Latest news with #DepartmentofTransportationandInfrastructure
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Study shows nearly 3,000 crashes over 4-year period in Denver
DENVER (KDVR) — New numbers are being looked at from a traffic study done by Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure along troublesome corridors. The traffic study focused on East 13th and 14th Avenues from Broadway to Yosemite, East 16th Avenue from Detroit Street to Colorado Boulevard and East 17th Avenue from Colorado Boulevard to Yosemite Street, all over a four-year period. An outside transportation firm, 'Fehr & Peers,' found that between 2018 and 2022, there were 2,383 crashes, with 537 of those resulting in death or injury. 86 crashes involved a pedestrian or bicyclist. The majority of the crashes happened along 13th and 14th Avenues, which have been the focus of FOX31 reporting over the years. Crashes on 14th totaled 1,076, and there were 909 along 13th in the study time frame. The study found that on these corridors, between 31% and 88% of drivers are speeding. Something residents in the area, like Kay Spring, feel is the main issue. 'It's terrible. I've been here a long time, lots of years, and so I know it's really increased. I think it's just excessive speed. There's cars being hit all the time and accidents,' Spring said. Denver among best, while other metro city among worst places to raise a family: Study The study lists short-term and long-term solutions or as they're named in the study 'near-term countermeasures and additional countermeasures.' Near-term countermeasures are those that can be implemented with quick-build materials and that already meet DOTI standards or have otherwise recently been designed/implemented elsewhere in Denver. Additional countermeasures are those that have been shown to reduce crashes but are either non-standard in Denver or require technology upgrades that could be costly or require citywide prioritization for implementation. According to the study, those recommended countermeasures at what the city will determine are priority locations will cost between $960,000 and $1.2 million. The city's budget is limited to implementing the recommendations of the city but the first phase of safety improvements will include some of those low-cost, short-term solutions, but those larger, more costly improvements the city has would have to find the money for. You can find the full study and information on the DOTI website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hamilton Spectator
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Stephen council debates draft crosswalk policy
The council in St. Stephen continues to debate a proposed crosswalk policy for the municipal district. It seeks to outline the requirements for getting a coloured crosswalk, including the responsibility for the cost of putting them up, labour, and maintenance, which would fall to the individual or organization requesting it. Any crosswalk would also be subject to approval by Public Works, according to the policy. It also outlines what would or wouldn't be allowed. For example, the crosswalk's transverse lines must be painted white per the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The crosswalk markings should provide visual contrast and be reflective as per DTI. The proposed policy indicates that only durable, slip-resistant pavement marking should be used. If passed, it would not allow for commercial or trademark crosswalks, or of a religious or political nature. Nor does it allow for crosswalks that are contrary to the philosophy of the municipal district or that espouse hatred, violence, or racism. The policy allows for the denial of any crosswalk based on content and location. It should also celebrate 'our' culture, history, and events. The proposed policy did face concerns and questions from the current council. Coun. Joyce Wright said she had many concerns when it came to the policy, including who could support a proposed crosswalk, who might be able to submit one, and who decides what is cultural or historical. 'If we're going to allow coloured crosswalks of whatever strip, of whatever theme, that everybody in the municipality can take part,' she said. Meanwhile, Coun. Brian Cornish said he felt there should only be black and white crosswalks. 'I think they should be black and white,' he said. 'There (a) safety issue. Everybody understands them (black and white). Lots of times, you come along … it looks like a crosswalk and it looks like a lot of paint too. Far as I'm concerned, crosswalks, remove the advertisement off the street and go back to what they used to before.' He sought to back to basics, he explained to the council. Coun. Emily Rodas defended the coloured crosswalks. 'It's important to remember it's not just a colour when it comes to equity and inclusion,' she said. 