Residents React to Frazier Avenue Changes
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Citizens on the Chattanooga Northshore are reacting to Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly’s announcement Monday about traffic calming measures.
This is while we have learned new details on what one eyewitness, who wishes to remain anonymous, saw in that fatal crash.
That witness said, “Everything happened so quickly. It wasn’t until after it happened that everybody in the area started to react to it.”
The fatal Northshore crash that killed 41 year old Ana Posso Rodriguez and her one year son Jonathan Devia is still fresh on the minds of those who live and frequent the Northshore.
The witness recalled, “Both the mother and the baby didn’t show any signs of life.”
We have learned as well via a translator for family affected that the third victim in this case, Octavio Devia, is still in critical condition at a local hospital.
His family said he came out of a coma four days ago and has undergone a series of surgeries, but is still barely able to verbally communicate at this time.
Mayor Kelly announced Monday that for the rest of the month on weekends, Frazier Avenue will be reduced to one lane each way from Market Street to Tampa Street.
Additionally, the speed limit has been reduced in the area to 25 miles per hour, and News 12 witnessed several drivers get pulled over by Chattanooga Police along Frazier Avenue.
One resident, Jon LaRosa, said, “It’s better than nothing, but, I’m a little bit disappointed that the changes are only going to be on the weekends, and I’m a little bit disappointed on how it’s being done.”
LaRosa said he is troubled by those who don’t want to lose the parking spots along Frazier Avenue.
He said, “want to tell the City Council, this is what we are giving up for pedestrian safety is nine parking spots, and that’s even just temporary. Like I said, the road can be changed such that the parking spots can be kept and pedestrians and bicyclists and people with mobility impairments can be safer.”
Others agree that any potential headaches are worth the benefits.
A Northshore visitor, Donald Gallagher, said, “ We want pedestrian traffic more than we want people driving through, and it’s going to be inconvenient for the people who live here probably, but they’ll have to get used to it. I mean, I know it’s the way we’ve always done it this way, but we want people walking through here.
LaRosa said, “Traffic will move a little bit slower, but it won’t move that much slower than it does now because more people will feel safer biking and walking.”
The suspect in the case, Randy Vega, is awaiting his preliminary hearing in January on a $500,000 bond.
