This weekend, Reconnect Rochester and other community partners will gather with members of the 19th Ward community to transform the intersection of Genesee Park Boulevard and Pioneer Street.
Reconnect Rochester’s Complete Streets Makeover is a traffic calming initiative that began in 2018 in response to the annual number of crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians in Monroe County.
The initiative creates practical, low-cost design solutions for neighborhoods across Rochester. Designs often feature curb extensions and high-visibility murals to slow vehicle speeds and improve visibility.
In March of this year, 19th Ward residents shared their thoughts on improving pedestrian safety in their community.
“We’ve heard from residents that this area is a pain point when walking or biking to nearby spots such as Genesee Valley Park or the Empire State Trail due to high vehicular speeds and crashes,” said Project Manager Lourdes Sharp in a statement. “There’s also off-campus student housing for U of R students, and School #53 leads many students and families to rely on this intersection on a daily basis. When you factor in the amount of road space for design improvement potential, this was a great fit for our next location.”
In partnership with Santec, a global photonics company, the Genesee Park Boulevard and Pioneer Street intersection will be redesigned based on residents’ feedback.
In celebration of the makeover, a block party and painting event will be hosted from noon to 4 p.m. on May 16 at the corner of Genesee Park Boulevard and Pioneer Street.
Speed data will be collected to track the project’s impact while program partners provide ongoing support for future improvements.
Rochester residents with concerns about the safety of an intersection in their neighborhood are encouraged to nominate it for a Complete Streets Makeover.
Visit reconnectrochester.org/csm-nomination/ to learn more
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 19th Ward intersection gets redesign this weekend
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
