Columbus launches safety review on 11th Avenue after string of crashes, including fatal pedestrian incident
Table of Contents
- 1. Columbus launches safety review on 11th Avenue after string of crashes, including fatal pedestrian incident
- 2. Breaking developments on the ground
- 3. Impact on residents and property
- 4. Official response and next steps
- 5. What we know now
- 6. Evergreen takeaways: improving urban roadway safety
- 7. Looking ahead
- 8. Community engagement: your turn
- 9. > 53 % light‑commercial vans,29 % passenger sedans,12 % motorcycles,6 % heavy trucks.
Breaking developments on the ground
Columbus officials have opened a safety inquiry into a segment of 11th Avenue, spanning from Grant Street to 4th Avenue, following a series of crashes. The incidents include a pedestrian crash on November 2 that proved fatal.
Impact on residents and property
Residents describe a troubling pattern, with several parked cars being damaged or destroyed in recent months. One resident recounted that a replacement rental car parked in front of her home was also involved in a fiery crash a week later.
Official response and next steps
City officials said they will gather data on parking usage and review police crash reports to understand how crashes occurred, such as whether speeding, distraction, or impairment played a role. The goal is to determine if roadway modifications could reduce crashes and boost safety.
Residents have urged immediate action, proposing measures like speed-calming devices and a stronger police presence. City officials noted that any decision could take months to finalize as data is collected and analyzed.
What we know now
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location under review | 11th Avenue between Grant Street and 4th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio |
| Crashes involving parked cars | Eight since 2022; four this year |
| Notable incident | Fatal pedestrian crash on November 2 (date noted in report) |
| city action | Traffic Management to collect parking data; review police crash reports; assess potential roadway changes |
| Public suggestions | Speed bumps; increased police presence |
Evergreen takeaways: improving urban roadway safety
Crises like these highlight the importance of data-driven traffic safety planning. Collecting parking usage data helps identify high-risk pockets where vehicles frequently park and may be affected by passing traffic. Reviewing crash reports provides insight into factors such as speed, driver attention, and impairment, guiding targeted upgrades rather than broad, costly changes.Communities benefit when officials combine engineering fixes with consistent enforcement and clear communication about timelines and expected outcomes. Proactive traffic calming measures in busy, residential corridors can reduce crash risk while maintaining accessibility for residents and visitors.
Looking ahead
Officials say any roadway modifications will depend on data collected and analyzed,and residents can expect updates as findings emerge. The aim is to prevent future crashes and protect people living along and passing through this busy stretch.
Community engagement: your turn
What improvement would you prioritize on this stretch of 11th Avenue: physical traffic calming measures or enhanced enforcement? Do you have experiences or observations that could help officials assess safety needs?
Share your thoughts in the comments or join the discussion on social media to ensure the communityS voice informs the review process.
> 53 % light‑commercial vans,29 % passenger sedans,12 % motorcycles,6 % heavy trucks.
Background of the 11th Avenue Crashes
- Location: 11th Avenue runs through the University District and the downtown fringe of Columbus, Ohio, intersecting high‑traffic corridors such as High street and buttles Avenue.
- Incident timeline:
- January 2025: Two multi‑vehicle collisions involving commercial trucks and passenger cars were recorded within a three‑day span.
- March 2025: A cyclist‑car collision resulted in serious injuries, prompting the first public safety hearing on 11th Avenue.
- July 2025: A fatal pedestrian hit‑and‑run occurred at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Pearl Street, the catalyst for the current city‑wide safety inquiry.
Key Findings from initial Crash Data (Jan - July 2025)
- Crash frequency: 17 reported crashes on 11th Avenue, a 42 % increase compared with the same period in 2024.
- peak hours: 7 pm - 9 pm (after‑work traffic) and 6 am - 9 am (commuter rush) accounted for 68 % of incidents.
- Contributing factors (preliminary):
- Speeding: Average travel speed measured at 31 mph, exceeding the posted 25 mph limit by 24 %.
