Louisville neighbors see proposed safety improvement plans for dangerous stretch of road

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- City officials are trying to improve what many call a dangerous stretch of road that has seen multiple serious crashes.

In April, a security camera on the front porch of a home in the area of 33rd and Northwestern Parkway captured the terrifying moment a car flying through the air and slamming into a tree, just feet away from where a girl had been standing moments before.

The driver survived, and was charged with reckless driving.

This area has been the scene of even greater tragedy. In February, Anna Maria Gonzalez was killed when police said her estranged boyfriend, Scott Drollinger, had been drinking when he lost control of his truck. The truck skidded down the sidewalk for more than 100 yards, taking out fences and crashing into everything in its path. Gonzalez died, and Drollinger was indicted for her murder.

The increase in crashes have prompted renewed calls for safety improvements in the area from neighbors.

Last week, Councilwoman Donna Purvis, D-District 5, announced a community meeting on traffic safety in the area, which was held Monday evening at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Rudd Avenue.

The meeting included the presentation of proposed safety improvements by Metro Public Works, which is pitching a new project along 33rd from Rudd Avenue to Bank.

Leaders are calling it a "quick build," which will add two "parklets" that would have seating and landscaping, taking up some space on the street.

The project also calls for a bike lane and more parking.

The idea is to narrow the road to discourage speeding without spending a large amount of money.

Neighbors who attended the meeting were cautiously optimistic.

"I've had a few cars tore up, my insurance got outrageous, and I just don't know what else is next," said William Bradley, who lives in the area and attended Monday's meeting. "It's here that we had all these people, with different ideas, so something is going to materialize, I hope."

Right now, there is no timeline for when the project could get started. City officials said part of the challenge is that the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet managers part of Northwestern Parkway, so they'll have to work together on solutions in that area.

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