Two pedestrian deaths resurface need for safer crosswalks, sidewalks in Fayetteville

But for the past four months, the city has been working to improve conditions along busy highways.

Some city leaders said they're spending big bucks to make city streets safer for pedestrians.

"We had two pedestrians killed in less than six hours on Fayetteville streets earlier this week," said Fayetteville police officer Larry Donegain. "But the city says its had a plan in place for years to make the crosswalks and sidewalks safer for pedestrians."

You can start to see improvements along sections of Bragg Boulevard. Construction barrels line the street where city leaders and the North Carolina Department of Transportation are working to install sidewalks and automated crosswalks to make it safer for pedestrians to navigate the busy highway.

A road construction site is one of the areas where a pedestrian was struck by a car Wednesday and died.

"Because they're concerned about the construction, so they may not be paying attention and looking for individuals standing in the roadways, especially at night," Donegain said.

Several years ago, during what's known as Fayetteville's big bang annexation, the city inherited several neighborhoods that lacked infrastructure, including sidewalks.

In 2023, the city council approved an $8 million bond to install 14 miles of sidewalks in neighborhoods that need them the most.

"That $8 million bond, that is a great effort," Philip Hart with Fayetteville Traffic Services. "It's going to make a huge impact in the community. But there's still even more, a greater need to continue to do more."

The city is doing more than just making it safer for pedestrians to cross major roads.

For example, state law could require students who live within a mile-and-a-half of a school to walk to school.

"When you have a school located on a major thoroughfare and there's no sidewalk structures for children to walk," Hart said. "That requires the county school systems to provide transportation to those children."

That's why 12 of the 14 miles of sidewalks that are being installed are located within a mile of neighborhood schools.

The city is investing millions of dollars to put in cross walks, safety devices and sidewalks. but they say if pedestrians don't use them, they're not worth a dime.