Another Pedestrian Killed On The Boulevard

This could easily read another pedestrian killed on WHALLEY AVENUE. There is far more pedestrian/ automobile interaction there. Its not to say that ETGB is safe, but BOTH of these streets require immediate attention. If people were getting away with murder in wealthier parts of town, this would already be fixed: narrow the damn streets already, or outlaw pedestrian crossing. You can't have both.

Exactly HewNaven - if this kept happening in East Rock, or in Downtown Branford, the problem would have been fixed long ago.
But because it is mostly children, seniors, and poor people who are being killed constantly, the powers that be don't care.

The current, highway-like designs of these streets would be illegal in most areas with high pedestrian activity. New York City has outlawed the construction of streets that look like these in areas like these. Unfortunately, ConnDOT is operating several decades behind the curve, and fixing the streets so that mistakes don't result in certain death is not a priority at City Hall.

Hyperbole Check

The streets in East Rock have pretty much been the way they are for the past century. The ones that were revised in the mid 20th century stink (like Mitchell Drive (aka Mitchell Speedway) or the deplorable Trumbull Street exit.)

http://www.old-maps.com/ct/birdseye/NewHaven_1879_web.jpg

This happened in my neighborhood. There are functioning pedestrian walk signals at that intersection, but they are commonly ignored when crossing the Boulevard, which happens both within the crosswalk and up to 100 feet south of the intersection to get to the fast food places on either side of the street. It also commonly happens on Whalley, a difficult to understand choice given there are functioning walk signals in the locations crossed. With no charges filed against the driver, this again appears to be another tragic case that cannot be blamed upon motorists, something true for the majority of New Haven pedestrian deaths.

Another tragic accident.

The corner of Whalley and Ella Grasso Blvd. where the accident occurred is otherwise know as State Hwy 10. As Whalley progresses a few blocks west, it branches off to become State Hwy 243 (Fountain St.) and State Hwy 63. Approximately 1 mile further west, Whalley again splits to become State Hwy 63 (Amity Rd) and State Hwy 69. Both Hwy 63 and Hwy 69 are the only New Haven access roads for Wilbur Cross Parkway.

As Grasso Blvd (Hwy 10) runs south from Whalley Ave., it accesses Route 34, U.S. Rte. 1 (Post Road) and I-95. All of the noted roads have been in operation for quite some time, and several are among the most heavily traveled roads in Connecticut.

I admit that pedestrian safety is an important element in our road design. However, if we are going to make safety improvements, we must first know the cause of the accidents and then address those causes. It does not serve a useful purpose to jump to conclusions and blame presumed driver conduct (speed) or roadway width (again speed) as the prime factors at play here.

As a newer New Haven resident, I've enjoyed commuting via walking the last two weeks, I admit, I am surprised at the number of walkers (and bikers) who don't follow signals or use crosswalks, Even downtown by the green, I am often the only person in a group of ten to wait the twenty seconds for the walk sign, and to actually travel 10 feet to a crosswalk. Any traffic discussion has to take this human behavior into account..life isn't worth the rush!

RichThern,

I agree "life isn't worth the rush!" This is why you should join the fight to reduce the speed limit citywide to 15-20mph. This is the single biggest contribution the Harp administration could make to public safety.

<b>20 is plenty!</b>