UPDATE: Lincoln residents are concerned over intersection’s safety

UPDATE:

The intersection of S. 17th and Washington streets has become a concern for residents in the neighborhood.

Rob Morgan of Lincoln is legally blind.  He said the intersection has become unsafe since its traffic signals were knocked out more than a month ago.

“Cars going around other cars, you got pedestrians coming close to getting hit,” Morgan said.  “I’ve almost been hit 18 times crossing South 17th alone.”

The city said a thunderstorm damaged the signals and for the past five weeks, they’ve had stop signs on Washington Street at the intersection, with pedestrian right–of–way signs on 17th Street.

Morgan said that’s not enough.

“My question is, after having conversation with the Public Works Department, how was this a great, safe idea?” he said.

Traffic Engineering manager Mark Lutjeharms said the signals were old and beyond their useful life.

He said the May 5 storm forced their hand into conducting a study on whether or not it’s appropriate to put the signal back in service.

“Anytime a signal reaches that useful life — or in this case, when a signal is damaged by a traffic accident or weather, mother nature – we always do a study to evaluate whether or not it’s appropriate to put the traffic signal back into service,” Lutjeharms said.

He said traffic counts there in recent years show the intersection does not meet the national criteria for having signals.

While the analysis continues, he said they’re looking at ways to make it safer than it is today, like adding more signs and warnings.

“We anticipate that Washington Street will still remain controlled by stop signs on their approaches, but we’re looking at ways to decrease the crossing distance for pedestrians,” Lutjeharms said.

Morgan said they should just put the signals back.

“Definitely reconsider your decision,” he said.  “Do the right thing and put it back the way it was.  It’s just not a safe idea.”

Lutjeharms said they don’t know how long this study will go on.

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A concerned viewer has told Channel 8 Eyewitness News about a possibly hazardous intersection.

Rob Morgan of Lincoln is legally blind and said the intersection at South 17th and Washington streets has become unsafe since its traffic signals were knocked out more than a month ago.

“Cars going around other cars, you got pedestrians coming close to getting hit,” Morgan said.  “I’ve almost been hit 18 times crossing South 17th alone.”

The city said a thunderstorm damaged the signals and that it’s been conducting a study on whether or not it’s appropriate to put the signal back in service.

They said they’ve put stop signs on Washington Street at the intersection, but some in the neighborhood said that’s not enough.