Latest news with #speedbumps
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Oakland residents blast city's removal of self-installed speed bumps
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Neighbors in Oakland's Highland Terrace neighborhood say they are angry after the city removed the 41 speed bumps they placed throughout six intersections. Livermore teen arrested for possessing 258 lbs of fireworks: sheriff Neighbors say they installed the speed bumps themselves to stop the monthly speed bumps have been up for a year until the city removed them last week. Neighbors are now asking for a solution from the city — or they say they will install the speed bumps again. 'Sideshows are already coming back,' says Oakland resident Michael Andemeskel. 'It will just be a matter of time before we have a massive sideshow and then someone gets hurt. We don't want to wait.' Watch the full report from KRON4's Lindsey Ford in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Oakland removes DIY speed bumps residents put in to stop sideshows
Residents of Oakland's Highland Terrace neighborhood say their safety is at risk again after the city removed their makeshift speedbumps last week. People living near East 21st Street and 19th Avenue installed the speedbumps because they said they were fed-up with years of sideshows. Michael Andemeskel said neighbors filed reports, created petitions, and contacted city leaders, but nothing was done. "When the city fails to act, we act," said Andemeskel. Andemeskel says it impacted everyone, people feared for their safety and needed to stay inside, but even then, they couldn't escape the smoke and the noise. "It's a terrible experience and the next day you're just not the same," said Andemeskel. "Kids can't go to school, you can't do work." Andemeskel spearheaded the effort, gathering money from neighbors and as a group installing dozens of speedbumps at several intersections. Another neighbor, who did not want to disclose his name, says it worked. "It was sort of our neighborhood watch that everybody chipped in, and they implemented it," the man explained. "It was safe for awhile until just last week it was removed and then the same day they came at night." At the intersection of East 21st Street and 19th Avenue, you can still see where the speedbumps once were. Neighbors say if the city won't put them back, they're going to do it themselves and they're not worried about the repercussions. "No one's afraid of what the city is going to do and if they're going to rip them out, we'll put them in again," said Andemeskel. "We can do it all day." Director of Transportation Josh Rowan says about a month ago, he was riding a bus when he was jostled by the speed bumps, that's when he realized he needed to take a look at them. "After reviewing the operations with my engineering team, we decided it was too much risk to the public to leave them there," explained Rowan. "We were actually observing cars swerving out of the travel lane to avoid these bumps that had been installed." Rowan says they are working on a safety project that will bring more funding to that area of town, but it won't start until 2027. In the meantime, they're working on a short-term solution of paint and posts to help. OakDOT has seen this solution have some success at the intersection of Redwood Road and Skyline Boulevard. "We want to work with them," said Rowan. "We want to get solutions that are solving these problems but they keep getting out in front of us, and that's not helping us or them." Andemeskel argues it's just a matter of time until someone gets hurt or killed and the city needs to act quickly. "We demand that they come up with a plan to deal with the sideshow issue by June 6th and they implement whatever the solution in a reasonable timeframe, four weeks or six weeks," detailed Andemeskel. "If not we'll just put them back."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Chicago crash that killed family matriarch prompts calls for speed bumps, surveillance cameras
The Brief Maria Ochoa, 84, was struck and killed while crossing Archer Avenue on Saturday. Two vehicles collided at Laramie and Archer; one car flipped and hit Ochoa. Family members are calling for speed bumps and more cameras in the neighborhood. CHICAGO - An 84-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a car in Garfield Ridge, sparking calls from her family for better traffic enforcement on a stretch of road long known by residents for speeding and street racing. What we know Maria Ochoa was crossing the street Saturday evening when a two-car crash sent one vehicle careening into her. The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Laramie in Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood. Police said the vehicles collided when one made a sudden turn, causing the other to flip and hit Ochoa. She was taken to the hospital and later died. Both drivers, including a 26-year-old man who received a citation, were not injured. Ochoa was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family gathered Monday near the accident site to mourn their loss and push for safer streets. What's next As Area One detectives continue their investigation, Ochoa's son is calling for traffic calming measures like speed bumps and more surveillance cameras along Archer Avenue. The Source FOX 32's Nate Rodgers reported on this story.