Student‑led safety push wins council backing for rapid‑flashing crosswalk beacons at busy roundabout

A high‑school senior presented community outreach, survey results and incident data highlighting pedestrian visibility and safety problems at two crosswalks of the Landmark Drive/Ute Boulevard roundabout outside the transit center. The student showed photos and local survey responses and asked the county to install crosswalk beacons.

County engineers reported roughly 13,000 vehicles pass the two crosswalk approaches each day and that about half exceed the posted speed in the study data; they recommended rapid flashing beacons for the two multi‑lane crossings where pedestrian exposure and sight‑distance issues are greatest. Council members expressed broad support for the safety improvements and noted budget availability; the council directed staff to proceed with installing the recommended beacons.

Staff said the proposal targets the two highest‑risk crossings this year, with monitoring and a possibility to extend treatment to the other crosswalks later if needed.