Pittsburgh City Council

Painting the pavement at a busy Larimer intersection could make crossing safer.

Written by Amy Whipple

Larimer may soon join the list of neighborhoods where art and pedestrian safety intersect.

During its July 15 committee meeting, council voted to move forward with an agreement that would allow the Larimer Consensus Group to install a street mural at the high-traffic intersection of Larimer Avenue and Meadow Street.

Street murals, also known as asphalt art, are a colorful traffic calming measure. According to a 2022 study, intersections with art saw a 50% decrease in crashes involving pedestrians and a 37% decrease in crashes that lead to injuries.

“This initiative represents an important opportunity to celebrate community identity, elevate local artists, and create a vibrant public space that reflects the voices and experiences of Larimer residents,” said Council Member Khari Mosley of Point Breeze North, whose district includes Larimer, in a letter of support to the Public Art & Civic Design Commission. 

Other community-installed and -inspired art include murals at Baum Grove in Friendship and in front of the Woods Run Branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Traffic calming measures are part of Pittsburgh’s involvement in Vision Zero, an international initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

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