Enhance Pedestrian and Motorist Safety on Irving Avenue

Recent signers:
David Ligon and 14 others have signed recently.

The Issue

The tragic pedestrian death on 16th & Irving on June 1st serves as a heart-wrenching reminder of an ongoing safety crisis plaguing Irving Avenue between 15th and 17th Streets. This isn't an isolated incident; it highlights the perilous conditions created by speeding motorists, limited sight lines, and confusing traffic patterns that have long threatened the residents and visitors navigating through this part of Astoria.

The reality is stark: Irving Avenue is a vital corridor for those traveling within our community, yet it remains a hazardous zone where pedestrians and motorists alike face substantial risk daily. 

Following the two hit and run accidents that occured on Irving Avenue on June 1st, the road was closed for most of the day. Within a half hour of the road reopening, one resident watched from their window as another vehicle ran the very stop sign on 17th Street that was the site of the second accident that morning; illustrating that the signage is clearly not enough to ensure safety.

Change is not just necessary—it is urgent. We request the city of Astoria to take tangible steps to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of everyone who uses this stretch of road. Installing clearer signage, disallowing parking near corners, and implementing traffic calming measures, such as radar speed signs and cameras, could vastly improve safety conditions. 

Moreover, re-evaluating traffic patterns in collaboration with traffic safety experts could address the confusion that often befalls out-of-town drivers; the existence of a number of "4-way stops" with exceptions (right turns not being required to stop, for example) are unusual and cause confusion at other intersections. An expert review will help sculpt a road system that's intuitive and protective for all travelers.

We must prioritize the lives and safety of our community members over convenience. Let's make Irving Avenue a safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles alike. Join us in urging the city officials to take immediate action and prevent further loss of life.

Sign this petition to demand change and foster a community where everyone can travel safely without fear or harm.

avatar of the starter
Sarah Jane BardyPetition Starter
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514

Recent signers:
David Ligon and 14 others have signed recently.

The Issue

The tragic pedestrian death on 16th & Irving on June 1st serves as a heart-wrenching reminder of an ongoing safety crisis plaguing Irving Avenue between 15th and 17th Streets. This isn't an isolated incident; it highlights the perilous conditions created by speeding motorists, limited sight lines, and confusing traffic patterns that have long threatened the residents and visitors navigating through this part of Astoria.

The reality is stark: Irving Avenue is a vital corridor for those traveling within our community, yet it remains a hazardous zone where pedestrians and motorists alike face substantial risk daily. 

Following the two hit and run accidents that occured on Irving Avenue on June 1st, the road was closed for most of the day. Within a half hour of the road reopening, one resident watched from their window as another vehicle ran the very stop sign on 17th Street that was the site of the second accident that morning; illustrating that the signage is clearly not enough to ensure safety.

Change is not just necessary—it is urgent. We request the city of Astoria to take tangible steps to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of everyone who uses this stretch of road. Installing clearer signage, disallowing parking near corners, and implementing traffic calming measures, such as radar speed signs and cameras, could vastly improve safety conditions. 

Moreover, re-evaluating traffic patterns in collaboration with traffic safety experts could address the confusion that often befalls out-of-town drivers; the existence of a number of "4-way stops" with exceptions (right turns not being required to stop, for example) are unusual and cause confusion at other intersections. An expert review will help sculpt a road system that's intuitive and protective for all travelers.

We must prioritize the lives and safety of our community members over convenience. Let's make Irving Avenue a safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles alike. Join us in urging the city officials to take immediate action and prevent further loss of life.

Sign this petition to demand change and foster a community where everyone can travel safely without fear or harm.

avatar of the starter
Sarah Jane BardyPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Astoria City Council
2 Members
1 Responded
Elisabeth Adams
Elisabeth Adams
Astoria City Council - Ward 3
“As the Astoria City Councilor for ward 3, I am committed to addressing the traffic safety concerns highlighted in this petition. June 1 the Council received an alert message that a resident was killed in a hit-and-run accident. We later learned that another resident was in the same accident at a nearby location. I waited by the phone for updates from the City Manager and when the location of the accident was disclosed I had similar feelings about that particular intersection. I have been working with the City Manager on our next steps since that time and will would like this opportunity to reach as many people as possible by responding to the petition. While this may not be the most personal way to respond, it will ensure that each of you who took the time to sign the petition and care about this very important issue to have an update. June 2 the Council had its regularly scheduled meeting. Mayor Fitzpatrick called for a moment of silence to recognize our neighbor and friend who was killed. When it was time to give my report, I spoke to the council asking for support and a commitment from all of us to address traffic concerns particularly around pedestrian safety. Since that time I have received many calls and emails asking for next steps that we can take as a community together. I would like to evaluate Environment, Engineering, and Education. The city needs to evaluate the built environment. While each specific accident has circumstances that are unique, we can still evaluate the built environment and its role in the accident. This can be done with staff and by properly activating our Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. This committee serves as an advisory board to the city, engineering division, and the Council on transportation and traffic safety issues. Currently the Astoria planning commission members serve as committee members. Members serve 4 year terms and are appointed by the mayor. They meet quarterly, and the next meeting is scheduled for July. The Committees function should include a robust post accident review process and promotion of prevention programs. Engineering. What suggestions and potential changes can be made through the engineering of that particular intersection or area. How do we engineer changes? Education. How do we disseminate the information to the public and create behavioral changes? Since my time on Council I have received multiple complaints and concerns regarding traffic safety in Ward 3. Excessive speeding, need for better signage, traffic study requests, intersection evaluation requests, construction detour questions and general overall safety concerns for pedestrians and slowing speeds in residential areas are some of the issues that have been raised by the community. An example I’d like to share of a successful safety project is the reconfiguration of Marine Drive. This project was designed and executed by ODOT. The sole purpose of this project was safety. By providing additional safety features, including movable islands for pedestrians, motorists merging into one lane and reducing speeds, the intention is to allow opportunities for a safer section of Marine Drive for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. While this pilot project has been an inconvenience and unpopular to many it has indeed created safety. I use this example to share how we can change behavior through a safety approach. Moving forward at the next city Council meeting during new business I request the Mayor approve a work session where we can evaluate policy direction and how we address traffic safety as a council. It’s important to get our stakeholders involved including the senior center, community college, large employers, multi modal, advocacy groups, CMH, and our public transportation district. Many of you have shared very reasonable suggestions that are low cost investments that can make a big difference. I will need your input and advice to help make these changes. As a member of the NWACT- Northwest Area Commission on Transportation which is a tri-county transportation advisory work group chartered by the Oregon Transportation Commission. Last month I was invited and attended the Oregon Active Transportation Summit in Portland, hosted by the Street Trust. The focus of the summit was to promote safe streets and active transportation for a connected Oregon. This Monday, the statewide transportation package was released and there are historic levels of safety funding which will have objective and fair criteria for local entities to apply for sorely needed complete street grants. I will be in Salem on Wednesday by invitation from the Street Trust for priority testimony to ensure that our lawmakers retain the safety funding included in HB 2025. As a former public transportation professional I assure you that we are going to work on this issue in our backyard and at the state level to make traffic safety policy and funding opportunities a priority. Let’s continue to ask our neighbors, coworkers, and friends to sign this petition. I am confident that we can make a better framework in which our city addresses traffic safety and implements change. Elisabeth Adams Astoria City Council Ward 3”
Andrew Davis
Andrew Davis
Astoria City Council - Ward 1
Sean Fitzpatrick
Sean Fitzpatrick
Astoria City Mayor
engpermits@astoria.gov
engpermits@astoria.gov

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Petition created on June 2, 2025