Hi Niko,
I’m writing this to you more urgently because I am seeing a window of danger and vulnerability when users cross from Lakeside to Rowell using the new, parallel multi-user infrastructure (i e, the right side of photo w/o crosswalk).
Design is the culprit. Users reach the end of the path but are not directed further eg with a bright crosswalk that would also alert drivers to take care of users.
Further, my “perch” pointed out in the middle of the adjacent crosswalk is behind the new infra users and as a result I cannot control their intersection or protect them.
This is extremely dangerous because there is no way for me to get in front of the users with my sign to protect them from oncoming right turns by drivers.
I will say that we have already had two fairly close calls and one involving a small girl on a three-wheeler with her mother. A semi truck slowed to make the right turn when she was in that window. I was very uncomfortable with the distance and spoke with mother to help mitigate.
My recommendations would provide urgent preventive measures. First paint a second safe and bright crosswalk from the new infra crossing Rowell and slightly merging maybe or not with the other crosswalk in front of Acupuncturist.
Second, a crossing guard needs a second perch just off the new second crosswalk to be in front of all infra users to control and to protect all users for safe crossing every time.