Connecting local Highway 65 to both Minneapolis and the northern Twin Cities metro suburbs, Central Avenue is the main road that can get you anywhere in Columbia Heights. Like its name suggests, it’s also a major artery to downtown for countless commuters, meaning that over time, Central has become no longer safe for new and experienced drivers alike.
Between rampant speeding and drivers cutting other people off, Central Avenue keeps your head constantly swiveling to check your mirror, blind spots and speedometer. As someone who works at a business located right on this street, I cannot count on my hands the number of times I have watched someone speed down the road with a police car right behind them, creating a hostile environment for drivers, not to mention pedestrians and residents. One of the big reasons why Central Ave is so busy it because of how many little shops and food spots there is to go too.
“Central Avenue has been changing ever since we moved here — it’s become really fun and cool it nice to walk to get food since there is so many options,” Laki Mohamud (7) said. “I also like how it has many different things to do such as [the public] library on Central.”
Another reason Central has become dangerous is the new white, reflective markers called “bump outs” or “curb extensions” placed at intersections so pedestrians have a safe walking space when crossing or on the side of the road. Many drivers seem to still not care and will hit these plastic extensions constantly, causing damage to government property along with their own cars, as well as putting pedestrians in harm’s way. Broken plastic on the road could also lead to a flat tire on someone’s car or bicycle.
And this is not a concern just during rush hour in the morning or late afternoon, either. With new apartment buildings popping up such as Ratio. which doubles as the new Columbia Heights City Hall directly on Central Avenue, more and more people are both using that road to get to and from work and patronizing various local businesses, but it’s also leading to an influx in families living in close proximity to a great amount of traffic and careless drivers. As anyone who attends or has family attend Columbia Heights Public Schools well knows, Central is also a main thoroughfare for anyone trying to get to or from Columbia Academy, Valley View Elementary, Columbia Heights High School or Highland Elementary. “I drive on central every weekday morning. The most concerning behavior I witness is pedestrians running across several lanes of traffic. It’s alarming. There are so many place to turn in and out of businesses’ that even with the stop lights it’s incredibly dangerous to jaywalk.” (Mrs Jessica Bolles)
In addition to my school and work commutes, about once a week, I drive Highway 65 north to rural areas further outside of the metro. I have learned that, ironically, I feel safer driving at faster speeds such as 65 miles per hour in the dark with long steep ditches just thirty feet or so away from my car than I do when I drive a mere 30 MPH on Central Ave where it’s congested and stressful. City living is more exciting, sure, but there’s something to be said for peace and quiet in the country, especially when you’re not constantly worried about
