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Walking along Taylor Boulevard near the Watterson Expressway, there are already a lot of issues pedestrians must face—crossing off ramps designed for speed rather than safety, a lack of crosswalks on a five-lane highway, motorists darting in and out of parking lots. Soon, however, worrying about pigeon droppings while walking underneath the enormous Watterson Expressway overpass won’t be one of them.

Pigeons on the Watterson overpass at Taylor Boulevard. (Courtesy Google)
Pigeons on the Watterson overpass at Taylor Boulevard. (Courtesy Google)

District 15 Councilwoman Marianne Butler has partnered with Metro Louisville Public Works and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to implement a plan to deal with the “pigeon problem” at the intersection of the Wyandotte, Jacobs, Hazelwood, and Beechmont neighborhoods.

“We will try something new to keep the pigeons from nesting over the sidewalk portions of the underpass,” Butler said in a November 4 press announcement. “Anyone who uses the sidewalks here knows just how bad the pigeon droppings have become and it’s a health issue we want to correct.”

The dark shadow of the Watterson on Taylor Boulevard. (Courtesy Google)
The dark shadow of the Watterson on Taylor Boulevard. (Courtesy Google)

Work began last week to install “preventive materials in the underpass to keep the pigeons from nesting,” according to the release. Butler noted that the plan won’t harm the pigeons.

While this is a welcome start toward improving the pedestrian experience along Taylor Boulevard, there’s plenty more than can be done, from lighting, to pedestrian crossings near Wyandotte Park, to redesigning Taylor Boulevard to calm the superhighway-like traffic and make walking safer in general.

What would you like to see done to improve walking in the area?

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Branden Klayko

5 COMMENTS

  1. This area desperately needs more crosswalks and/or medians. People frequently run across the street, in traffic mostly, and it’s not safe for drivers, cyclists or pedestrians.

  2. I am thinking speed probably was a factor. I have had the same situation with a person in total dark clothes crossing at the very same intersection. There are no skid marks whatsoever at this crossing today, the day after the fatality.
    I did not witness what happened.
    May the repose of her soul rest in peace. Dear Jesus Hold this family in the palm of your hands.
    The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Thanh T. Tran, 64, was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. on Monday. She died of multiple blunt force injuries.
    Tran lived in the 4900 block of Southside Drive, the same block where the accident happened.
    The driver of the tow truck was not injured.

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