Say Yes to Safety; Say No to Street Lights

In 2006, the City Council of Sedona asked ADOT to improve safety on Hwy 89A in West Sedona following the deaths of several pedestrians at night. The deaths occurred mainly in the vicinity of Andante Drive. In June 2007, ADOT proposed 76 street lights be installed along the 2 miles from Dry Creek Rd to Airport Rd. The City Council approved the proposal.

Citizens were outraged at the lighting proposal. On August 15, 2007, Keep Sedona Beautiful presented alternatives including lower speed limit, traffic signal and crosswalk at Andante Drive, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, more signage and more education of drivers and pedestrians.

The city manager set up a safety advisory panel which studied the issues and evidence was presented showing that lights were the least effective measure to implement to improve safety. The panel made short and long term recommendations.

On June 10 City Council voted to accept the short term recommendations: lower speed limit, continued enforcement, bringing the ambient lighting of businesses on 89A into compliance to reduce glare, more education, more signage, and barriers to guide pedestrians to safe crossing areas, and to advance the installation of the traffic signal and crosswalk at Andante to within 18 months. Further lighting options were put into long term planning for redevelopment of 89A. On June 24 the Council voted to reconsider their position. ADOT took more than a month to respond with another proposal. Lights may again be part of the solution. Their proposal will be discussed at the August 13 special session of Council at 4:30PM.