In a continued effort to improve connectivity and walkability in the city, Greenwood is making significant improvements to a crosswalk near several east-side apartment complexes.
The redevelopment commission on Tuesday approved spending up to $48,521 from the central tax increment financing district to install enhanced, decorative lighting and signalling at an Emerson Avenue crosswalk, just south of Grassy Creek Lane.
The crosswalk connects several apartment complexes including Bexley Village and Emerald Lakes to Craig Trail, which starts at Valle Vista Armes and travels west to Craig Park and downtown Greenwood.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department recently made improvements to the trail, one of the most popular in the city, said Kevin Steinmetz, capital projects manager.
“But it doesn’t have a good connection over to a significant population center to the east,” Steinmetz said.
City officials decided installing two pedestrian-activated blinker signs, similar to the ones at Cornerstone Autism Center and along Fry Road near the mall, would improve safety and quality of life if they made enhancements to the crossing, which is currently a painted crosswalk.
The four new poles will illuminate the crosswalk with LED lighting, and allow pedestrians to activate a blinker that will warn cars they are about to cross.
Construction should be complete by the end of the year, Steinmetz said.
