Actions

Changes coming to several Richmond intersections

Posted at 11:34 PM, May 02, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-02 23:37:37-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Markaja Taylor is the five-year-old girl who was hit by a car near the intersection of Mechanicsville Turnpike and Cool Ln. two weeks ago in Richmond.

"I started crying and screaming," said Taylor.

Taylor is still recovering, but the intersection where she was hit is an area with heavy traffic and pedestrians, but there is no cross walk.

"It would help a lot if there was a crosswalk," said one man who lives nearby.

CBS 6 went to the intersection over the course of several days. Within minutes, our camera captured person after person darting across the street through traffic.

Reporter Chelsea Rarrick took some safety concerns from residents to the Thomas Flynn, the city's Transportation Engineer.

Flynn said the city identified that location that needed an upgrade. He said thanks to a state grant, the city is in the process of upgrading the traffic signal displays to several intersections in the area, which includes Mechanicsville Tpke. and Cool Ln.

Flynn said part of the upgrade includes a pedestrian walk, don't walk countdown.

Markaja and her family said hearing that is welcome news to the neighborhood.

"I'm very glad," said Markaja's mother, Shantelle Walker. "It could have been anyone's child."

Flynn said upgrades to Mechanicsville Tpke. and Cool Ln. should be completed by September.

If you have concerns about intersections in the city, Flynn says to call his department at 804-646-0442

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.