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Speed bumps petition gains support after child killed by car in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Heather Rivera laughed when she remembered her 'sassy' 6-year-old granddaughter who dubbed her 'hamma' and her grandfather 'hampa' when she was learning to speak. But that laugh turned to sadness when she talked about how her grandchild Khloe Rosario Quinones was struck and killed by a car on May 12 while playing with other children in front of her home on Newland Street. Determined that no other parent or grandparent in the Brightwood neighborhood will face the same pain her family is going through, Rivera started a campaign to add speed bumps on Newland Street. 'She was an amazing baby. Sassy,' Rivera said. 'She was loved by everyone.' Khloe, who loved to dance, was Rivera's only granddaughter. She also leaves behind her mother Honesty Quinones, father Wilfredo Rosario, several siblings and many other close family members, she said. On May 12, Khloe was playing in her front yard and riding her bike when a car struck her a little before 5 p.m., Rivera said. She was rushed to the nearby Baystate Medical Center in a private vehicle and died at the hospital, police spokesman Ryan Walsh said. 'All parties involved have been accounted for,' police said shortly after the crash. Khloe's death is being investigated by the Springfield Police Traffic Unit and the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit. Police have released few details since, referring all other questions to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. A spokeswoman for Gulluni said the investigation is ongoing but did not comment further. Rivera said her granddaughter, a kindergartener at Brightwood Elementary School, was struck by a driver who was speeding down the residential street. 'There are a lot of children, not only on the street but in the whole neighborhood,' she said. The spot where she was struck is marked with flowers left by friends and family members. Rivera has started a petition on to gather support for the installation of speed bumps on Newland Street to force drivers to slow down. She has collected nearly 600 signatures online as well as others from her neighbors in Brightwood. People can sign online to support the effort to place speed bumps at Rivera said she is hoping the petition will convince the City Council to install three speed bumps on the street, one at each end and a third in the middle near where her granddaughter was struck. City Councilor Maria Perez, who represents the Brightwood neighborhood, said she is in contact with Rivera and Quinones and is starting the process to install the speed bumps and looking at other ways to slow traffic. Perez said she is working with Christopher Cignoli, the city's Department of Public Works director, to begin the process. 'We are going to put a community meeting together to talk about it,' she said. In the short time she has been collecting signatures, Rivera said she is thrilled to see she has also received support from other city officials, including School Committee member Joesiah Gonzalez, who signed the petition. Gonzalez, who represents the Brightwood area, is running for City Council this year. He said he isn't just a city official: He is a neighbor who owns a home one street over from Newland, and he is the parent of a daughter who is a year younger than Khloe. 'It is horrendous,' Gonzalez said. 'It is a densely populated neighborhood with a lot of children. Let's get on top of this.' The problem is the neighborhood is laid out between two main streets, Plainfield Street and Riverside Road, that run roughly parallel to each other. In between those streets is the neighborhood, and drivers cut through the side streets such as Newland, Orchard and Washburn without slowing down. The side streets are narrow and cars are parked on both sides, making it hard to see anybody, especially a child, at a high speed. It isn't just the speeding that is a problem. People also blare music and have installed after-market mufflers that are loud, creating quality of life issues, he said. Based on the fact there are three elementary schools — Brightwood, Lincoln and German Gerena — and Chestnut Middle School that serve the neighborhood, Gonzalez estimated about 2,000 children live in the area. He said their parents shouldn't have to worry about them playing outside in their own yards. He praised Rivera for her advocacy and efforts to make a difference in the neighborhood. 'This isn't a blame thing. To get action on things like this, it takes a community effort,' he said. While Gonzalez said he is in favor of installing speed bumps on Newland Street, he said he knows it will take time. He pledged to work with Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, his fellow School Committee members and those on the City Council to try to get dedicated enforcement in the neighborhood. 'We have to be there to stop speeders, tow cars that are not registered and insured and cars that are clearly outfitted for drag racing,' he said. 'Let's put a fire under each other's butts. The community needs us to do it.' Number of older homeless adults increased nearly 20% this year in Hampden County 'His mercy was never returned': Jordan Cabrera sentenced to 12-15 years for fatally shooting Jahvante Perez This is how much untreated wastewater went into the Connecticut River last year PVPC working on two-decade plan for bikers and pedestrians Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Speed bumps removed in Cocoa Beach after city leaders say they never wanted them
