We are writing in regard to your concern about pedestrian safety on West 26^th Avenue across from Sloan’s Lake. Denver Public Works has met with both Councilman Rick Garcia and Colorado State Representative Jerry Frangas about the issues in this area that have recently been raised in conjunction with the tragic death of one of your friends and neighbors, Mr. Kenneth Huff.

Public Works has worked with the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood in the past, and our collaboration has resulted in improvements to the West 26^th Avenue corridor, detailed below. We remain sensitive to your concerns and we are happy to explore additional improvements, also detailed below.

 It is important to note that the following safety measures could not have prevented the accident that resulted in Mr. Huff’s death. According to the Denver Police Department, Mr. Huff was with his off-leash dog when the dog ran into traffic on West 26^th Avenue in the vicinity of Raleigh Street. Mr. Huff darted into oncoming traffic presumably to save his dog and was hit. While what happened to Mr. Huff was indeed heartbreaking, it was also clearly an accident resulting from his decision to enter a busy traffic lane.

 Below is a summary of improvements Public Works recently discussed with Councilman Garcia, DPD and State Representative Frangas. The options will be vetted through the community prior to moving forward with any particular plan.

 Traffic Management Options: Safety Zone

·        Designating a stretch of West 26^th Avenue as a “safety zone” 

·        Changing the center striping on West 26^th Avenue from a dotted yellow line to a solid double yellow line

·        Adding white parking stripes to each side of the street, narrowing the travel lane

·        Doubling fines for speeding in the safety zone

 Flashing Beacons

·        Adding yellow flashing beacons to the previously installed pedestrian warning signs for both directions of West 26^th Avenue.

 Marked Crosswalk

·        Adding a marked crosswalk to the east side of Tennyson Street across West 26^th Avenue (at the RTD bus stop)

·        Providing additional pavement markings to call attention to the crosswalk and accompanying signage warning drivers of pedestrians crossing

·        Installing a "LEFT TURNS MUST YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS" sign facing southbound Tennyson Street traffic at West 26th Avenue.

 Since 2006, the following improvements have been made:

• Large, bright yellow pedestrian warning signs were installed on West 26^th Avenue at Vrain Street (east bound) and Stuart Street (west bound)
• An electronic “driver feedback” sign was installed on West 26^th Avenue to alert drivers to their speeds on this 30 mph roadway

 Additionally, in February of 2009 Public Works conducted a study evaluating the potential for adding a traffic signal at West 26^th Avenue and Tennyson Street. In order to install a signal, we must meet national standards justifying its need, and this intersection does not carry the volume of traffic mandated to meet the criteria for a signal. We had also conducted a study on this intersection in 2006, and repeated the study in 2009 because we are acutely aware of the residential concern regarding this roadway.

 We look forward to continuing to work with the Sloan’s Lake neighborhood. Please join us at your upcoming community meeting on October 14^th when we will be discussing all options.

 Sincerely, Denver Public Works, Office of Communications