The City of Tucson is moving forward with plans to enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety on Congress Street and Grande Avenue, areas known for heavy traffic and, in some instances, fatal accidents.
The effort , prompted by community input and supported by voter-approved bond measures, focuses on making these streets safer for all users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The project, managed by the Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility , aims to address safety concerns that were heightened after a 2021 incident in which a young girl lost her life due to a red-light-running crash at the intersection of Congress Street and Grande Avenue.
The tragedy spurred the Menlo Park Neighborhood Association to advocate for improvements and the city responded with a comprehensive Road Safety Assessment completed in late 2021.
Ben Elias, project manager for the Department of Transportation and Mobility, explained the project’s origin.
“One of the starting points was Tucson Delivers Parks and Connections,” Elias said, referencing the voter-backed initiative that includes Proposition 407. “Grande Avenue is one of those connections we’re looking to improve, especially for pedestrian safety and walkability.”