New art crosswalks aims to improve pedestrian safety

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - The Thornton Park District in Orlando is getting an upgrade, but it's more than just an art installation.

Artistic crosswalks are making a debut at Summerlin and Washington avenues. The new black-and-white swan crosswalks are already grabbing attention.

"I think it's beautiful," said Chandra White, pedestrian, "It beautifies the area, makes it look nice."

The Thornton Park Main Street District is partnering with the City of Orlando on the $7,000 project. It may look like an art project but it's actually intended to address a public safety concern.

"This is a problem area with people just running through when people are walking, so hopefully this helps a little bit," said Joe and Jamie, pedestrians.

"People tend to not pay attention, even people who are walking tend to be on their phones, you can't really tell what they're doing, people don't tend to stop here, and we have a lot of pedestrian activity," said Patty Sheehan, Orlando City Commissioner, District 4.

Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan spearheaded the project. She wanted the change to be effective but also attractive.

"Sometimes, these traffic engineering projects can be hideous, I get very upset when I see something and say 'Oh, it's looks worse than before we started.' This is really something that stands out," said Sheehan.

But not everyone agrees the change will improve safety.

"I doubt it," said Ally Kane, pedestrian. She thinks the two-way stop intersection can be confusing. "I don't know if this will help, but we'll see."

Sheehan says in the few days the crosswalk has been in place, she's already seen an improvement.

"Look at all of these people looking, and they're not on their phones, I love that people are actually paying attention, looking at it," said Sheehan, "I've even noticed the drivers paying more attention, they never, people are constantly flying through here, look at all of them, I love it, I think it's doing exactly what it was intended to do."

A similar crosswalk is being planned near Orlando Health's campus, Sheehan says orange slices will be painted on that one.