Williamson Road Project hopes to reduce the crash numbers

Roanoke, va. (WDBJ) – Williamson Road is known for its culture, kitchen and unfortunately its high number of accidents.

According to DMV, there have been 23 pedestrian accidents since 2020, seven fatal.

This high number has had the business that line the road.

“People don't want to get out of here because they are afraid of traffic. We don't have the buyers we might have, because if they are on the Williamson road and go back a block on both sides of the street, they have hundreds and hundreds of families.”

In order to keep families secure and reduce the number of accidents, a steering committee under the direction of Valerie Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association, suggested a new street plan that comprises sidewalks on the pages and other adjustments.

“Instead of having two lanes per route, we have a track per route with a joint turn, so that cars make it easier for cars to make it easier for cars, the entry and exit and parking spaces,” said Brown. “It also makes it easier for people to cross the streets.”

A six -month test period from the Compton Street Northeast to the Avenue Northwest was announced to determine whether the street plan would work. Brown said the project had mixed reactions.

“We had a lot of reaction and it was both sides,” said Brown. “Just like with the companies. They were on both sides. People are afraid of what they don't know. And they cannot blame them for it because it was so long.

As soon as the six months are over, the committee will visit the community and listen to people who travel every day and live on the streets in the hope of hearing how well it works.

“I would like to see at the end of the six months when we take things apart and lose things that people say, hey, wait, no, we want to do more of it. We like that. Let's go on,” she said.

The project tests are expected to take place in autumn, and people are encouraged to give feedback so that the committee knows what improvements they can make.

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