A project to make a D.C. road safer for pedestrians appears to be on the fast track.
Two women died in recent months after being struck by cars while trying to cross Southern Avenue SE after leaving United Medical Center, the only hospital in the city without a traffic light and crosswalk at its entrance.
Monday two bus stops were moved so workers could install a crosswalk. Flashing pedestrian crossing signs are coming, and by December, a pedestrian-activated traffic light should be in place.
Lanham, Maryland, resident, Emebet Kebede, 56, was hit by a black Chevrolet Tahoe last week in the 1300 block of Southern Avenue SE, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Kebede, a longtime physician's assistant, was leaving work.
In April, 68-year-old Faith Pine was struck and killed in the same area.
Though a bus stop is right across the street from the entrance to United Medical Center, the closest traffic light and crosswalk was almost two blocks down the street.
