Whether you get around Akron by bike, car, bus or scooter, doing so safely is often top of mind – but not always easy to accomplish.
City transportation planners want to change that and are asking for your help.
Akronites are invited to provide input to help identify their safety concerns and prioritize future improvements — residents can get involved by attending upcoming ward meetings or by taking an online survey, according to a news release from the city.
What roads are planners looking at?
Planners are focused on roadways in three neighborhoods — Sherbondy Hill, West Akron and East Akron. Specifically, they are prioritizing two segments that include:
- Roadway segments for the Copley-Maple area that include:
- Copley Road
- South Maple Street
- Diagonal Road
- West Exchange Street
- Roadway segments for the East Akron area that include:
- Lovers Lane
- East Archwood Avenue
- East Wilbeth Road
- Kelly Avenue
- Arlington Road
- Kelly Avenue and Lindsay Avenue intersection
Residents had a chance to see maps and share concerns at the June 3 Ward 1 meeting in West Hill.
Akron Documenter Mike Klein attended the meeting and said in his notes that planners “invited the audience to study the map and to place one of four colored circle stickers on the map to pinpoint the exact locations the residents felt were most unsafe along those streets.”
How to get involved at upcoming ward meetings
Starting Thursday, July 16, residents can share their thoughts with planners at several ward meetings. Ward meetings are open to all residents — go here to find your ward.
- Ward 3, Thursday, July 16, 6 to 7 p.m. at Ed Davis Community Center, 730 Perkins Park Dr. in Sherbondy Hill.
- Ward 5, Thursday, July 16, 6 to 7 p.m. at East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp., 550 S. Arlington St. in East Akron.
- Ward 10, Tuesday, July 21, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Reservoir Park Community Center, 1735 Hillside Terrace in Goodyear Heights and from 6 to 7 p.m. at Goodyear Branch Library, 60 Goodyear Blvd.
- Ward 7, Wednesday, July 22, 6 to 7 p.m. at Firestone Park Community Center, 1480 Girard St.
- Ward 4, Wednesday, July 29, 6 to 7 p.m. at Judge James R. Williams Community Center, 1225 Lawton St. in West Akron.
Where is the money coming from?
Akron’s Safe Streets 4 All initiative is heading the information collection, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
City planners are developing a plan that focuses on reducing traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. At the same time, they hope to make roadways safer and easier for everyone to travel, whether walking, biking, rolling, using transit or driving.
Additional intersections and corridors within close proximity to the study areas will also be examined, including:
- The Martin Avenue and 2nd Avenue intersection
- The South Avenue and Diagonal Road intersection
- Copley Road from Collier Road to St. Michaels Avenue
- Kelly Avenue from 3rd Avenue to Goodyear Boulevard
