Pedestrian Island on Monroe Avenue

This page offers information and concerns related to the newly installed pedestrian island installed by the City of Rochester on Monroe Avenue between Culver Road & Werner Park.

Background

In 2024 the City of Rochester announced plans to make a variety of road related improvements in the Monroe Avenue, Culver Road, University Avenue areas. Information & links related to the plan/project may be found on this page: PROJECT: 2025 Preventative Maintenance Project (Culver/University).

Among other changes the city proposed the installation of an accessible pedestrian island to augment the existing crosswalk on Monroe Avenue between Culver Road and Werner Park. (Bus stops are located across from each other at that location.) The island was intended to calm traffic and protect pedestrians crossing at that location; in particular, a relatively high number of mobility impaired users (including those who are wheelchair-bound) in the vicinity.

The City held a several public meetings to present the plan and receive input from the the community before the work was undertaken in the second half of 2025. In addition to the city's efforts, UMNA residents in our area were alerted to these plans on this site as well as in newsletters and UMNA social media.

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040924 Public Mtg Washington Grove New Sign Clean Sweep State of City Creativity & Energy Other Activitiespdf.pdf

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041924 Clean Sweep Road Construction Washington Grove Share Ideas Forestry Plan UMNA Calendar.pdf

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UMNA representatives participated at public meetings and submitted suggestions as well as comments. UMNA generally supported aspects of the project that were slated for the Upper Monroe Area, including the pedestrian island.

UMNA updated residents along the way and as the projects began to unfold.

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102724 Meeting Future Monroe Avenue Plant Exchange UMNA Fall Meeting Portage Trail More Fire Glass Fall Leaf Pickup Road Project 2025.pdf

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050825 Monroe Ave Signups PAC TAC Cobbs Hill Landmark Status Reservoir Changes Road Construction Gardener Workshop Gardeners Recognized Lilac Festival Ladybug Day.pdf

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While some elements of the larger project are still underway, work on the pedestrian island was completed late in 2025.

A summary of the controversy

Almost immediately as the pedestrian island was finishing up it became apparent drivers were having trouble seeing the new element of the roadscape and successfully navigating that section of Monroe Avenue. The city was very slow to add signage and other safety elements to the island compelling some neighbors to place privately owned orange cones on the island while the City completed the work. Even after signage and reflectors were added by the City drivers were still having significant trouble. More than once it appeared vehicles hit the island and damaged what little signage was present.

When seasonal winds picked up and snow starting falling in November and early December the situation with vehicles worsened. Wind gusts knocked down temporary reflectors and other warnings to drivers. In addition, because incident snowfall was below the 4" threshold for sidewalk plowing, accumulated snow made the crosswalk unpassable for those with mobility issues. But, even if the crosswalk had been plowed, users were beginning to express fear of using the island due to concerns around unsafe conditions. City crews were very slow to correct the situation.

All during this time neighbors and representatives of UMNA repeatedly wrote to the city and called 311 with slow or no results by city crews.

Update January, 2026

Photos by Laurie Kash

When snow accumulated in the second half of December the situation went from very bad to terrible; at times bordering on near disaster. By January 1st there had been at least two additional crashes on the island taking out one "permanent" sign and causing significant damage to another. Even with the accumulating snow, sidewalk plows have been unable to adequately clear the way for pedestrians.

As a result of these hazards and an inadequate response by the City, the value of this pedestrian island has been called into serious question. There is concern that the design and implementation may be fatally flawed. While UMNA has not yet called for removal of the island, some neighbors have begun to do just that and express their frustration in the process.