With the construction of the new state-of-the-art Brightwood-Lincoln School, the pedestrian tunnel connecting Birnie Ave to Plainfield Street under the railway tracks, and the increased activity of programs and services at the New North Citizens Council’s Youth Services Center, the crosswalk at the intersection of Birnie Ave and Arch Street has seen a significant increase in the amount of pedestrian traffic. As a result, and upon the request from Mayor Sarno and Councilor Perez, DPW Director Chris Cignoli has initiated plans to review and enhance pedestrian and vehicle traffic at this intersection.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Councilor Maria Perez and New North Citizens Council President Carmen Santana for always being proactive for their neighborhood and bringing these concerns to our attention. My administration has advanced numerous neighborhood and roadway enhancement projects throughout our city and we are always looking at ways to make them even safer for our residents. DPW Director Chris Cignoli will carefully review this intersection and work with Councilor Perez and the New North Citizens Council as this roadway and pedestrian safety project gets underway.”
DPW Director Cignoli stated, “Hearing the concerns from Councilor Perez and the neighborhood, the DPW will begin initial plans to review and advance the roadway and pedestrian safety enhancements at the intersection of Birnie Ave and Arch Street. We’ll begin with the design phase this winter and anticipate this will go out to bid sometime in the Spring or Summer of 2025.”
“I want to thank Mayor Sarno and his administration for always listening to our neighborhoods. As the City Councilor and a strong advocate for Ward 1 and the North End, I work closely with the neighborhood council, the Mayor’s Office and all of our city departments to make sure any issues or concerns are heard and addressed. With the activity at our New North Citizens Council Youth Services Center on Birnie Ave and the students and families that use the pedestrian tunnel to go between Birnie Ave and Plainfield Street, the existing crosswalk at this intersection isn’t enough. We need something to better enhance safety for our pedestrians and the vehicle traffic. I have the full confidence in DPW Director Chris Cignoli and his team of engineers that they will be able to find a workable solution to address this issue,” said Councilor Maria Perez.
