Roanoke City applying for money to improve intersections along WIlliamson Road

Leaders in Roanoke are hoping to make the walk around town a little safer. They're looking at upgrading certain intersections, and it comes as the state is trying to reverse a trend of rising pedestrian crashes.

VDOT Spokesperson Jason Bond says there had been about 80 pedestrian crashes leading up to 2016. In 2016, that number spiked to 120.

Williamson Road is one of the roads that's been identified by the state as a potential problem spot, so the city is looking at what can be done to help change that.

From the door of his dealership, David Manning has a decent view of Broad & Williamson.

David Manning, Sales Manager, said, “My biggest concern is when kids are trying to cross the road. It's kind of putting them in harm's way.”

He's across the street from a school, library, as well as a bus stop.

Manning said, “There's definitely a lot of lot of foot traffic around here.”

While we were out, we saw that foot traffic skipping the intersections altogether, walking through four lanes of traffic instead. This is what Roanoke City Transportation Manager Mark Jamison doesn't like to see.

“The potential for issues is there,” said Jamison.

One of the intersections they're looking to improve one by the Civic Mall, which was the scene of a pedestrian crash in 2017. Earlier this year, VDOT used crash, census and traffic data to come up with spots to focus on across the state.

Jason Bond, VDOT Spokesperson, said, “This is about identifying those priority locations where funding could make some difference in the future.”

Roanoke City took that information and is applying to upgrade three intersections along Williamson. They include Williamson at Compton Avenue, Truman Ave/Broad Street and Preston Ave/Epperly Ave. They'd add sounds for the visually challenged and more stop/go signs.

Jamison said, “And hopefully everybody will get on board and use those.”

David Manning is anxious for Williamson to be more walkable.

Manning said, “It's exciting. It's good. I'm 100% for it. It'd be great for the kids.”

The city is also applying for upgrades downtown. They say they hope to hear back about their application by the end of the year.