Fatal Accidents Have Prompted Residents of Corvallis to Fight for a Lower Speed Limit on a Stretch of Highway 99
If you’ve been to south town Corvallis anytime in the last week, you may have noticed some new signs -- “Slow Down!” -- on the side of the road near the overpass and First Alternative Co-op.
Those signs were put up by protesters attempting to get drivers to slow down near the crosswalks located there and further down Highway 99. If you happen to be going through near rush hour, you may have even caught protesters crossing and holding up traffic in an additional attempt to get drivers to slow down.
These protests all started on Jan. 10 after Rhiana Daniel, an 11-year-old girl, was struck by a driver in a Nissan Leaf, Peter Eschwey, 45, on Jan. 8 at the crosswalk near the 1000 block of South Third Street, according to police. She passed away the next day, marking the third fatality near the block in just 18 months.
A memorial was set up on the mid island within the crosswalk. Large amounts of colorful flowers dampened by the cold and rain can be seen. A soaked pink teddy bear rests on one of the sign poles, the sign still missing it’s flashing lights. A few blown out candles and crosses lean against the barren winter foliage planted on the island.
Protesters are outraged at the city of Corvallis and with the Oregon Department of Transportation, which have been slow to work together to make improvements to the crosswalks or even to repair them. Just last August in yet another vehicle collision near the block, two of the crossing lights located in the middle of the crossing were damaged and have yet to be replaced.
“I’m really tired of hearing them say it’s complicated.” Said Wendy Byrne, a member of protests.
ODOT officially has authority over the block due to it also serving as state Highway 99, and communication with them and the city has been slow according to protesters.
It’s not just about fixing and improving the crosswalks, however. Jay Thatcher, an organizer of the protests, says it’s also a culture problem. “People are always speeding through there, and our main goal is to get them to slow down.”
According to Thatcher, when the stretch of Highway 99 was built, it was built with industry in mind, thus given a higher speed limit and more lanes. However, over time the area became annexed by residential development and now supports more foot, bicycle, and motor traffic than what it was originally designed for.
“The most lasting change that can happen is for the city to take it over, take over the management as a speed district on the state highway, as they have for downtown.” Thatcher said during a meeting with protesters discussing outcomes and goals for the protests.
The reaction to the protests among motorists has been mixed. Some have given a small honk or thumbs up in a show of support while others honk loudly and give the middle finger to protesters. A few motorists have even gotten within inches of protesters crossing the street, and have been immediately pulled over by the increased police presence in the area.
“Protesters wish for more enforcement in general however, not as just a reaction.” Bryne explained. “I’d like to see increased police presence more often, not just as a reaction to a third death in an area.”
In addition to increased police presence near the block, the city has put up lit signs in south Corvallis warning motorists of upcoming crosswalks, and installed speed trackers to let motorist know how fast they are going. However, repairs of the lights in the middle of the crosswalk where Daniel was hit are not expected to be done by the end of the month.
Protests have slowed down for now, but the signs and memorial can still be seen in the mid island within the crosswalk. A city council meeting is scheduled on the 21st with South Third Street Pedestrian Crossing being a subject on the agenda.
Those signs were put up by protesters attempting to get drivers to slow down near the crosswalks located there and further down Highway 99. If you happen to be going through near rush hour, you may have even caught protesters crossing and holding up traffic in an additional attempt to get drivers to slow down. These protests all started on Jan. 10 after Rhiana Daniel, an 11-year-old girl, was struck by a driver in a Nissan Leaf, Peter Eschwey, 45, on Jan. 8 at the crosswalk near the 1000 block of South Third Street, according to police. She passed away the next day, marking the third fatality near the block in just 18 months.
A memorial was set up on the mid island within the crosswalk. Large amounts of colorful flowers dampened by the cold and rain can be seen. A soaked pink teddy bear rests on one of the sign poles, the sign still missing it’s flashing lights. A few blown out candles and crosses lean against the barren winter foliage planted on the island.
Protesters are outraged at the city of Corvallis and with the Oregon Department of Transportation, which have been slow to work together to make improvements to the crosswalks or even to repair them. Just last August in yet another vehicle collision near the block, two of the crossing lights located in the middle of the crossing were damaged and have yet to be replaced.
“I’m really tired of hearing them say it’s complicated.” Said Wendy Byrne, a member of protests.
ODOT officially has authority over the block due to it also serving as state Highway 99, and communication with them and the city has been slow according to protesters.
It’s not just about fixing and improving the crosswalks, however. Jay Thatcher, an organizer of the protests, says it’s also a culture problem. “People are always speeding through there, and our main goal is to get them to slow down.”
According to Thatcher, when the stretch of Highway 99 was built, it was built with industry in mind, thus given a higher speed limit and more lanes. However, over time the area became annexed by residential development and now supports more foot, bicycle, and motor traffic than what it was originally designed for.
“The most lasting change that can happen is for the city to take it over, take over the management as a speed district on the state highway, as they have for downtown.” Thatcher said during a meeting with protesters discussing outcomes and goals for the protests.
The reaction to the protests among motorists has been mixed. Some have given a small honk or thumbs up in a show of support while others honk loudly and give the middle finger to protesters. A few motorists have even gotten within inches of protesters crossing the street, and have been immediately pulled over by the increased police presence in the area.
“Protesters wish for more enforcement in general however, not as just a reaction.” Bryne explained. “I’d like to see increased police presence more often, not just as a reaction to a third death in an area.”
In addition to increased police presence near the block, the city has put up lit signs in south Corvallis warning motorists of upcoming crosswalks, and installed speed trackers to let motorist know how fast they are going. However, repairs of the lights in the middle of the crosswalk where Daniel was hit are not expected to be done by the end of the month.
Protests have slowed down for now, but the signs and memorial can still be seen in the mid island within the crosswalk. A city council meeting is scheduled on the 21st with South Third Street Pedestrian Crossing being a subject on the agenda.
At a Glace:
Where is it: 1000 block of south 3rd street in Corvallis.
When: Collision happened on Jan. 8. Protests may still be ongoing.
Contact: City Manager, Mark Shepard 541-766-6418 city.manager@corvallisoregon.gov
Oregon Department of Transportation District 2 Regional Manager Sonny Chickering 503-986-2631
Oregon Department of Transportation District 2 Regional Manager Sonny Chickering 503-986-2631
Comments
Post a Comment