Brooklyn Park Looking to Make Problem Intersections Safer
Brooklyn Park will add lighting to the Welcome Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard intersection in hopes it can make the area a safer place to cross. Two pedestrians were hit and killed near that intersection.
LED Lights Being Added
“We decided to partner with Hennepin County and add two LED Street light on top of the traffic signal at Welcome and Brooklyn Boulevard,” says Dan Ruiz the Brooklyn Park Public Works Director.
Two pedestrians lost their lives at Welcome Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard last year. Police say neither pedestrian were in the cross walk area. However, the city feels adding lighting to the area could help walkers make better decisions.
“We are adding these lights to basically add additional glow to the intersection,” stated Ruiz. “We hope that folks may more easily find the lighted safer way to cross that road.”
A pedestrian also died while crossing Highway 252 near Brookdale Drive.
“We are working with MNDOT and Hennepin County to put in an interchange at both 85th and Brookdale Drive across 252,” added Ruiz.
Be Safe When Walking
Police say waiting for the walk sign and not jay walking are the best way to keep yourself safe when walking across busy roads.
The new LED lights are expected to be installed in the spring months once all of the snow melts. Also, Brooklyn Park Police scheduled a meeting with representatives from the Organization of Liberians in Minnesota on March 6th to discuss pedestrian safety, since the individuals who were killed were all of Liberian descent.
