph and to reduce the speed to 25 from 35 on that stretch of Community Center Drive to maintain continuity.
Global Village Academy in Northglenn opened its location at 555 W. 112th Ave. for the 2011-12 school year with 327 students. That population has swelled to 785 this year and officials expect 1,000 students for the 2014-15 school year. The concern is that motorists don’t expect a pedestrian crosswalk in the middle of the block, and are not slowing down for students crossing.
The city will remove that mid-block crossing and put up signs directing pedestrians to use the crosswalk at Huron Street and 112th Avenue, which is approximately 500 feet to the west.
“By promoting the crossing at the fully signalized intersection it’s the safest approach you can do,” said David Willett, director of public works.
Council also discussed the issue during its Jan. 6 study session and at that time was in favor of keeping the crosswalk but adding signage and a signal. In the past month the consensus has changed to removing the crosswalk entirely.
Leslie Carrico, Ward II councilwoman, explained she changed her mind because the location of the crosswalk was on a hill and dangerous.
“I think it’s a bad spot for a crossing when there’s one right there down the street,” she said.
The estimated cost to install signage and a fully-activated pedestrian signal was $135,000. The cost to install a high-intensity activated crosswalk signal that activates during school hours was estimated to cost $25,000.
The cost to remove the existing crosswalk, which the council is in favor of now, is $2,500.
The city will put up signs to warn pedestrians about the crosswalk changes. Willett said it would take about four to six weeks, depending on the weather, to remove the crosswalk and school zone signage.
