After receiving complaints from residents troubled by blindspots at a Midtown Kansas City, Missouri, intersection in June, city leaders planned to modify the intersection to help increase safety.
At first, the changes at Armour Blvd and Kenwood Avenue were part of a pilot program. But now 41 Action News has learned they will remain at the intersection and expand to others in the neighborhood.
Since the changes came to the intersection, Sue Cavanaugh, office manager at the Trinity United Methodist Church, has noticed the difference.
"It's safer for myself and bicyclists," Cavanaugh said. "I walk and so I can see oncoming traffic not only that but I'm in a safe zone."
That feedback was a key benchmark for the city's Public Works department as they evaluated the pilot program.
"We're now realizing that the visibility at the intersection is a little bit more important than that extra parking spot," Maggie Green, a spokesperson for KCMO Public Works, said.
Now the department plans to make the modifications on Armour Blvd at the intersections of Central Street, Wyandotte Street, Baltimore Avenue, Charlotte Street and Holmes Street.
"This is essentially moving a couple of the parking signs installing some of the additional vertical delineators to demarcate the parking at the corners," Green said.
Rae Petersen, who lives in the area, looks forward to it.
"It's exciting to have to stop calling 911 for an accident every couple of weeks," Petersen said. "And it's because someone is traveling too fast up and down here and they can't see. I feel bad for the people caught in these accidents."
41 Action News met her a year ago when we started reporting on the residents concerns, complaints and crashes along the corridor after the city installed protected bike lanes.
"Keep an eye out on it I think bike lanes are a good idea but how they're implemented is very hard to get it right," Petersen said.
The only complaint the city knows of the new changes are the way they look, which some folks can deal with.
"Safety, aesthetics-I'm taking safety you know everything can't be beautiful but if it works you go with it," Cavanaugh said.
According to KCMO Public Works, material for the modifications was ordered this week. Once it arrives, they'll schedule crews to get the work done.
The updates will cost approximately $5,000.
KCMO Public works added as funding permits, a more permanent solution will be identified and implemented with coordination between their department and Parks and Recreation.
