Improve pedestrian access in downtown neighborhoods

I am saddened by the loss of a friend, Judith Penelope, who was a gentle soul, 73 years of age, who lived in the Kenwick neighborhood. She was struck by a car and killed crossing Richmond Road about 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 1. The accident was near the junction of Desha Road and Mentelle Park near downtown.

She had decided to walk to most of her destinations when she was no longer comfortable driving. She was walking to the High Street Y for our 6 a.m. aerobics class. It was dark, and the driver apparently did not see her.

The nearest crosswalk at Ashland Avenue was 0.2 miles away. The distance between intersections with crosswalks at Chinoe Road and Ashland Avenue is approximately one mile. The speed limit on Richmond Road is 35 mph. Traffic often goes faster, and the absence of crosswalks — along with poor lighting, high traffic volume and high speed — makes this corridor very dangerous for the high-density neighborhoods it services.

Lexington aims to be a pedestrian friendly city. I implore Bill Farmer, 5th District council member, and our local government to work together to make Richmond Road less dangerous for pedestrians.

This story was originally published December 13, 2017 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Improve pedestrian access in downtown neighborhoods."