A controversial crosswalk adjacent to LaVell Edwards Stadium was removed Wednesday by the Utah Department of Transportation, which originally placed it there.

The crosswalk at 1820 N. University Ave. has been the site of several auto-pedestrian accidents, including the recent death of Rebecca Blazzard, a 24-year-old BYU student.

"UDOT, BYU and Provo City made the decision to remove it after our student was hit," said BYU spokesperson Carri Jenkins.

Officials met last Thursday at the BYU Police Department to discuss options to improve pedestrian safety at the crosswalk.

The meeting was attended by Provo city police and traffic officers, BYU's police chief and Parking and Traffic officials as well as UDOT administrators, according to BYU Lieutenant Arnold Lemmon.

"There had already been dialogue about traffic and pedestrians and everybody jumped on the bandwagon," Lemmon said.

They determined the safest way for pedestrians to cross University Avenue is on either side of the former crosswalk at one of the lighted traffic crossings at University Parkway or 2230 N. University Ave.

A five-year study conducted by the Federal Traffic Administration reported that the crash rate on four-lane roads is higher for marked crosswalks than unmarked pedestrian crossings.

"Everything that is being done on 1820 North addresses that study," Lemmon said. "You make the best decision based on the best information."

The former pedestrian crossing connected Wyview Park student housing and LaVell Edwards Stadium and was used primarily by students, many of whom argued that University Avenue, a four-lane state road with a 45 MPH speed limit, was no place for a pedestrian crossing.

"I think it is a good idea to remove it," said Krista Cockerill, a 23-year old Wyview Park resident from Kansas majoring in speech and language pathology. "Safety is one of the reasons why I drive to campus, but my roommates walk and I am always worried that they will be hit."

Warning signs have been posted to address concerns that the removal of the crosswalk will increase jaywalking.

BYU police have also stepped up patrolling to direct students to cross at the light rather than the former crosswalk.

"We have provided police presence with the agreement of Provo Police," Lemmon said.

Some students say they believe this is only a short-term answer.

"My biggest concern is that this is a temporary Band-Aid solution and they will forget about it five or six months down the road," said Rob Sanders, a 22-year-old student from Magna majoring in broadcast journalism. "I think a long-term solution should be an island."

An island would allow a pedestrian to focus on only two-lanes of traffic coming from the same direction at a time. Islands are also more visible to drivers and will signal them to stop.

A Facebook group called "Fix the University Avenue Crosswalk" was created to address the situation. Members of the group have suggested building an overpass or skywalk. They argue that this would alleviate pedestrian traffic come football season.

"A skywalk would be the best option but they are expensive," Sanders said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Jan 2008