INDIANAPOLIS — The George Julian Parent Teacher Student Association recently engaged in a tactical urbanism project along E. Washington St. near Ritter Ave. in front of the school.
After coordinating with Indy DPW, they installed decorated water walls in front of George W. Julian School 57 in the strip of grass between the sidewalk and Washington Street. They also placed water walls in a diamond pattern on Arlington Avenue to prevent passing in the center lane outside of Irvington Community Middle School.
The barriers are placed at the school where Hannah Crutchfield, a student at School #57, was killed at a crossing in 2021. A crossing guard, Michael Sykes, and Hannah’s mother were also injured when an aggressive driver caused the multi-car accident.
The tactical urbanism barriers have also been placed between Arlington and Emerson Ave. on E. 10th St. and in front of Anna Brochhausen School 88 on E. 16th St. between Ritter and Arlington. Neighbors report these areas have become unsafe due to speeding drivers who use the turn lanes as passing lanes and encroach on bike lanes.
The temporary barriers will create an extra layer of safety for pedestrians on the sidewalk and send a visual cue to drivers to slow down. These projects will be used to collect data to inform of possible permanent changes in the future.
