Town Manager Grady Miller announced he is putting together a panel to discuss and recommend measures to enhance pedestrian safety in Fountain Hills. Miller told the council at its annual planning retreat on Feb. 7 that the issue has become a priority over the past year due to incidents that have included five fatalities involving pedestrians in Fountain Hills. There were also other accidents involving pedestrian injuries.

“This has become very much a concern over the past year,” Miller said.

He is asking Mayor Ginny Dickey to serve along with another council member and staff with public works and engineering expertise to work through potential solutions.

Two main areas of concern, The Avenue of the Fountains intersections at Verde River and La Montana, are already slated for changes.

Work is scheduled to begin in March on interim changes at La Montana. There will be pavement barriers installed to reduce the number of lanes through the intersection to make it clear where motorists are to go as they travel through the intersection.

Also, farther west on the Avenue, the lane across the median into the post office will be widened to accommodate traffic in both directions on the Avenue. This is designed to eliminate U-turns at La Montana.

What is being installed as temporary is expected to be made permanent when funds are available and the effectiveness of the change is evaluated.

At Verde River Drive there is an engineering study underway to evaluate the possibility of four-way stop at the intersection. The study is also looking at possible crosswalks connecting the ends of the plaza on either side of the intersection.

Miller said the recommendations of the study group will be brought back to the council for discussion.

“We would like to be able to budget some of the measures next fiscal year,” Miller said.