Crossing on the Keys

In the summer of 2012, the crosswalks at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Hazel/City Center Drive were painted to resemble giant piano keyboards. This was part of the downtown traffic loop construction. The City Project Manager for the Route 238 Corridor Improvement Project and members of City Council wanted to do something different and fun in the downtown area, and liked the uniqueness and innovation of the crosswalks.

Various crosswalk configurations were considered, but when the city staff members came across the piano keyboards, they were taken with the idea. The keys were a little more interesting than other options, and added a bit of whimsy while still serving their important function.

A survey on the city’s website indicated that people really liked the idea, receiving only positive comments. Since that initial decision, several more piano keyboard crosswalks have been added to the downtown loop. This one is at the corner of B Street and Foothill Boulevard.

This photo was taken at 8:00 AM on a Sunday morning so that there would be no traffic in this usually-busy intersection.