RICHMOND, Va. -- Broad and 14th street at the entrance to I-95 is one of the busiest intersections in downtown Richmond. Throughout the day, hundreds if not thousands of pedestrians are forced to dodge distracted drivers in a rush to get to and from work or school.
A viewer contacted CBS 6 Problem Solvers Wednesday after witnessing a three car accident this morning in hopes that drivers will be more careful, pay more attention, and slow down for people crossing this street.
"People will just turn and will be literally within a couple of inches of you. They just don't seem to care,” said Rachel Lee a medical student at VCU Medical Center.
For pedestrians that use the crosswalk in downtown Richmond near the ramp to Interstate 95, getting across six lanes of traffic is extremely dangerous.
Mary McDougal, who works downtown, says multiple employees have been hit and even had injuries at the intersection.
"They've gotten struck by either hit and run or some people have stopped and they've had minor injuries, but three different people have been hit," she said.
Jeff Roby who crosses the intersection twice a day added, "sometimes when people are turning left here they might run the red light so you just got to watch out for that."
This is been an issue the city has been dealing for years.
In 2013, Richmond City Council put together a plan for a $380,000 pedestrian bridge that would cross over the eastbound Broad Street ramp and the ramp to I-95. The city was told to pay $75,000 to the Virginia Department of Transportation, but no work was ever started on the project.
"A pedestrian bridge would be great idea; or they need a traffic light," said McDougal. "People don't realize when their driving that there's a crosswalk there and they take it for granted and there's a lot of traffic.”
But until they build a bridge or add signage, commuters to and from work or school get by anyway they can.
"I'm shocked that I haven't seen someone get seriously injured... as much jaywalking that goes across right here. It's just dangerous," said Jeff Lodge who crosses the intersection four times a day.
V-DOT tells CBS 6 they currently don't have a project relating to a pedestrian bridge in their project management system. Richmond City Public Works said they will look into the matter and will get back with CBS 6 on Thursday.
CBS 6 News is working for you. Click here to email a tip to the CBS 6 Problem Solvers. Be sure to leave us your name, phone number and detailed description of the problem. You can also leave a message by calling 804-254-3672.