The Brief Speedbumps were installed for only a short period of time in Cocoa Beach. They're being removed this week. City leaders say they never wanted the speed bumps in the first place. Taxpayers are wondering why projects have to be done, then redone, in the community. COCOA BEACH, Fla. - Road crews in Brevard County spent the week removing recently installed speed bumps along State Road A1A, in Cocoa Beach just weeks after their controversial addition sparked backlash from both residents and city officials. What we know Road crews were out along State Road A1A this week re-paving parts of the road that had speed bumps put in recently. Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi says he was clear with the agency. He never wanted the bumps installed and was surprised when multiple were placed in town. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) claims they were in communication with local cities for years planning safety improvements. The bumps were removed after enough pushback from residents and city leaders. This isn't the first issue like this on the Space Coast. In 2023, officials in Indialantic also had issues with a safety improvement speed bump installed on 5th Ave. That also had to be removed and repaved. Residents think the agencies and cities need to communicate better to save taxpayers from paying for projects twice. The entire safety improvements in Cocoa Beach were estimated to be $3.9 million in total. What we don't know FDOT says they aren't sure how much it will cost to remove the speed bumps. What they're saying Mayor Keith Capizzi said he was surprised to see multiple speed bumps — officially referred to as raised crosswalks — installed throughout the city, despite making it clear he opposed them. "It was surprising because I thought we agreed we weren't going to do that, so it was surprising," said Mayor Capizzi. "I just would like more collaboration." "I see the point of truing to slow people down, but they're kind of more of a hassle than anything," said resident Jason Anderson. "Coordination with the City of Cocoa Beach has occurred throughout every stage of this project to incorporate their feedback into the final design," FDOT said, citing multiple meetings, including a City Commission session on Feb. 1 where alternative design options — including raised crosswalks — were presented and discussed. Read Full FDOT Statement The agency released a lengthy statement Wednesday detailing its efforts to include Cocoa Beach officials and the public in the design process: "For any project, FDOT works closely with local municipalities and community stakeholders from the earliest planning stages through project completion."The pedestrian safety improvement project along S.R. A1A in Cocoa Beach is no different. Coordination with the City of Cocoa Beach has occurred throughout every stage of this project to incorporate their feedback into the final design. Throughout the development and design of the project, FDOT held stakeholder meetings with the city to understand their goals for the project. A public meeting was held on March 1, 2022, and meeting notifications were sent in advance to local elected officials, city staff, and property owners along the project limits. Members of the FDOT design project team attended a City Commission meeting on February 1, 2024, to present the proposed improvement options and receive feedback. One of the options proposed were 12 new crosswalks that were not raised. The City Commission then voted unanimously to approve their preferred alternative for the project and provided input on the crosswalks, design features, and signage, including two raised crosswalks at both ends of the project limits. After further follow-up with city staff after the meeting, FDOT confirmed these changes with a letter to the City and moved forward with construction in line with what was agreed upon by the City Commission and coordinated with staff. See the attached email for reference. "The 'speed bumps' you refer to are raised crosswalks, and were among the features discussed, revised, and finalized through this collaborative process. The total estimated construction cost for the safety improvements along S.R. A1A in Cocoa Beach is $3.9 million. The specific cost to remove the raised crosswalks is not yet determined. "FDOT values strong relationships and communication with our local municipal partners, whether a project is underway or not. Local input helps shape our projects and is always welcome. The Department looks forward to the continued partnership with Cocoa Beach and to delivering improvements that benefit all road users." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source FOX 35's Reporter Esther Bower interviewed the mayor and residents on May 21, 2025. She also sent an email and spoke on the phone with reps from FDOT before she was sent a statement from the agency on May 21, 2025. She spoke with some workers in downtown Cocoa Beach who were inspecting the speed bumps.
