Description
The intersection of Lucas Avenue, Joys Lane, and Lafayette is dangerous for cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists. In my 15 years living near this intersection, I have witnessed 1 bicyclist hit by a car, 2 pedestrians hit by vehicles, 3 car crashes, and one death (RIP). To divert traffic, Joys Lane should be made one way from Dietz Stadium to Lucas Avenue. To assist pedestrians, there should be a traffic light timed with Washington Avenue's traffic light and it should have a crossing signal similar to the one at Lucas Avenue and Millers Lane. Children walking to Bailey and Edson take their lives into their own hands- and that is a lot to ask of pre-teen children. They are no match for cars and unsafe drivers who berate you when trying to cross in the crosswalk at the stop sign! This issue has been brought to the city council's attention by former aldermen and a signed petition of over 60 signatures. You would think a death would inspire someone to do something, but I guess it was not a politician's relative or friend.
17 Comments
Andi Turco-Levin (Registered User)
paul werbalowsky (Guest)
Last week I was the first driver at the intersection and I stopped fully with my left blinker on coming up Lucas to turn left onto Lafayette. I was partway over the crosswalk stripes when a driver in a big grey Cadillac started to pull out so I slammed on the brakes to avoid more damage sensing that it was the best course of action since it would have stopped him from slamming into the driver’s side door. By nothing short of a miracle he did manage to stop and avoid an accident by inches. He then slammed it into reverse and sped off into Joys Lane before I could say or point out anything with an appropriate hand gesture at least.
Many drivers use Lucas as a speedway going up toward the park and many more race through the intersection to make the light at Washington Avenue. Coincidentally the line separating Wards one and two dissects Lafayette Avenue, so this is something both common council representatives should resolve quickly since an accident could happen in such a way that one vehicle would be in ward one and the other in ward two with a pedestrian squashed in the middle of them both.
Peter (Guest)
swartz (Guest)
Michelle (Guest)
Michelle (Guest)
Michelle (Guest)
Don Canard (Guest)
Michelle (Guest)
jennifer (Guest)
lst (Guest)
Andi Turco-Levin (Registered User)
We discussed this intersection at length at our Complete Streets meeting recently. I am drafting a letter to present to the Public Saftey Committee to look at making Joys Lane (and perhaps Lafayette) a one way street (open to Southbound traffic only) Part of this process will include removing the stop sign on Joys Lane and painting crosswalks between the old Friendly's and Joys' Lane in order to allow for pedestrians to leave the Stadium safely.
Crosswalks have also been requested for Washington Ave/Grandma Brown Lane/North Front Street. There is a traffic signal improvement project now underway but will take some time to complete.
jen6842 (Guest)
vadhopper (Registered User)
There are crosswalks clearly painted there now. I'm an advocate for the yellow standing crosswalk signs in the middle of every crosswalk in uptown.
Other than that, I think this post is ready to be closed. I do not agree with the need for a light - I think better crosswalk signage and enforcement might be needed. But since the post has had no responses for nearly a year - someone needs to carry the torch on this or it will be closed.
Mike (Guest)
vadhopper (Registered User)
What do you suggest, Mike? I don't disagree with your thoughts - but the city must prioritize. There are limited funds and many other problems. One year to paint crosswalks - that's not bad in my book. Get real - they are dealing with growing needs with a budget that has shrunk for multiple years.
So are there other specific improvements you suggest that are practical? Do you want to see the crosswalk signs? More less?
Let's keep this constructive. Just thinking about it is not really helpful. Do you think it deserves a traffic study? Have you looked into the traffic studies that may include this intersection (not sure if it is included in the multiple studies that have occurred in the Uptown area over the last few years). Check out the county planning dept website. http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/planning/tdoc.html
Mike (Guest)
I KNOW it deserves a traffic study... and all the suggestions above are practical. And in 2007 (September 5th to be exact), 47 people signed a petition to get this intersection fixed- either by a light and crosswalk signals or to change some of the roads to one way traffic and on side of the street parking to increase visibility. The petition was presented to the Mayor and the Safety Board. It has once again been presented, this time to Megan Weiss with Kingston Cares this August.