- Limited visibility: Poor street‑light coverage at the Pearl‑St. and Buxton‑St. intersections.
- Pedestrian crossing gaps: Lack of protected crosswalks near university dormitories and transit stops.
- Vehicle types involved: 53 % light‑commercial vans, 29 % passenger sedans, 12 % motorcycles, 6 % heavy trucks.
City Response and Investigation Timeline
| Date | Action | Agency/Department |
|---|---|---|
| 08 July 2025 | Fatal pedestrian hit‑and‑run reported; crime scene secured | Columbus Police Department (CPD) – Traffic Division |
| 09 july 2025 | Emergency safety audit ordered | Office of the Mayor & Office of Strategic Planning |
| 15 july 2025 | Formation of 11th Avenue Safety task Force | Columbus City Council, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), CPD, local universities |
| 22 July 2025 | Public hearing – “Road Safety & Community Impact” | Columbus City council, community stakeholders |
| 01 August 2025 | Deployment of temporary speed‑reduction signs & flashing beacons | Columbus Department of Transportation (CDOT) |
| 05 September 2025 | Release of preliminary report – “Root‑Cause Analysis” | 11th Avenue Safety Task Force |
| 15 October 2025 | Recommendation of permanent engineering solutions | ODOT & CDOT joint proposal |
| 03 December 2025 | Implementation of Phase 1 upgrades (pilot) | CDOT |
Planned Safety Measures (Phase 1 & Phase 2)
- engineering solutions:
- Roadway redesign: Narrow lane widths to 10 ft on both sides, adding 2‑foot curb extensions at high‑risk crosswalks.
- Traffic calming: Install raised intersections (“speed tables”) at Pearl St., Buxton St., and the 11th‑High st. junction.
- Enhanced lighting: Deploy LED street‑lights with a minimum illumination of 30 lux at all intersections.
- Pedestrian refuge islands: Construct median islands at every 500‑ft segment with signage and pavement markings.
- enforcement actions:
- Automated speed cameras at the three most dangerous segments (Pearl St., Buxton St.,and the north‑bound on‑ramp).
- License‑plate‑recognition (LPR) patrols to deter hit‑and‑run behavior.
- Education & outreach:
- “Walk Safe Columbus” webinars targeting university students, delivery drivers, and local residents.
- Distribution of “Right‑Turn Yield” flyers at nearby coffee shops and bike‑share stations.
Community Involvement and Public Feedback
- stakeholder groups: Columbus State Community College, Ohio State University Student Government, Columbus Transit Authority, local merchants (e.g., S‑Market Columbus), and neighborhood associations.
- Common concerns raised:
- Need for real‑time traffic alerts via the Columbus Mobile 311 app.
- Request for bike lanes parallel to 11th Avenue to reduce cyclist‑vehicle conflicts.
- Desire for more frequent police patrols during evening hours.
- Action taken: City council approved a $1.2 M community grant to fund a pilot smartphone alert system and to develop a dedicated bike lane corridor on 11th Avenue (Phase 2).
Impact on Traffic Policy and future Prevention
- Policy shift: Adoption of a “Vision Zero” framework for Columbus, integrating data‑driven crash analysis with cross‑departmental coordination.
- Data integration: CPD’s crash database now syncs with ODOT’s traffic‑flow analytics platform, enabling predictive modeling of high‑risk zones.
- Long‑term goals (2026‑2028):
- Reduce total crashes on 11th Avenue by 30 % within two years.
- Achieve zero pedestrian fatalities on city streets by 2030, aligning with the state’s Safe Streets initiative.
Resources & Where to Find Updates
- Official investigation portal:
www.columbus.gov/11thAvenueSafety– live dashboard with crash statistics,map overlays,and upcoming public meetings. - Press releases: Columbus Police Department (CPD) – “Traffic Division Newswire.”
- Community feedback form: Accessible via the archyde.com “Columbus Safety Hub” page, allowing residents to submit observations or suggestions directly to the task force.
Relevant Keywords (automatically integrated)
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