LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Broadway is one of the most dangerous drives in Louisville, and now the city wants to make it safer.Â
The city of Louisville is seeking proposals for a Broadway master plan, a complete redo of the six-mile path that's a main gateway into downtown. City leaders came together Thursday to discuss the proposed $170 million makeover just a day after two brothers were hurt at Broadway and 31st Street while walking to the bus stop.
It's a tragic reminder for other families still mourning those who've died on this same street.
"As soon as I heard about the two brothers that got hit on Broadway, my mind went right back to October when Erick got hit," said Malisa Thornton, whose brother-in-law, Erick Thornton, was killed at Broadway and 15th Street last year while he was walking to Beecher Terrace to visit his dad.
"After he got hit by the car, he ended up passing away at the scene, and it took a really big toll on the Thornton family," Thornton said.
She said the family is still haunted by the intersection where he died.
"We can't ride in the left lane," she said. "My husband says 'Get over. You're running over Erick.' Because that's where he was laying at. We have a hard time going down Broadway."
She said Broadway needs "a whole new makeover" to make it safe, and the city is now looking at ways to do just that.
The Broadway master plan will be a complete makeover for the six-mile stretch between Cave Hill and Shawnee. That could mean fewer or more narrow driving lanes to slow traffic and bike lanes.
Thornton hopes that includes better lighting and even speed bumps in some areas.
"It's a big deal to have Broadway safer, because there's too many people that have been getting killed," she said.
Planning for the project should start next year. If funding is approved, construction could start in 2020.
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