TOLEDO, Ohio — The city of Toledo has removed planters at an Old Orchard intersection that were put in place in an effort to calm traffic through the neighborhood.
The city said the planters at the intersection of Marvin Avenue and Wendover Drive were removed on Oct. 4 and the intersection has reopened.
"After reviewing the survey results and preliminary traffic study data, it is clear that the intervention did not have the intended effect. Rather than calming traffic throughout the neighborhood, access was blocked for many residents, and traffic was simply relocated to other streets, which was never our goal," the city said.
According to the city, they will continue the traffic study to monitor how traffic patterns respond to the reopening of the intersection and see whether other concerns need to be addressed.
"It's important to note that using low-cost, temporary methods like this is a valuable way to test the effectiveness of various traffic calming measures before permanent installations. We will continue to use this approach as part of our ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety in neighborhoods across Toledo," the city said.
The planters were installed in September, described by the city as a project to enhance the safety and quality of life in the neighborhood.
The four large flower pots prevented motorists traveling on Marvin Avenue from entering Wendover Drive, and motorists from Wendover Drive from entering Marvin Avenue.
The city said in September it took the initiative of the project after receiving requests from neighbors.
If you are interested in exploring alternative traffic calming measures, the city said it has redesigned its traffic calming program "to ensure neighbor participation before implementation."
