Officials Take Steps to Slow Traffic on Hazardous Street
The city’s Department of Transportation agreed Wednesday to take measures to slow traffic along a Highland Park street where a young boy was killed Friday by a car.
In a meeting with Councilman Richard Alatorre’s chief of staff, Hilary Norton, transportation officials said they would add a left-hand turn lane and more school zone signs along Figueroa Street in the next month.
Officials also are considering the installation of traffic barriers, zebra-striping on the crosswalks and flashing yellow caution lights along the hilly street.
A car jumped a curb on the street Friday and plowed into a group of children eating ice cream. Matthew Ruiz, 6, was killed and four other children were injured.
Angry residents, who have complained about the traffic for years, submitted a petition with 650 signatures Wednesday asking the city to help make the busy street safer.
Transportation officials have denied Alatorre’s request for a traffic signal, saying the street does not meet the necessary guidelines.
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