Our Ivory Triangle Safety and Community Improvements Project has won the 2026 GSITE Transportation Achievement of the Year Award!
The Ivory Triangle Safety and Community Improvements Project was completed by the City of Saint Louis Board of Public Service in the City’s 1st Ward. The project focused on the intersections along Ivory Street between Steins Street and Virginia Avenue/Courtois Street, as well as portions of Virginia Avenue and Schirmer Street that together form the neighborhood’s “triangle.”
The area faced several safety challenges, including large intersections where traffic control and right‑of‑way were confusing for drivers. During peak hours at the Ivory/Virginia/Courtois intersection, 68–70% of drivers failed to make complete, compliant stops. Residents also reported ongoing issues with speeding and overall safety. The neighborhood is home to several well‑known, award‑winning restaurants. Local business owners wanted not only to improve safety, but also to create a stronger sense of community for their customers. Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer worked closely with residents and was involved in the project from concept through design. Lochmueller Group served as the traffic and roadway engineering firm, supporting the City through the study, public engagement, design, and construction of the improvements.
The project delivered several targeted safety and community improvements, including reducing the number of access points along Ivory Street to enhance overall safety and reconfiguring intersecting streets with right‑angled approaches to improve sight lines and slow turning speeds. Two areas were reclaimed and transformed into new community spaces, directly responding to requests from local business owners. A new rectangular rapid‑flashing beacon (RRFB) was installed to cross Ivory Street, strategically placed mid‑block to provide direct access to one of the community spaces and a prominent nearby business. In addition, 14 new bumpouts were added and strategically located to shorten pedestrian crossing distances, reduce speeding, eliminate passing in parking lanes, and improve visibility at intersections, while also protecting parking and pedestrians in accordance with the City’s Traffic Calming Manual. This small but impactful project demonstrates strong community support and how government can efficiently deliver low‑cost solutions that directly address public needs.
