Columbia’s city council is scheduled to vote Monday evening on a controversial proposed pedestrian safety ordinance.
Supporters say it’s about protecting people’s lives while critics say it would not reduce pedestrian accidents in Columbia. The council voted 6-1 in November to table the proposal, after hearing three hours of emotional testimony that night.
The proposal would restrict pedestrian use of medians and traffic islands at intersections where the speed is 35 miles per hour or higher, average daily traffic is 15,000 or higher and that are less than six feet wide. Columbia’s Business Loop CID supports the plan, saying they see the near misses daily. Advocates for the homeless oppose the plan, saying it would not reduce pedestrian accidents in Columbia.
At the council’s request, the city hired George Crawford and Associates to conduct a street and intersection pedestrian safety study. Monday night’s council meeting begins at 7.