The LADOT remains hard at work to help speed up traffic along community streets.  One of its most recent plans is to remove a crosswalk at the corner of of Sichel and Broadway in Lincoln Heights for unnamed “safety concerns.”  The sign announcing the removal gives a number to call with comments, 213-972-4990, but I only suggest calling it if you have too much free time.  I spent what seemed to be hours on-hold and gave up before talking to anyone that could discuss the project.

For those of you who still want your voice to be heard and aren’t willing to brave the LADOT’s phone system, you can fax a letter to 213-972-5010.  I would also send those letters to president@lincolnheightsnc.org and drop a fax to Councilman Reyes’ office at 213-485-8907.

Thanks to these pictures from Ubrayj, I can see why the intersection isn’t the safest for pedestrians.  It’s just a crosswalk with no light system (or stop sign?) to go with the crossing.  Despite Sichel and Broadway being designed as one of the more visible crosswalks, unsignalized intersections are a breeding ground for bad motorist behavior. 

I guess it’s easier to just remove the cross walk than it is to do other things to make the intersection safer.  Why calm traffic, add a traffic signal or other lighting, or just enforce traffic laws when you can just get rid of the crosswalk and the pedestrians?  No pedestrians, no pedestrian safety issue!