Broken crosswalk light creates dangerous intersection

Pedestrians say lives at risk crossing street without working light

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A broken crosswalk light is making something as simple as crossing the street a safety hazard at one Arlington intersection, residents say.

News4Jax spotted several people trying to cross one of the busiest roads in Arlington on Wednesday without the help of the crosswalk light.

“I don't think it's really safe. I mean, if you have to run cross the street just to get somewhere, especially during the school time,” pedestrian Kristie said.

The broken lights are at the intersection of University Boulevard North and Gable Lane on the West and Wiltshire Street on the East -- just feet from where a man was hit and killed while walking Sunday night.

Kristie, who declined to give her last name, said crossing that part of University Boulevard is a test of timing,  strategy and sometimes speed.

“Well you can't get across the street unless you run across the street with the cars going everywhere,” she said.

That's because the crosswalk light that would tell her whether it's safe to walk or not, doesn't work, so she does her best to figure it out on her own.

She's not the only one. Another woman and child were seen waiting at the intersection. With no light, they ended up walking across when they saw a break in traffic.

According to the city's website, the city installs and maintains street markings, signs, signals and other vehicular and pedestrian traffic control devices on city-owned roadways.​

City officials said they haven't received any complaints about the broken lights at the intersection.

City officials didn't say what other methods, if any, they use to find broken lights, but News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said they are a hazard for pedestrians.

“That could be confusing to them because they are not sure if there is a right turn (or) left turn that could be coming into the intersection,” Smith said. “If traffic were allowed to turn into an intersection, then that light will not come on, so they are on their own since the walk and don't walk sign is not working.”

For now, the sign hangs, broken while pedestrians make their way through traffic without it. They said it's putting their lives in danger.

Kristie said she just wants one thing.

“That they fix it so that we can get across the street,” she said.

Residents who see an issue like broken crossing lights can contact the city about it at 630-CITY.