TULSA -- Despite minor improvements at the intersection at 15th street and Peoria avenue, businesses are still concerned for their safety and hope for better traffic flow.
15th, or Cherry street, and Peoria Avenue is a popular intersection that connects midtown to downtown.
As hostess of Palace Cafe, Celina Harrison gets a firsthand look at the traffic that goes through that intersection.
"It is a very dangerous intersection considering the fact that I just stand at the window everyday watching the traffic," said Harrison.
The restaurant has literally felt the impact of cars driving in the intersection. They have dealt with vehicles plowing into their restaurant a handful of times throughout the past few years. Most recently, two incidents spanning over a month back in the spring.
"We’ve been here for a really long time and it’s happened less than a handful of times so I mean it was more of a shocker that it happened twice in one month," said Harrison.
City officials say they recently replaced the traffic poles at the intersection and moved them off the sidewalk, which gives more room for pedestrians.
Harrison says they could take a step further in directing traffic in a smoother way.
"There’s not a 'turn only' sign painted on the ground or anything, people tend to start driving straight and once they realize that it leads to a one way…they spend their time honking at the other person like 'hey I’m trying to get back into the right lane'," said Harrison.
City officials say they have a $2.8 million rehabilitation project planned for Peoria between 11th and 21st streets, but don't have a time set for that construction. Improvements include new pavement, and fixing sewer lines underneath the roads.
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