Implement DOTI's East Avenue Safety Study recommendations on East 13th, 14th & 17th avenues
Last year Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) released a safety study aiming to reduce speeding and crashes along east 13th, 14th and 17th avenues. The study recommends installing speed tables every four blocks along these corridors. The study states that this intervention could prevent 2.6 deaths, 117 injuries and 335 property damage crashes over the next five years. In other words, not doing this will cost lives.
Yet according to DOTI's website, the only "near-term" measures currently planned are wholly inadequate paint and plastic post installations. We cannot rely on half-measures and wait for the "far-term" to install life-saving infrastructure. We ask that DOTI implement this study's recommendations with the urgency needed to save lives.
We understand that the city's budget is extremely tight. The cost to install speed tables along 13th, 14th and 17th avenues is estimated to be $800,000 — about the cost of two traffic signal installs. In 2024 DOTI spent over two million dollars upgrading six traffic lights along 13th and 14th avenues which has not resulted in any crash reductions on these streets. Surely these speed tables are among the most cost efficient and effective measures DOTI could take.
We are asking Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to prioritize investments that have the greatest safety benefit and will save lives. Install the speed tables as recommended in the East Avenues Safety Study. By slowing traffic on these high speed corridors we will also make our neighborhoods more vibrant and safe for residents and visitors.
If DOTI will not prioritize installing speed tables along 13th, 14th and 17th avenues as recommended in the East Avenues Safety Study, City Council should mandate these measures for the protection of our residents.