The city of Gainesville wants to wrest away from the state control over portions of West University Avenue near the University of Florida they believe are dangerous to pedestrians.
Their goal is for the city to move ahead with installing safety features for pedestrians and bicyclists instead of having to wait for the Florida Department of Transportation.
The City Commission on Thursday night voted to ask the transportation agency to allow the city to take control over portions of the road closest to the University of Florida, as well as take on other safety measures.
The latest pedestrian death occurred Saturday night, when 19-year-old Sophia Lambert died at the hospital hours after a crash on West University Avenue.