Removal of traffic lights at 4 Old Louisville intersections meant to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Traffic signals are being swapped for stop signs at a handful of intersections in Old Louisville, a temporary initiative safety officials hope will make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.

The trial project in one of the city's most historic neighborhoods — filled with dense, walkable streets — is aimed at stopping drivers from riding the wave of green lights all the way through the area, incentivizing them to speed up as they heard toward a yellow.

So to get drivers to pump the brakes, the city will ditch traffic lights altogether at four intersections:

1st Street and Magnolia Avenue
1st Street and Burnett Avenue
Brook Street and Burnett Avenue
Brook Street and Magnolia Avenue

Chris Glasser, president of Streets for People, a Louisville nonprofit dedicated to improving the safety of the city's streets, said they pushed for the city to convert these intersections to four-way stops.

"We want neighborhoods to feel vibrant and safe," Glasser said.

Taesean Wilson, who works at Burger Boy on South Brook Street, said while making roads safer — keeping people from running yellow and red lights — the changes have also caused confusion and led to backups.

"The traffic light makes things flow better," Wilson said.

But the model has worked in the past. Back in 2019, traffic lights were taken down at several intersections along Cherokee Road.

Streets for People, which says it aims to "transform Louisville's streets & neighborhoods into vibrant, active places - making walking, biking, and transit safe and convenient for everyone," is asking for the switch at nearly 20 intersections in Old Louisville.

Appreciate @WDRBNews covering the traffic safety improvements happening in Old Louisville, and why all-way stops reduce both the number and severity of crashes.

Thanks especially to @adischanienews! pic.twitter.com/XntMYWK1Jc
— Streets For People 🌳 🚴🚶🚌 (@Streets4Peeps) January 8, 2024

And other neighborhoods are expected to follow suit. Metro Public Works said a handful of traffic signals along 7th and 8th streets south of Broadway are also scheduled for removal, part of a stalled project city-wide to convert several one-way streets to two-way.

"Metro Public Works is looking to make these changes across the city," Glasser said Monday.

Right now, the project is in a 90-day trial period. If data show that drivers slowed down, the lights will be taken down for good.

"I fully expect the changes will be made permanent," Glasser said.

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