DOT Says No One Wants Midblock Crossing

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — One year ago today (according to the City Clerk’s stamp) Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa made a motion (PDF) asking DOT to report on the cost of placing a midblock crosswalk on Spring Street between 6th and 7th. Now that just happens to be my block, so I was interested to hear about this.

Just a week or so ago DOT finally returned a report (PDF). Basically they say

Results of the study revealed that there is little demand for mid-block crossings and that none of the warrants for the installation of a mid-block traffc signal are met at the present time. The Department has advised both Council Offces that a mid-block signal is not justified and they concur with our findings.

I can’t honestly say I understand how traffic collisions have anything to do with mid-block crosswalk demand. I can say, though, that this is the perfect day of the month to indicate demand. Today is the September Downtown Art Walk, and I will be one of the many people jaywalking as I cross from Modern Art Downtown (#16 on the Art Walk map) to 626 Gallery (#15).