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The latest fatal accident puts the spotlight on the busy Salinas Corridor

Another fatal hit-and-run crash on East Alisal Street not only puts the dangerous, busy road in the spotlight, but also sheds light on proposed traffic improvements designed to make Alisal Street safer for pedestrians and motorists. “The improvements are not just improvements for cars and motorists, but they also provide an opportunity to make the street significantly safer for pedestrians and cyclists. It will also create additional improvements such as much more green space and places for people to safely walk and gather along the street,” said Kendra Howell, vice chair of the city's Traffic and Transportation Commission. The streetscape master plan is part of a plan to revitalize the Alisal area that includes extensive street improvements and safety improvements. Alisal Street includes better lighting, wider sidewalks, more visible crosswalks, fewer lanes and even installed medians to divide traffic. On Thursday, the city's Traffic and Transportation Commission met to hear about the proposed traffic improvements. That meeting came a day after a man was struck and killed while running a red light near the Foods Co. supermarket. The driver fled but was arrested a short time later. And less than two months ago, a 3-year-old died in another hit-and-run crash as he and his father crossed the street less than a half-mile from Wednesday's fatal crash. “These plans are so important because they actually help lay the groundwork for grants to be awarded to make these projects happen. We wish we had a magic wand and could make the streets perfect right away. It just takes time and money, so we're asking the public for patience,” Howell said. City leaders also need the public's cooperation. The improvements they make once they're completed will only reduce the number of crashes if drivers and pedestrians obey the rules of the road. “It's a partnership with the community. We can do some projects, we can try to improve safety, but at the end of the day we can't regulate or control how you go about your day-to-day life, so you just have to be vigilant,” said City Manager Rene Mendez. The Traffic and Transportation Commission is nearing completion of its review of the proposed traffic improvements and hopes to make a recommendation to the City Council in October.

SALINAS, California —

Another fatal hit-and-run accident on East Alisal Street puts the dangerous and busy road in the spotlight, but also sheds light on planned traffic improvements designed to make Alisal Street safer for pedestrians and motorists.

“The improvements are not just improvements for cars and drivers, but really an opportunity to make the street much safer for pedestrians and cyclists. There will also be additional improvements like much more green space and places for people to safely walk and gather along this corridor,” said Kendra Howell, vice chair of the city's Traffic and Transportation Commission.

The streetscape master plan is part of a plan to revitalize the Alisal area, which includes extensive road improvements and safety improvements.

The Alisal Corridor features better lighting, wider sidewalks, more visible crosswalks, fewer lanes, and even planted medians to divide traffic.

On Thursday, the city's Traffic and Transportation Commission met to discuss planned traffic improvements. The meeting came a day after a man was struck and killed while running a red light near the Foods Co. supermarket. The driver fled but was arrested a short time later.

And less than two months ago, a 3-year-old died in another hit-and-run accident as he and his father crossed the road less than half a mile from Wednesday's fatal crash.

“These plans are so important because they actually help lay the groundwork for grants to be awarded that can make these projects a reality. We wish we had a magic wand and could make the roads perfect right away. It just takes time and money, so we ask the public for patience,” Howell said.

The city administration also needs the cooperation of the population. The improvements it has made, once completed, will only reduce the number of accidents if drivers and pedestrians follow the traffic rules.

“It's a partnership with the community. We can do some projects, we can try to make it safer, but ultimately we can't regulate or control how you go about your day to day, so you have to be vigilant too,” said City Manager Rene Mendez.

The Traffic and Transportation Commission is nearing completion of its review of proposed traffic improvements and hopes to make a recommendation to City Council in October.

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