This is the view from Joseph E Lowery Boulevard where a woman’s life ended suddenly in August 2022. She was trying to cross the street when the driver of a car struck her. She later died from her injuries. On Monday, September 26, 2022, we met with District 4 Councilmember Jason Dozier and Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) Mobility Planning Director Betty Smoot-Madison for a pedestrian fatality site visit, to discuss what safety interventions could prevent future fatalities. 

We receive daily reports of fatal crashes from the Georgia Department of Transportation. When a person is killed while using sustainable transportation, we share the news with the local Atlanta City Councilmember so they can use the information to advocate for safety improvements to prevent the tragedy from happening again. All fatal crashes are dual tragedies, altering the lives of the victim’s loved ones, as well as those of the driver and passengers, forever. 

During the site visit, we watched as many people crossed Lowery Boulevard. Fortunately, a safer pedestrian crossing is planned (and funded) for the intersection. Ms. Smoot-Madison shared updates on other projects planned for Lowery Blvd. and adjacent streets, and Councilmember Dozier mentioned nearby traffic calming projects being advanced by the City Council District 4 office. 

• A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), pedestrian-activated signal that makes it safer to cross the street, is proposed for the intersection of Lowery and Washington Place, close to the fatal crash. This safety measure was designed by ATLDOT, funded by GDOT, and is awaiting assignment to a contractor. 
• ATLDOT’s J.E. Lowery Complete Streets project was advertised for bids in September. The project extends from the site of this pedestrian fatality north to Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. (While this project unfortunately does not include bike/LIT lanes, we do expect the crossings and turn lanes to create a safer environment for people walking and riding MARTA. We’ll continue to advocate for safe connections for people biking and scooting in the area.)

Further south on the corridor, new ADA ramps and a bike lane were installed between Ralph David Abernathy and White Street recently as part of a resurfacing project:

Photo: Google Streetview August 2022

We’d like to thank Councilmember Dozier for advocating for safer streets in District 4, and to ATLDOT’s Ms. Smoot-Madison for her continued commitment to achieving Vision Zero in Atlanta.