By Kait Spielmaker and Susan Le
City of Wichita Falls, Texas
On Monday, August 15th, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the intersection of Hines Boulevard and Lucas Avenue. This ceremony helped celebrate Wichita Falls being the only recipient of The America Walks 2021 Crosswalk Grant – in partnership with Carmanah Technologies – that awarded two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons! The “beacons” will alert drivers that a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. This is a long-awaited event to unveil increased safety measures at a much-needed intersection.
Denver, Colorado
Following several previous wins comes yet another big win for Denver, Colorado! Next month the board of the Denver Regional Council of Governments will vote on a long-term agenda that would halt expansion projects currently in the works for Interstate 25 and C-470 while also cutting or shrinking similar smaller road-widening projects. Additionally, this new plan would shift $900 million away from road expansions to fund climate-friendly transportation projects such as public transit and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, which is, of course, music to our ears! This new plan comes as a response to the state mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector – Colorado’s largest single-source emitter.
Portland, Oregon
A big win for Portland, OR as the Earl Blumenauer Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge opened to the public! The bridge connects two neighborhoods — Central Eastside and Lloyd District — and provides a safe way for commuters and recreational walkers and cyclists to get away from dangerous auto traffic.
Michigan
The Northern Michigan passenger rail planning group gets new funding! This will help advance the group to phase II of the project, where the plan is to activate a railroad corridor that runs from Southeast Michigan to Traverse City. Furthermore, Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced last week that $1.3 million will be allocated to project partners through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program to advance the study and therefore the project.
All over, USA
Our partners at the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center recently announced that 23 new cities have been recognized as Walk Friendly Communities. Out of the 23, there are three whose awards benefitted from the America Walks’ Walking College program; Charles Bingham, Nicole Smith, and Dane Eifling!
Be sure to send the wins happening in your community to kait@americawalks.org.
