From broken signals to faded markings, crosswalks in Albany have a reputation for being unsafe and inconsistent. Now, local advocates and a councilmember are taking concrete steps to address pedestrian safety.
Julia Battista and Jason DiNovi live in Albany’s Center Square with their two children, ages 4 and 6. Battista and DiNovi are part of a walking pool with another family. The parents alternate who walks the children to school, which is approximately half a mile from their homes. On this particular day, it’s Battista and Dinovi’s turn. Along Lark Street, DiNovi, says his concerns about walking through the Arbor Hill neighborhood have nothing to do with stereotypes.
“People will question us sometimes, like, ‘oh, you walk your kids through Arbor Hill,’ you know, as if their concern is going to be a safety issue.” Said DiNovi. “And what they don’t realize is that the real safety issue here, that it’s just that people drive like maniacs through the neighborhood, and there’s just, there’s that rapid enforcement of just having to deal with a lot of these traps. You know, it’s just different.”…