A third-party traffic study concluded that a traffic signal is not warranted at the intersection of East Belleview Avenue and South Franklin Street [1].

The findings place the Cherry Hills Village City Council in a difficult position as they balance technical engineering standards against a history of fatal accidents at the site.

The city commissioned the study following two separate fatal crashes at the intersection [2]. The victims included a husband and a wife who died two years apart [2]. Residents and officials sought to determine if a signal would improve safety and prevent further loss of life.

City council members considered the results of the study during a meeting on June 2 [3]. The report, presented to the council on a Tuesday night, suggests that the current traffic conditions do not meet the specific requirements necessary to justify the installation of a traffic light [1].

Mayor Katy Brown acknowledged the community's concerns regarding the safety of the intersection. "We have heard from enough people to know that this request warranted thorough consideration and deserved a response," Brown said [3].

Despite the two deaths [1], the consultant's data indicates that a signal is not the appropriate intervention for this specific location. The council must now decide whether to adhere to the engineering recommendations or pursue alternative safety measures to address the risks at the intersection of E. Belleview Avenue and S. Franklin Street [1].

“A traffic signal is not warranted at the E. Belleview Avenue and S. Franklin Street intersection”

This situation highlights the tension between 'warranted' engineering standards—which rely on traffic volume and specific crash types—and the public's perception of safety following tragedies. When a study finds a signal unwarranted despite fatalities, municipalities often have to explore 'non-traditional' safety improvements, such as roundabouts or improved signage, to satisfy both legal standards and community demands for safety.