I created a dvd to show the menacing traffic at 6:30 a.m. at the corner of Ardrey Kell and Travis Gulch, after my attempts to address this issue with CDOT, CMS, CMPD, and NCDOT failed to provide a 'safe walk to school' for our children. In my attempt to provide a rationale for a 'safe crossing', I sent numerous academic journal articles and government legislature as evidence our request held merit. As I waited a response from various members of government, a student from our neighborhood was hit by a car. Not long after the incident, my neighbor contacted a CDOT representative to request a 'safe crossing' at the corner, because he is blind and does not feel safe at that intersection. After months of emails, Mr. Gallup at CDOT responded to me on February 4, 2010,
"... I understand your disappointment. We strongly advocate walking where walking makes sense and is safe. In the case of Ardrey Kell and Travis Gulch, simply marking a crosswalk is not safe based on traffic studies conducted at the intersection.
Here are the minutes from the committee (relative to my request about the January Mid-Block Committee meeting )reviewing this location.
>Ardrey Kell Rd @ Travis Gulch Rd (MB-32-09)
>A resident has requested a crossing at this location to access a nearby school. The conditions at this intersection prevent the installation of a crossing treatment such as medians or refuge islands. The committee did recommend a traffic signal as the most appropriate solution for pedestrian crossing needs. The committee will request a signal evaluation. If a signal is warranted or otherwise approved, some sidewalk enhancements could be installed in conjunction with that project."
Although I attempted to follow-up with CDOT, to date a 'safe crossing' has not been initiated.
LET"S HELP JOHN HELP US KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE!

site : School Speed Zone and School Crossing Program http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Transportation/Traffic/Pages/School%20Zones.aspx
two of several journals I provided;
Active commuting to school: an overlooked source of childrens' physical activity? Full Text Available (includes abstract); Tudor-Locke C; Ainsworth BE; Popkin BM; Sports Medicine, 2001; 31 (5): 309-13 - ( Healthy People 2010 agenda referenced)
Promoting and protecting the health of children and young people.Full Text Available (includes abstract); Licence K; Child: Care, Health & Development, 2004 Nov; 30 (6): 623-35 (road engineering that protects child pedestrians)

this is very badly needed in our neighborhood... it is long overdue and surprising there is not one allready there... as the mother or special needs twins, safety is very important to me!!! Please take whatever steps are needed to make this happen for our neighborhood!!!!

we need to protect our children... it takes a village - I say YES... we definitely need a cross walk!

REceived a message from Mr. Williams at CDOT. CDOT is 'in design' for a crosswalk 300 feet east of Travis Gulch. Thank you to everyone who voted for a crosswalk and BIG THANKS to JOHN for helping keep our community SAFE!!

A crosswalk is now in the design stage 300 yards east of Travis Gulch Road. Thank You!!