PONTIAC, Mich. – Pontiac is rolling out new pedestrian safety projects across the city after several deadly crashes, including two pedestrian deaths this year and six last year, officials said.
The most recent incident happened on Sunday, when a 60-year-old man died after being hit by two vehicles in a hit-and-run.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office released video and is asking the public for help identifying the drivers.
Mayor Mike McGuinness said the city’s new projects are aimed at preventing more tragedies.
One of the key corridors targeted for changes is Auburn Avenue.
The road, which currently has two lanes in each direction, will be reconfigured to one lane in each direction and a center turning lane.
This will help to slow traffic. The city says they’ll also lower speed limits and add more crosswalks that light up when you press the button to improve safety for people walking, biking, and driving.
“These projects are strategically placed in areas where people are living, people need to get to shops and businesses,” McGuinness said.
McGuinness said the city began adding improvement projects to Baldwin and Virginia Avenues late last year after a few pedestrian deaths in that area.
He also said the city council recently received a county grant to address additional traffic-related issues in that area.
“I’m really excited that there’s a lot of long-overdue improvements that we’re making to our infrastructure,” McGuinness said. “We’ve got a lot more that we have to get to, but every day we’re moving the needle forward.”
For residents like Bruce Cobb, the issue is personal, but he’s happy to hear what the city is doing. Nineteen months ago, Cobb was hit by a distracted driver while crossing the street in Pontiac.
“I suffered several, almost life-ending fractures in my body, and this is actually a bone generator,” Cobb said, describing a device he now relies on during his recovery.
“It’s a lot of PTSD,” Cobb said, adding that crossing the street still takes courage.
Cobb said he was devastated to learn about Sunday’s fatal hit-and-run involving the 60-year-old man.
According to a public information officer for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the man’s death was the second pedestrian death this year in Pontiac.
He said there were six pedestrian deaths in the city last year.
Cobb said residents appreciate the changes and hope they will prevent future crashes.
McGuinness said additional traffic-calming measures for drivers and pedestrians are expected to be discussed at the next City Council meeting.