KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Students at Western Michigan University concerned about pedestrian safety may breathe a little easier, thanks to
collaboration between the City of Kalamazoo and the University.
Crews from the City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Services installed temporary concrete barrier walls on Thursday, October 27 near the WMU campus west of the intersection of Howard Street and West Michigan Avenue.
Officials say the barriers are part of a campaign between the City of Kalamazoo, student groups, and University administration officials to address safety concerns in the Fraternity Village Drive area – an initiative brought by WMU students.
Additional steps the City of Kalamazoo are implementing or under consideration in the neighborhoods west of campus include the following:
• Installing speed humps and increased street lighting on Lafayette, Euclid, Greenwood, Fraternity Village Drive.
• Installing radar signs on Fraternity Village Drive in 2023.
• Brush cleared along the side of Fraternity Village Drive to improve sight lines.
• Sidewalk modifications and ADA (Americans with Disability Act) improvements eventually constructed, and crosswalks installed on Fraternity Village Drive.
• Fraternity Village Drive restriped, and the addition of enhanced and oversized pedestrian signs.
WMU student 21-year-Kaylee Gansberg of Illinois was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver near that intersection back in August. WMU students then launched a petition asking for safer streets near campus along with a series of improved safety measures around off-campus student housing.
The concrete barriers are intended to stop jaywalking, prevent restricted left turns, and slow drivers down by narrowing the traffic lanes.
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