Latest news with #RebeccaSerna
Axios
4 days ago
- Axios
535 miles of trails could one day crisscross Atlanta
Atlanta now has a clear blueprint for building hundreds of miles of trails connecting all corners of the city. Why it matters: The 535-mile Trails ATL plan — the city's first trails master plan in more than 30 years — prioritizes new ways to travel seamlessly and safely from neighborhood to neighborhood without a car. Zoom in: The 186-page plan calls for creating greenways — park-like trails along waterways or through forest areas — and protected lanes for bicyclists, pedestrians and wheelchair users across Atlanta. Several projects like the Valley of the Hawks Trail and Emerald Greenway would create new ways to travel under MARTA tracks and interstates. The Whitewater Greenway would run along the Chattahoochee River and connect to the Lovett School. Smaller projects, like a small spur connecting to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail, could have a big impact in terms of connections. By the numbers: According to the plan, 37% of Atlanta residents have access to an "all-ages, all-abilities" trail within a 10-minute walk or wheelchair ride. Officials say the proposed trails and connections in the plan could boost that to roughly 95% by 2052. Reality check: Plans without funding fit nicely on a shelf. Building out the vision will require dedicated funding, political will and constituent support, Rebecca Serna, the executive director of Propel ATL, told Axios. What's next: The plan's $252 million, 35-mile first phase calls for greenways and protected street trails in neighborhoods including Lakewood Heights, South Atlanta and Buckhead, plus a new trail system throughout southwest Atlanta communities. Phases 2 and 3 would construct more than 380 miles of new trails. 🚴 Thomas' thought bubble: I've been burned on city plans in the past but as a bicyclist I'm holding out hope these projects come to fruition. We've built a pretty brutal city to move around if you're not in an automobile; these projects give people a new way to travel.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Yahoo
Confusing crosswalk along Peachtree Street under scrutiny after tragic accident
The Brief A 67-year-old man, Prapdeep Sood, was fatally struck by a truck while crossing Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, raising concerns about pedestrian safety. The area where the incident occurred "appears to be a crosswalk," but city officials clarified it is not recognized as an official crosswalk, as it was part of a halted 2021 pilot project. Street safety advocate Rebecca Serna criticized the crossing's design, highlighting a broader issue in Atlanta where street designs prioritize vehicles over pedestrian safety. ATLANTA - A deadly collision in downtown Atlanta has reignited concerns over pedestrian safety. A 67-year-old man was struck and killed by a truck while crossing Peachtree Street earlier this month. The backstory A tragic incident in downtown Atlanta has brought pedestrian safety into the spotlight. Earlier this month, 67-year-old Prapdeep Sood was fatally struck by a silver pickup truck while attempting to cross Peachtree Street. The collision has raised questions about the safety of street designs in the city, particularly concerning crosswalks. What we know Traffic camera footage captured the moment when Sood was hit by the truck. Atlanta Police, after reviewing the footage, did not find the driver at fault. Their report noted that the area "appears to be a crosswalk." However, city officials have clarified that the markings are not recognized as an official crosswalk. The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) revealed that these markings were part of a 2021 pilot project that was halted by the mayor before it could become permanent. What they're saying Rebecca Serna, a street safety advocate with Propel ATL, criticized the design of the crossing, describing it as hazardous for pedestrians. "It was installed to be a crosswalk, and it looks, for all intents and purposes, like a crosswalk," she said. Serna and other advocates argue that this issue is symptomatic of a broader problem in Atlanta, where street designs often prioritize vehicle traffic over pedestrian safety. By the numbers A 2023 report by Smart Growth America ranked parts of metro Atlanta among the deadliest areas for pedestrians nationwide. This statistic underscores the urgent need for improved pedestrian safety measures in the city. What's next ATLDOT has announced plans to repave Peachtree Street in late summer or early fall. However, there are currently no plans to reinstate the crosswalk. With Atlanta set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026, there is hope among advocates like Serna that city officials will reconsider street designs to make them more pedestrian-friendly. "It should be a place that's welcoming and safe, where you can cross without fear for your life," Serna emphasized. The Source FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo spoke with Rebecca Serna, a street safety advocate with Propel ATL for this article. Additional details were provided by the Atlanta Police Department, the Atlanta Department of Transportation, and Smart Growth America.
