Denver Mayor Mike Johnston recently witnessed firsthand the challenges pedestrians face on Federal Boulevard. A group of elderly and disabled residents, including those from the Denver Housing Authority’s Mountain View complex, demonstrated the difficulties of crossing the street due to short walk lights and speeding cars.

Pedestrian Safety Concerns

Cleo Johnson, a resident, expressed concerns about the short walk light duration, stating, ‘We don’t have a chance to get across… The walk light only lasts about three seconds and people on a walker or a wheelchair do not have time to cross the road.’ Alejandra Castañeda, an organizer with Pedestrian Dignity, emphasized the need for improved pedestrian safety, citing the record-breaking year of traffic fatalities.

Chressa McFarland, a partially blind senior, led the group, highlighting the narrow and littered sidewalks, lack of shade, and speeding cars. Jill Hansen, who uses a motorized wheelchair, shared her stressful experience running weekly errands due to inattentive drivers.

Mayor’s Response

After the walk, Mayor Johnston acknowledged the issues, saying, ‘We saw some things that were working and some things that were not working.’ He discussed possible solutions with DOTI Director Amy Ford, including adjusting signal timing to make crossing easier.

Johnston’s administration has faced criticism for the lack of movement on street safety. Despite this, he emphasized that street safety and Vision Zero remain a priority, highlighting the city’s efforts to rebuild sidewalks and install speed cameras.

Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.