Photo courtesy Chad West
For the second time in the last year, the city is attempting to calm traffic at the Sylvan-Colorado intersection in North Oak Cliff.
Water barriers and reflective delineators were installed along the North-bound lane of Sylvan earlier this week, after neighbors expressed concerns about the intersection for “years.” Neighbor Doug Taylor, who has tracked accidents at the intersection going back to 2015, said an accident occurs “nearly every time it rains” due to the high speeds motorists reach on the thoroughfare and the semi-blind turn.
According to city council member Chad West, the water barriers and reflective delineators were a suggestion by neighbors that was agreed upon by city staff.
“We will give the items a try and see if they are impactful and could some how be incorporated into a long-term solution,” West said.
Redesigning the intersection is one of the key projects listed in Proposition A of the 2024 Bond which will go before voters May 4. West said that assuming the bond is approved by voters, the redesigns will allow the city to pursue county and federal funds to help finance the intersection’s reconstruction.
The water barriers are the city’s second attempt to calm traffic at the intersection while efforts for a redesign are underway. Last summer, rumble strips were installed along Sylvan Avenue in the hopes they would encourage slower speeds.
“Data indicated that the strips had been successful in other locations. But many neighbors – myself included – did not see a significant reduction in speed after installation of the rumble strips,” West said. “Further, the disruption to the quality of life along the corridor was unacceptable. ”
The rumble strips were uninstalled only a month after being put in.