'There are lots of kids that I speak to every day who will in passing say 'oh, I never thought that crosswalk would be in my community,' so you have no idea the difference it makes if you're a youth who is totally isolated.' She said inclusive crosswalks have become part of the fabric of most communities across the country. Annually, municipalities paint a rainbow crosswalk for the LGBTQIA+ community and more recently, orange crosswalks to represent all the lives lost and those who continue to struggle with the impacts of residential schools in Canada. 'I'd rather go with the new than go backward,' she said. In 2017, the municipality faced controversy over the painting of a rainbow crosswalk, where several members of council opposed it, according to reports from CBC New Brunswick. Some of those members are no longer on the council. Coun. Wade Greenlaw said he would like to see a better definition of what constitutes a neighbourhood. The proposed policy requires majority support from whatever neighbourhood the crosswalk is in. 'There should be a decommissioning fee as well,' he said. 'If it is only there for one year or two years and they decide not to support it anymore, then it is going to have to be cleaned up and changed or whatever.' Renaud said the council could set parameters about what it would ultimately like for the neighbourhood to be, like residents or businesses within a certain number of metres of the crosswalk. 'We didn't want to define it for you,' he said. 'What's the sphere of influence around the neighbourhood that needs to be considered.' Renaud said distance is the usual measurement used for notification of things like these, including certain types of permits. Wright said her concern remains that the proposed policy could leave out the mainly rural areas of the municipal district. She would like to see designated ones that anyone could sponsor. She said she believes there should potentially be designated crosswalks that anyone could sponsor. Mayor Allan MacEachern said part of the responsibility of the council is to grow and change. 'I was part of the first crosswalk that ever came to St. Stephen and it was not fun, but it was an experience this community needed to get through,' he said. 'That's our job. We are a voice for the community.' Rodas suggested there be a clause for grandfathering in the LGBTQIA+ crosswalk and the Indigenous crosswalk. 'Those two are downtown-owned,' she said. 'I don't believe in standing for something and then backing off.' She said having these difficult conversations is how change happens. 'We don't see eye-to-eye on every single thing,' she said. 'There is a certain level of respect and there is value to it.' Coun. Earle Eastman said he believes the primary objective of the proposed policy would be the cost to do these crosswalks and maintain them. 'The whole intent was not an individual saying I'm going to pay for a crosswalk, it was a group or an organization to get together and make that decision,' he said. In November 2024, there was a viral crosswalk supporting veterans approaching Remembrance Day. Many places saw residents asking municipalities to follow suit. MacEachern said that the desire by groups is what propelled the creation of a standardized policy, as well as, taking the financial burden off the taxpayer. Coun. Marg Harding said she believes the rainbow crosswalk was one of her proudest accomplishments on the council. 'I would be really upset if anything happened to it,' she said. 'If it is not grandfathered in, it should be.' MacEachern said he has over the years received a lot of vocal support for the LGBTQ crosswalk. 'It goes to what you're saying, it does show inclusiveness and diversity,' he said. Ultimately, MacEachern said it is about balancing the financial strain of maintaining these crosswalks while upholding the inclusivity they represent and value they bring to members of the community and those who visit. The crosswalk policy is still in the draft phase and has no standing until formalized and passed by a vote of the council.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cherokee Nation invests $23.8 Million into water improvements across the reservation
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation's goal to bring clean water to its citizens hit a milestone, which was celebrated with the announcement of additional funds for the Mankiller/Soap Water Act. Under the umbrella of the Cherokee Nation, the tribe has allocated $65 million for Mankiller/Soap Water Act projects. Out of these funds, Cherokee Nation has spent $23.8 million in the past four years to increase water quality access for citizens across the 14-county reservation. This includes $500,000 to help elders or those on low income with water utility bills and $25,000 to help install new water taps in homes under the new home construction program. As part of the anniversary celebration of the Wilma P. Mankiller and Charlie Soap Water Act, Chief Hoskin announced an increase in spending under the act by $500,000 using the tribe's Public Health and Wellness Fund Act revenue. The primary objective of the Mankiller/Soap Water Act is to provide access to water to Cherokee citizens who lack access to water systems. It allocates a minimum of $2 million annually, doubling the Cherokee Nation's general fund spending on water infrastructure projects. It prioritizes addressing deficiencies in water and wastewater systems, particularly in rural and underserved areas within the reservation. Since the beginning of this effort, Cherokee Nation has surveyed nearly 2,000 citizens, examined 121 public water systems and 53 wastewater systems, identified more than 8,000 homes lacking public water access, and pinpointed the water and wastewater systems with the most deficiencies. 