Second Stage of Inman Pedestrian Safety Project Installed

by David Brandenberger

The second part of the pedestrian safety project at Inman – a new bulb-out adjacent to the volleyball courts on Virginia at John Howell Park – was installed last weekend. Designed to shorten the time needed to cross the street, it will soon be joined by (we are informed) the project’s last element, an RRFB (Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon)–similar to other pedestrian hybrid beacons being deployed throughout the city (HAWK beacons, etc.).

A section of the new plaza at that corner that was built last fall had to removed and repoured in the process.  While we would rather that all the concrete matched, it’s a trifle compared with the safety of the students crossing the street. Slowing down traffic in this area is a solid idea that we applaud.

With a nearby neighbor, we raised the issue of altered stormwater flows with the city in this process and have been assured that they will respond to any new challenges that develop.  In the next round of work at John Howell, we aspire to capture more stormwater further uphill along the curbs in that park and to trap some of the water that occasionally stands along Arcadia.

We appreciate all the work that local resident and parent Mary Stouffer put into this, and we again thank Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Daniel Ephraim at the City Public Works Department for their support.

David Brandenberger is a VHCA Board Member and he chairs the Parks Committee.