FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 21, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS

Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160

Stacy Ellifritt, Media and Communications, stacy.ellifritt@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152

Work Has Begun on‘Talk the Walk’ Pedestrian Crossing Improvements

The City of Tacoma’s Public Works Department completed crosswalk striping at 22 sites (45 crosswalks) across Tacoma on Sunday, Oct.19, as part of “Talk the Walk” pedestrian crossing improvements. This work included sites where the existing crosswalk was faded, or where compliant ramps are currently in place and new striping could be added.

The City is also working to complete curb ramp improvements at three to five sites. A tentative list of these locations includes: South 12th Street and Union Avenue, South 39th Street and Yakima Avenue, and North 26th and Shirley streets. 

The goal is to get as much work completed before the scheduled winter break that starts on Nov. 26 and runs through February. Work will resume again on March 2, 2015 and continue into August.

“We’ve heard from the community that crosswalks and pedestrian improvements are a top priority. I advocated to secure funding and a process that included resident input, and now work on these improvements has begun.” said Council Member Robert Thoms, “This is the first step in our longer term vision to enhance the safety of our neighborhoods and make our city more walkable and more livable.”

The sites were selected by the public during the "Talk the Walk" community outreach effort that took place between February and July 2014.  The City plans to spend $2.5 million in one-time funds on these improvements, with $300,000 dispersed to each of the five council districts and $1 million to Downtown Tacoma.

More information is available at cityoftacoma.org/walk.

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