'Four years ago, the Cherokee Nation took a significant step forward with the Wilma P. Mankiller and Charlie Soap Water Act, a measure inspired by the enduring legacy of two visionaries who dedicated their lives to uplifting our communities,' said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. The Cherokee Nation's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is tasked with conducting studies to identify citizens lacking access to reliable water systems and developing action plans to address these gaps. Of the 1,900 Cherokee Nation citizens who live on the reservation and responded to last year's survey, 120 self-reported that they had poor or insufficient water quality. The clean water initiative was named to honor the legacy of late former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller and her husband, Charlie Soap, who were instrumental in water access projects in the 1980s. It was signed into law in April 2021 by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. 'Some city water departments had no maps, or had paper copies, so this is a new tool that can make water access extremely more efficient for everyone,' said Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh. The Cherokee Nation has a digital map showing where it can tap into water-saving time and work efficiency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
01-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Street sweeping season begins in Denver on April 1
It's no April Fool's Day joke- street sweeping season begins April 1 in Denver. That means crews will hit the streets to remove dirt and debris from city streets. Red and white signs remind residents of the street-sweeping schedule so they can move their vehicles and avoid a $50 citation. Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said moving vehicles helps sweepers reach all the way to the curb where the dirt accumulates. DOTI said the removal of debris also prevents storm sewer inlets from getting clogged. DOTI said that residents can look up the street sweeping schedule and sign up for reminders, like email and texts, online . Street sweeping season continues through November. DOTI said that last year, Denver street sweeping crews swept 113,846 lane miles and collected 46,478 cubic yards of dirt and debris.
CBC
26-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Downtown St. John's café owner pulls lawsuit against N.L. government
A year and a half after a downtown St. John's cafe sued the Newfoundland and Labrador government over the National War Memorial refurbishment, the new owner has withdrawn the lawsuit. According to documents obtained by CBC News, Memorial Cafe owner Ayesha Chua filed the notice in small claims court on March 11. CBC News has asked Chua for an interview. Located at 183 Duckworth St., the café was right next to the construction site for the refurbishment of the National War Memorial that straddles Water and Duckworth streets. The construction wrapped last year. In November of 2023, in the midst of construction, then-cafe co-owner Balamurali Balasubramani filed a lawsuit in small claims court against the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, alleging his business, then called Madras Cafe, was hurting due to the ongoing construction next to him. He was seeking $25,000 plus a filing fee. In a previous interview, Balasubramani alleged revenue at his café had dropped by 80 per cent due to the disruption. "This is my passion, so I just wanted to keep it running. But we can only survive for so long, right? And by the looks of it, we are going to lose everything. That's the way it is," he told CBC News. Balasubramani and his brother Guna Sekar opened Madras Cafe in November 2021. In an email to CBC News, department spokesperson Maria Browne said, "the parties have resolved the matter and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has no further comment." According to documents obtained by CBC News, on Feb. 1, 2024, Chua became a director of the company and Balasubramani and Sekar ceased to be directors, making Chua the sole director. Chua officially changed the café's name to Memorial Cafe on May 30, 2024. Balasubramani had intended to continue the lawsuit but was not permitted to because of the sale, he told CBC News. While changing the café's name to reflect the business' proximity to the National War Memorial and with the construction wrapping, Chua carried on with the lawsuit. The matter was supposed to be in court for a settlement conference in January but it was pushed to May.
