Lexington plans traffic safety improvements for West High Street

After series of accidents, including fatalities, work on raised crosswalks to begin later this month

UPDATE POSTED 10:30 P.M, MONDAY FEB. 14, 2022:

LEXINGTON, Ky (WTVQ): After multiple traffic accidents on West High Street, near Rupp Arena, the city leaders decided something needed to be done.

“So we changed the speed limit, lowered it, we put in rumble strips, we put in speed feedback signs, the electric ones that tell you how fast you’re going,” said Mayor Linda Gorton.

But Gorton says that wasn’t enough. Deadly crashes happened on the well-used roadway last year.

According to the report issued by Strand Associates, an engineering firm hired by the city to evaluate the calming traffic measures, eight out of twelve crashes– some deadly- happened between 11 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. when traffic volumes were at the lowest.

“The things that we had already done initially were helpful,” Mayor Gorton said. “But they weren’t a permanent solution. People could ignore some of them, and some of them weren’t a really heavy duty forcing people to slow down.”

At the conclusion of the study, a more permanent solution was made. It was decided speed tables, which are an elevated surface with a c crosswalk down the center, would be a better option.

The city plans to install 4 speed tables right here on West High Street, with the goal of preventing those deadly crashes.

“I think that it will be a very good solution for that street. The neighbors were worried. The neighbors want to be able to walk on the sidewalk. And if you dont think your st reet is safe and people are going to crash, you are not inclined to use those sidewalks,” Gorton said.

Gorton says one will be located near Merino Street; another will be near the entrance of the Rupp Arena parking lot; and two others scattered along West High.
Construction is expected to begin in late spring or early summer.

Original Story:

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Following a study of traffic safety on West High Street, the City is installing four raised crosswalks/speed tables to help calm traffic and prevent serious collisions.

“The first priority of local government is public safety, and that includes safety on our roads,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Making improvements to West High Street will help calm traffic, and make the route safer for everyone.”

Following several collisions on West High Street, some fatal, the Mayor and several councilmembers worked together to find improvement opportunities in hopes of preventing future incidents. A study commissioned by the City recommended installing raised crosswalks/speed tables on West High Street, between Lexington Center Drive and Herlihy Street.

The City has already taken additional steps by lowering the speed limit to 25 mph, straightening out the curve at Herlihy Street, adding reflectors and rumble strips, narrowing travel lanes, installing water-filled barriers, and placing driver speed feedback and curve warning signage.

Design of the new raised crosswalks/speed tables will begin in late February, with construction planned for late spring or early summer.